We have had constant rainfall here in Mid-Michigan during the past three weeks. Every other day when the sun comes out I unroll the awning on our travel trailer to let it dry.
About seeing awnings self destruct, well about five years ago we were towing our trailer, coming back from the north part of the state, someone with a Suburban and a travel trailer passed us on the freeway. We were doing 60 mph and he was a good 15 mph over our speed, and as he passed I noticed the awning arms moving horizontally. Told my wife I wished we could let me know his awning was loose, and about three miles further south we passed him, his awning was scattered all over the shoulder. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Every since then, when we use our RV, in addition to the locks that are provided for the arms, I twist a length of #14 solid wire around the arm for a secondary lock.