Here are my two cents worth, based on having a cased awning for 20+ years. 1 cent: Stake downs never work. I tried for many years, not wanting to mount the brackets on the side of my van. Finally, I did, and found it is much more stable. Triangle strength. My awning has been up when storms blew through and--an old bracket broke but not the awning. Yes, the legs are in the way, angling down to the side of the van, but it is worth it for the stability. 2 cent: I started with three brackets--long before GoWesty made any. The gutter rail took a beating--this on a Westy Syncro that likes rough roads. Finally, I looked carefully and--thought! The side of the bus, the gutter, is not straight, it is bowed out slightly. The awning case is straight, so flexing it to fit three brackets just adds stress to the brackets and the gutter. I switched to two brackets, and then to GeWesty's with the Rivnuts and I now think that is the only way to go. Two brackets with Rivnuts holding them from flexing out. Richard |
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