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we had a pdq when we went to devon ilfracome was mild wind which moment you started to put the awning up turned heavy wind ,, WRONG  thing to do,,blasted thing just wouldnt go up and we could see damage ahead so that never got used again.gave away in end .

mablethorpe took pyrumid  porch awning again windy so after couple attemps where wind kept catching we did without.while we were away bought a light weight one..

one of our most recent last trip away we  took light weight nylon porch awning lovely day put up no probs but still put up storm straps and ankered well..that night got guite wet and windy  we were on isle of wight in may .other people had lots of flooded awnings and damage but ours was fine..think if gale force wind was predicted we would take down ..you have to remember its tent fabric so fairly robust..its damage to van we worrie more about than the awning to be honest ,,

as for drying up to our recent move use to open out in garage now we are going have to cross that bridge when come to it..hang over line when get home seems to be best option ..

if we know that rain is predicted in night we are due to leave then we take down and pop in car its only size small bag when folded..

I have to say some of the comments posted in this thread are the very reason that we bought an Isabella Snowboy. Some of the lightweight awnings are fine for summer sun, but in the winter you need something far stronger.

Wer have the slightly smaller one of this:

http://www.isabella.net/uk/extra/tidbits/tidbits/newwinterawningf.html

and have never had any problems with it in snow, ice high winds or torrential rain.

It is, as they say, designed for winter use, but we tend to use it for all short breaks because its quick and easy to erect, and is such a great awning.

Graham. Your a rascal. Give my love to Joan.

Contary to most, we have one of these for weekends;

http://www.discover.co.uk/awnings/lightweight/1/harrgingtonssince1924lightweightawning/1

Having used it for the first time in bad weather this weekend in Keswick, wind 50 + mph gusts, torrential rain & hail. I was concerned about the warnings, but decided to take a chance and leave it up. Had no problems at all with the awning, in fact someone else on site had an heavy duty type and theirs got damaged, I think the fact that ours was more flexible was the reason it survived. The only problem we did have was the flapping against the caravan on occassions during the night.

Our Sunncamp Ultima 260 got trashed by strong winds in Anglesey in early September. The fabric ripped off the awning beading.

Mind you losing a lightweight awning is much less costly than what happened to the caravan next door. They had a stronger awning, but their awning channel came away from the Caravan side.  Ouch!