Awning tie downs

Do you use them. If so what type? stake, ground screw type, or weights?

Also do you use snap pads on your jacks? Seems to me that they'd get in the way when folded up.
Thanks

We have the old style crank-up awning with self-storing poles that attach to the side of the motorhome.  I have not yet staked them down with ropes to the ground.  I might if we stayed in one place for a very long time.

When using the awning alone, I don't stake it down for 2 reasons... Easy to quick retract if a storm blows in, and to see the night sky and stars.


But if I have the screen room attached, I built it with places for standard tent stakes so that the wind doesn't blow it around. That keeps the awning from lifting.


The only time I use any kind of jack pad is in mud or sand. I have four 24 inch wood 2x8's always with me to put under the jacks if the ground is too soft. I sometimes use the wood under the rear duals if I must raise the rear end to the max jack length as there's not much traction left in the fully extended position.

We normally use 1" ratchet straps attached to screw-in anchors on our awning on our 3100.  If screw-in anchors aren't allowed at a campground or not practical to use, we will sometimes attach the straps to a picnic table or grill post.  We don't leave the awning out if it is overly windy or if a storm is approaching, but we don't want to have to worry about a gust of wind damaging the awning.

As for Jack pads, we don't use the clip-on type, but we do use pads under the jacks after they have swung down vertical.  We also try to put blocks under the tires on the low side or end of the PC so the jacks aren't lifting as much weight as they would if the blocks weren't used.
Gary

Free2RV, thanks for the replies. That is exactly what I was thinking of in regards to the tie downs. if it seems stormy, the awning is in. But even on a nice day a gust or two can be unsettling. I was just wonderine if anyone else was thinking like me.
And the Snap-Pads seem like they'd stick down to far when the jacks are retracted. I'm just getting lazy in me old age & don't want to have bend over that much/
Thanks to all.