OPENROAD 270 Freestanding Awning
——Wind Testing
Real-world, multi‑day wind testing in open Australian conditions. Transparent data. Practical recommendations.
Ratings are conservatively derived from repeated tests in specific conditions. Always secure with legs, guy ropes, and ground anchors after deployment.
Performance tested for your peace of mind
At OPENROAD, we build gear for people who actually use it—drivers who chase weekends, camp in real weather, and need kit that won’t let them down. Over the past two years we’ve refined our latest 270 freestanding awning (alongside our 270 Plus and 180). But belief isn’t enough—you deserve certainty—so we wind-tested our awnings in real conditions.
We set out to learn exactly where, how, and at what wind speeds stress shows up and components fail, so we could publish a clear, conservative wind rating. The goal is simple: help you protect your rig and camp with confidence.
Testing ground and equipments
Armed with a calibrated, data-logging anemometer, we recorded wind at awning-edge height—not just rough weather app numbers. Beside our Melbourne warehouse, across a month of windy days, we logged averages, peak gusts, wind angles and ground types, and we captured photo/video evidence for every session.
Each test was cross-checked against local meteorological observations for greater Melbourne to characterise the day’s conditions. We standardised rack type, bar spacing and torque, then rotated through Freestanding, Legs-only, and Pegged (legs + guy ropes + anchors) setups across multiple awnings to verify repeatability.
We deliberately targeted high-wind days to push the limits. Afterwards, we compared the records to confirm the practical ratings we publish and to refine real-world guidance—like when freestanding is no longer wise, which anchors hold best on soft grass vs firm ground, and why pegging down immediately after setup is the smart move.
Results & interpretation
Transparency Data
V_fail(c, g, i) — peak gust (km/h) at which the first irreversible failure occurs for configuration c (Freestanding / Pegged), on ground type g, test run i.
Failure = arm/frame permanent deformation or (for Pegged) anchor pull-out.
G — the set of tested ground types (e.g., soft turf, coastal sand, compacted clay/hardpan, lateritic gravel).
N_g — number of failure samples on ground g.
mean_g(c) — mean failure gust for configuration c on ground g:
mean_g(c) = (1/N_g) * Σ_i V_fail(c, g, i)
P10_g(c) — 10th-percentile failure gust for configuration c on ground g.
V_final(c) = min( V_A(c), V_B(c) )
V_final(c) = min( V_A(c), V_B(c) )
q [Pa] = 0.5 × ρ × (v_ms)^2 ≈ 0.613 × (v_ms)^2
v_ms = v_kmh / 3.6
so
q [Pa] ≈ 0.0473 × (v_kmh)^2
so
q [Pa] ≈ 0.0473 × (v_kmh)^2
Freestanding: mean_g(FS) (worst ground) ≈ 44 km/h → 0.70 × 44 = 30.8 → floor5 → 30 km/h.
Pegged:
Pegged:
mean_g(Pegged) (worst ground) ≈ 92 km/h → 0.70 × 92 = 64.4 → floor5 → 60 km/h.
Observed Behaviour
Freestanding: Noticeable arm/fabric oscillation as gusts approach the mid-40s (km/h), with risk of permanent deformation at/near that band.
Pegged: Stability improves markedly. On soft grass, first failure mode is typically anchor pull-out under peak gusts; on firm ground, pegged performance is substantially higher before any component distress.
The best choice for adventurers
OPENROAD Promise
After a month of open-air wind trials beside our Melbourne warehouse, our 270 freestanding awning proved its mettle.
In freestanding mode, average breaking gusts clustered in the mid-40s km/h. When pegged correctly (legs + guy ropes + suitable anchors), units rode through 90+ km/h gusts before any component distress.
On soft turf, the first thing to give wasn’t the frame—it was anchors pulling out under extreme gusts. On firmer ground, especially with longer or screw-in anchors, the system handled even higher loads.
Simple Rules for adventurers
Always peg down. Weather turns fast; short, sharp gusts can arrive without warning—even on “calm” forecasts.
Match anchors to the ground. Soft turf/sand: long screw-in or sand anchors (or a buried deadman). Firm clay/hardpan: spiral/expansion anchors. Rocky ground: mechanical anchors—or relocate.
Mind wind angle & walls. Head-on gusts hit harder than crosswinds; side-walls add sail area. If walls are up, lower your threshold and add extra anchors.
What our customers say
Hail
Heavy Rain
Ms Hope
I can update you but my car has a lot of hail damage, so I will have to update everyone on my future car situation, it’s still drivable, but it just depends what my insurance says
here’s no damage to the awning either, it held up amazing! There was a lot in the bin and broken awnings on caravans ect, very impressive guys!!
Liam Harris
"I was amazed! I left the awning up during heavy rain and didn’t get a chance to take it down. When I went to pack it away, I found it still standing strong, perfectly intact. It truly withstood the storm, and I couldn’t believe how well it held up! Very impressed!
