Awning arm broke while parked - what if on the road!!

[Frznrth]

Hi
I parked my 2 year old bullet last week. Couple days later I noticed the awning jutting out. The very bottom of the arm had broken off where the pin connects it to the bracket on the trailer. I took the part into my dealer and the parts guy said that it wouldn't be a problem to get the piece that he has seen this before. These things brake often??!! If it would have happened when I was towing it the arm would have jutted out into traffic - wonder if the awning would have even started to unroll.

Anyone else have this happen. This is a crappy potentially dangerous design. Any ideas how to secure the arm when travelling? I don't see a way to get a strap behind the mounting.

Thanks for your time.