A recreational camper wind restraint system and method that includes a housing connected to a portion of a recreational camper, a recreational camper having a movable portion, the movable portion having a compacted position and an expanded position, a retractable belt having a first end rotatably contained within the housing and a second end operatively connected to the moveable portion, a winding means contained within the housing for operatively winding and unwinding the retractable belt longitudinally within a predetermined range of movement defined substantially by the compacted position and the expanded position of the moveable portion, and an energy-absorbing element adapted to cooperate with the retractable belt to absorb energy and temporarily lock the retractable belt in a fixed position when a predetermined force is exceeded by a wind condition.