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pressure_welder's avatar
pressure_welder
Explorer
Jun 15, 2013

2013 Laredo electric awning

Good morning! hope all is well with everyone. My wife and I have currently just taken delivery on a 2013 Laredo 266RL fifth, traded in our 2003 topaz touring unfortunate we had to be rid of it, but we were getting small delamintation bubbles that would still pop right back out after a professional repair, first trip out will be next weekend with it. This will be my first unit with an electric awning, Personally I prefer the old manual ones BUT seems most are coming with electric now and it is a very attractive feature. My biggest question is how robust/durable are these newer electric awnings? ive heard many mixed reviews. Ive already told the dealer one thing I will NOT do is spend my camping trips worrying about the wind and this awning and if it gets ripped off then the manufacturer should go back to the drawing board. Plus we will be having our add-a-room installed on this camper also so during our month long trips at the lake "rolling the awning back in" will not be an option. Having said that our spot is very sheltered with trees. Just looking for some real world insight! it would be my opinion to that maybe the add a room would help tie everything together better and "anchor" the awning too. I noticed that with our topaz anyway, that awning didn't move ever even in the stiffest winds.

Thanks have a great day!

19 Replies

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  • pressure_welder's avatar
    pressure_welder
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2013
    - hone eagle,

    yes I kept on top of the caulking, stripped the old, and put new in every 3rd year yet we still have the issue. In more than one spot. I had a chance to talk with one of the technicians at the dealership a little more in depth. He said that with the weight of the add a room on it we will be fine as that acts as a big anchor itself. He said of course if a plow wind or something retarted like that rolls through the campsite then well have issues but of course I believe well have more than the awning to worry about. Like I say we just wont have the option to roll the awning in/out during our long stays at the lake. IMO if you have to roll the awning up every night or when you leave the campsite whats the point in even having one?
  • FlatBroke's avatar
    FlatBroke
    Explorer II
    Jun 16, 2013
    Had a Carefree electric and it was top notch. Had a Dometic electric and it would flop in a moderate breeze. Now I am back to manual Domestic and it seems a litter more solid. If something goes wrong with it I will get a Carefree electric again
  • rtazz17's avatar
    rtazz17
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2013
    I wouldnt put the add a room on....You arent supposed to tie down the electric awnings like you can with manual.If you do tie it down with straps you will end up bending and bowing the awning tube...Seen it before...jmo
  • hone_eagle's avatar
    hone_eagle
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2013
    I am also going from a manual to a power awning,my only beef with the power awnings is that they are smaller (extended).
    And my Topaz also had the little 'pops' in the gelcoat,its caused by the seam caulking letting in water behind the join.
    It will happen to your new trailer too if you dont keep the seams tight and sealed,I forgot and let them go too long before redoing them .Expect to caulk every 3-4 years if not sooner,and inspect them often.
  • Dtaylor's avatar
    Dtaylor
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2013
    There are several models in the power awnings. There is the one that just goes straight out and back in. There is a model that can be tilted just as a manual can. Some even have a auto dump feature so if it does have a heavy buildup from rain, it will auto dump the load. I find them to be fairly non hassle. As with any awning, common sense as to when to roll it in goes a long way. For me, when I go in, the awning goes in (at night) If I leave the campground, the awning goes in. Here in the south we get a lot of random thunderstorms so why take a chance. As for durability, I see no difference
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2013
    I think you are going to be disappointed with those expectations. All awnings require judicious intervention in moderate/severe weather situations.
  • cpaulsen's avatar
    cpaulsen
    Explorer II
    Jun 16, 2013
    I like my power awning for the convenience....push the button....and if kinda windy...use some tie down straps to anchor. If it gets too windy I just roll it back in.
  • frankwp's avatar
    frankwp
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2013
    I currently have a power awning (sorry, can't remember what make) & like it a lot. Our last fifth had the manual kind & it was a lot more work to retract & extend, so when the wind came up there was always an internal debate as to whether I wanted to go through the hassle of retracting it. With the power awning it just takes a few seconds to put it away.

    The manual one has struts that go all the way to the bottom of the side so I'm sure it would take more of a beating from the wind. But those lower struts were always in the way.

    So with either choice there are compromises. Myself, I'd go with the power awning again.
  • deleted-2's avatar
    deleted-2
    Explorer II
    Jun 15, 2013
    Mmmmm...
    I don't believe the power awnings are anymore durable than the older manual type.
    If anything they might be even more prone to damage.

    The old 16 foot Dometic manual on our last fifth wheel to me was a hassle.
    Had it out in a protected site when brand new and the wind still took it out :(
    ...and that was with the struts out and corners strapped to ground ties.
    Mother nature will always win out.

    For convenience I prefer the power awnings.
    Here's to hoping you won't see any damage.

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