We have always enjoyed the awnings on all of our RV's. My first two motorhomes had manual awnings which provided a lot of shade. I would also tie the ends down when it was windy and had no issues.
Our newly acquired coach has the automatic Carefree awning. This is also the first coach we've had with a curb side slide out so the awning is higher and provides less shade than the manual awnings we had. This awning will retract if it gets windy but I don't plan to ever leave it out at night or when we are not at the coach.