Forum Discussion

tmmar's avatar
tmmar
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014

Dometic or Carefree of Colorado

Due to an unforgiving tree, I need to get the awning on the side of my coach replaced. It is a power awning about 15' long with a wind sensor. Looks like the insurance quoted for a Dometic Awning and I currently have a Carefree of Colorado.
Is there a difference, other than manufacturer, between the 2 awnings? Is one better than the other?
Thanks
  • I have had both brands. My last three coaches had Carefree awnings which served us very well. Our current RV has the Dometic A&E awning. Overall I believe I like the A&E a little bit better, mechanism is simpler, motor is faster.

    I do believe both awnings are excellent though.

    Ed Headington
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    There are physical diffeences.. In some respects I like both better than the other ones... All I can say is look at the two units in assorted campgrounds.

    Dometic (A&E Weatherpro) has one arm/bracket that is mounted to the RV, then there is one with a gas strut/shock and two more arms ..

    The Carefree has the multiple jointed flat extension (like a pop up canopy)

    The A&T is genrally "Slanted" down as it moves away from teh RV where as the carefree is flatter.

    As I said, there are things about both I like. but I have an A&E... Less than 100% happy with it, but I suspect I'd not be happier with a carefree. And modern A&E they have supposedly addressed my major complaint.. (Wind sensor) other than that I like it.
  • Doug,
    Thanks for the advice. That is what I was thinking also.
    Tom
  • The MAIN difference will be HOW the awning arms are mounted. Carefree and Dometic will have different holes. I have been in the RV service business for 35 years and I have seen NO difference in quality or design in either product. Get the Carefree for a hole to hole mount. Doug
  • Dometic or Carefree of Colorado
    Don't know about electric but with manual we never had a problem with Dometic in owning it 12 years.

    Got our latest RV and Carefree of Colorado nothing but a pain.
  • There are some RV Supply, service, and dealers that are not even selling Carefree's anymore. According to a friend that has been at an RV Supply store for 30 years, Carefree's quality has really gone downhill in the last 5-6 years.

    We have always been happy with Dometic ( A&E )