manual vs electric awning?

SCVJeff wrote:

Mile High wrote:
You can always shut off the sensor and tie down an electric. I think they fair better than the manuals anyway, as they billow up against the pressure of the gas struts instead of flapping and pulling on the awning rail.

The armless ones would be a different story - I would not try to secure one of those to the ground.

Exactly; they billow out!
So now the awning is out, the wind blows, the awning billows, the arms collapse against the side of the coach (those gas shocks can only do so much), and you have 12' (/2=6') slapping the roof, tearing at the TV antenna, whacking the vents it can reach, and covering the fridge vent., THATS why you have to tie them down or you meet guys like me with a rope and a stake

No billowing here........I have left it out for weeks and it has taken a few storms including one with gusts over 40mph. I still wish I would of went with the manual though.

I think the type of awning you have/buy depends on the type of camping you do. When we were younger, we would go on 1-2 week camping trips at one destination where we boated. We put out the manual awning and it stayed out for 2 weeks. We had two kids and a 27' Fleetwood Jamboree. We really only used the RV for eating and sleeping. Most of teh time, everyone was outside....under the awning.

Now that we're older and typically only stay 1-4 days at a particular place, it's much easier to power out the awning while using it and putting it away when done. If I had to open and close a manual awning all the time, I probably wouldn't use it.

Mile High wrote:
You can always shut off the sensor and tie down an electric. I think they fair better than the manuals anyway, as they billow up against the pressure of the gas struts instead of flapping and pulling on the awning rail.

The armless ones would be a different story - I would not try to secure one of those to the ground.

Exactly; they billow out!
So now the awning is out, the wind blows, the awning billows, the arms collapse against the side of the coach (those gas shocks can only do so much), and you have 12' (/2=6') slapping the roof, tearing at the TV antenna, whacking the vents it can reach, and covering the fridge vent., THATS why you have to tie them down or you meet guys like me with a rope and a stake

I have had both, I like the electric best so far.
This 17' was added to a 2000 inplace of the manual, as far as I know there are no sensors so I never leave it down when I'm not around. Mines adjustable.


awning picture
adjustable

You can always shut off the sensor and tie down an electric. I think they fair better than the manuals anyway, as they billow up against the pressure of the gas struts instead of flapping and pulling on the awning rail.

The armless ones would be a different story - I would not try to secure one of those to the ground.

I like my electric awning over the manual ones from past RV's however my wind sensor does not work so I can't leave it out, but still prefer it over manual any day of the week..

I have had Girard power awnings w/wind sensors for maybe 15 years. Most of the time they are an expensive ornament. BTW Kansas City is actually more windy than Chicago. On a nice still day there is nothing easier that an automatic awning. However my old manual awning was no issue for me and could be used much more often. If I was replacing a manual one it would be with another manual model.

We converted our 5ers Dometic A&E manual awning to Carefree electric. The Carefree Travel'r arms will work on either the A&E or Carefree 8' extension awning and tube. The exception is the A&E steel tubes, of which you would have to replace the tube - no issue with the aluminum tube. It went slick and we have been electric ever since.

The Travel'r arms are shorter than your manual arms, so you have to fill the holes at the bottom where your A&E cleats are bolted into the wall, but other than getting electric power to it, the mods were minimal.

The Travel'r arms rely on a track mounted to the side of your rig, and the awning rail for support. No special backing is needed. The Girard armless however is fully supported up by the rail and wall and must use some kind of backing in the wall. I don't think it would be something you could retroactively install on an existing coach without some work.

Travl'r power arms

I've had both and given a choice and price being nearly equal I'd go with the electric. Much easier to deploy and retract and you won't bang your head on the support arms. Most folks complain about the electrics because they can't tie them down like to old manual awnings.

However, on the ones I've had, tying them down was not necessary. Even in a good wind the awning folds in half after there's enough wind force to compress the gas spring. Then all the wind dumps out and the awning returns to it deployed position. Does the same thing when water ponds on top.

Changed out our manual with an electric by Shade Pro. Old awning was falling apart (10 years old) mostly sun damage.

New one eliminates those long bars one had to duck under, now all is above one's head. Opted for the aluminum storage weather shield, too. Fits neatly and cleanly.

All work was done in my driveway, with an appointment.