To Awn or Not to Awn?

We use our awning from time to time. Much of our camping is under trees so not often needed. Also we seem to have lots of wind.. Think we have used it 5 times the last 4 years but do open it often to clean while parked here at home. Has to be cleaned if you use it or not.. But I would not be with out one. But because its so small ,ours only 14 foot, doing it by hand and not automatic is fine.

Yes, I would get one but if you are not happy with their price shop around and look for a better price.. I did and picked up a rebuilt manual one with new material and installed for $550. I really do not mind using it for short times if needed but it seldom is..

pommyg - A big difference between those that use their awning and those that do not is how do you plan on using your RV. If you drive to a location and setup in a campground for several days, chances are an awning would be nice. If you drive all over the country doing sightseeing and rarely camp in the same place more than one day, then you probably do not need an awning.

We travel a lot in our RV and use it as a portable bedroom. Have only extended our awning twice in 11 years. Takes more time to break camp and wind is your enemy. Being camped is not the only time the awning can be ripped off your RV, but traveling down the highway in strong wind can also unfurl the awning.

pommyg wrote:
Wow. I wasnt expecting 2+pages of responses.

It is an ex rental and that is why there is no awning. After I expressed some disinterest at $1300 the sales guy came back at $1100 but for an 11foot awning fitted plus 12% bc taxes. Everything seems cheaper in the states and since our plan is to go to Washington/Oregon next week we might get one fitted there instead, on the the "grass is greener, or at least less expensive on the other side of the border" principle.

Good plan.:)


Gary Haupt

Our awning broke recently and a few days without it convinced me I missed it.

To each his/her own but if I have a choice I'm always choosing awning. I felt exposed, for lack of a better word, without it. We just have a good old fashioned manual awning. Putting it out and laying down the patio mat says "we're home (away from home)."

Your mileage may vary :)

Wow. I wasnt expecting 2+pages of responses.

It is an ex rental and that is why there is no awning. After I expressed some disinterest at $1300 the sales guy came back at $1100 but for an 11foot awning fitted plus 12% bc taxes. Everything seems cheaper in the states and since our plan is to go to Washington/Oregon next week we might get one fitted there instead, on the the "grass is greener, or at least less expensive on the other side of the border" principle.

I have only used my RV a few times and each trip included awning use. I say buy one aftermarket. Depending on size, they run from about $500 on up.

Jose

My awning has been out once when I did the walkthrough if you don't count the time it started to unroll while driving down the expressway. I don't sit outside in CGs so I have no need for one, but it came with the unit. And mine is secured with tie wraps thru the rain gutter to keep it from unrolling on its own. Whoever gets it after I'm done, will get a C that's x years old with a brand new awning. :)

I didn't know they made them without awnings anymore, haven't seen one, in like.... forever. I agree with wildwest, Wouldn't be without one.

we've been parked since the 1st/may in the treasure valley of Idaho. the awning has proven invaluable--reducing heat gain on the sun side of the rv and reducing the a/c load. greatly improves the comfort level inside and out. only caveat: if you will be leaving the unit for an extended period of hours and are located in an area of spontaneous winds, make sure you retract before leaving the unit. one evening as I was leaving for a meeting, I looked at the awning and wondered if I should retract. thinking my DH would be there in case the wind came up, I left. yes, it surprised DH and before he could get it down, the top got ripped. he has since completed a repair which looks good and should hold (hopefully) for some time, but we were quoted $200 for new and $200+ for labor to replace. high tension makes the awning dangerous and the rv service said it takes 2-3 guys to install. assume that's a decent price, but don't know if we are comparing apples to apples.

$1300 sounds reasonable but check around first. We just paid $730 to replace awning fabric alone. Old 18 foot awning caught air, inflated, unrolled and got ripped away before we could stop in a strong headwind at highway speed. We had a $50 awning lock device installed along with the new fabric to prevent such problems in the future. Our old awning was sun-damaged anyway after 8 years of Socal sun, parked in the driveway. Wouldn't feel like camping without an awning. The awning designs where everthing folds into a weather proof aluminum box are nice but expensive.