I would stay with manual instead of electric. Parts are cheaper and more available. You can buy parts for an awning arm on a manual. With an electric, you have to buy the entire arm (LH or RH). Sometimes you can get just the gas strut on the arm if need be. If you go electric, We usually try to match your slideout covers by brand if you have them, or we go with what would look best on the RV. Carefree and A&E are both good brands. Girard is good too, but harder to get parts for if you are stuck somewhere with a broken awning. Hope that helps.