electric v manual awning??

Question

Hello All,

I'm working on a non-conventional use of the awnings. I'm making a tailgating trailer. I used to have a 5th wheel that had a manual awning. I've looked at the electric awnings too.

I understand the basic differences between the two. What i'm really wondering, if used with a screen room (like a Buena Vista Room) to add enclosed space, is it too heavy for the electric awnings? I know some rooms are "made" for the electric awnings, but concerned the extra weight will cause the awning to fail. This will be an 18' awning.

Anyone have premature failure with their electric awning? Anyone use the Buena Vista room with their electric awning.

Thanks for the help. jim

wa8yxm · Answer

I do not think the screen room will cause the awning to fail but turn OFF the wind sensor when using it or damage may happen.Frankly if I had my choice (I have an electric) I'd go with manual

dougrainer · Answer

There is no difference between Manual versus Electric on weight capacity for a screen room. What does make a difference is how easy it is to adjust the awning height to make the room fit better. Manual will allow you to easily fine tune the height of the roller tube. Electrics depending on the model will have a harder time doing that. IF I had my choice, I would always go with a manual awning except on a hi line motorhome. I have installed and worked on awnings for 40 years, and I can almost deploy a manual awning as fast as a Electric will deploy. Electrics are great for elderly or physically impaired RV'ers.

drsteve · Answer

dougrainer wrote:There is no difference between Manual versus Electric on weight capacity for a screen room. What does make a difference is how easy it is to adjust the awning height to make the room fit better. Manual will allow you to easily fine tune the height of the roller tube. Electrics depending on the model will have a harder time doing that. IF I had my choice, I would always go with a manual awning except on a hi line motorhome. I have installed and worked on awnings for 40 years, and I can almost deploy a manual awning as fast as a Electric will deploy. Electrics are great for elderly or physically impaired RV'ers.What he said ^^^^. Manual awnings are easy to deploy and stow. I view my electric awning as just another thing to go wrong. If/when it dies, I'll go with a manual.

cougar28 · Answer

Also the manual awning from what I’ve had is more sturdy. I have a electric now and and but liked my old manual better.

theoldwizard1 · Answer

There are a couple of different arm "styles", but all of them use aluminum that is so lightweight, I would be afraid of the arms bending/kinking with any additional weight.  Most have such close spacing of the upper and lower arms is is nearly impossible to reinforce them, but I would try to do just that.

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