I want to replace awning
Looking to replace my old manual awning with an electric one. Looking for any recomdations on what kind and where to by? Difficult?
Forum Discussion
We have a Carefree awning on our KZ. No issues with design or quality or use (except as noted below). It does tilt by pushing in the little button at either of the awning arms. It does flap a lot more in wind compared to a manual type so needs to be brought in sometimes when a manual one will stay put. If in a CG/area where a wind could possibly come up suddenly, gotta bring it in if you go shopping or for a drive. I think it's Carefree that has a wind sensor option that will automatically retract the awning. If you want your RV to look more upscale and sexier, gotta have electric. :)
The best thing about electric awnings is definitely convenience. They don't offer much protection from the sun so we bought a screen for it that rolls up with the awning when you retract it. They are hard to clean because you can't tilt them low like with a manual. It's dang high off the ground too and need a stepladder to get to it when out.
Our Carefree awning has made a VERY loud moaning/groaning sound from day one. Three trips to the dealer and they could not figure out how to fix it. I called Carefree and they were useless. Someone posted on the forum a few days ago that their customer service is cr*p and I agree. I eventually traced the sound to a defective gas strut so I bought a replacement. I've yet to install it because it's a real PITA but it's now moving the top of my to-do list.
The LED strip in the roller tube was cheap shite and a whole bunch of the LEDs burned out and the dealer had to replace it under warranty. Now, 2+ years later, the same thing has happened again and I just bought an LED strip to install myself. Hope it lasts longer, but we'll see.
We had a manual awning in a previous TT. They def. have advantages. Waay better shade and waay better in wind. Also waay, waay easier to clean!! The worst thing about a manual is accidentally letting go of it when you're rolling it back up and everyone in the CG thinks a shotgun went off. :R
So manual or electric? I'm okay with our electric and would get another. Carefree or Dometic? I'd go Dometic depending on other's experiences. Dunno about Dometic's design or quality.
The best thing about electric awnings is definitely convenience. They don't offer much protection from the sun so we bought a screen for it that rolls up with the awning when you retract it. They are hard to clean because you can't tilt them low like with a manual. It's dang high off the ground too and need a stepladder to get to it when out.
Our Carefree awning has made a VERY loud moaning/groaning sound from day one. Three trips to the dealer and they could not figure out how to fix it. I called Carefree and they were useless. Someone posted on the forum a few days ago that their customer service is cr*p and I agree. I eventually traced the sound to a defective gas strut so I bought a replacement. I've yet to install it because it's a real PITA but it's now moving the top of my to-do list.
The LED strip in the roller tube was cheap shite and a whole bunch of the LEDs burned out and the dealer had to replace it under warranty. Now, 2+ years later, the same thing has happened again and I just bought an LED strip to install myself. Hope it lasts longer, but we'll see.
We had a manual awning in a previous TT. They def. have advantages. Waay better shade and waay better in wind. Also waay, waay easier to clean!! The worst thing about a manual is accidentally letting go of it when you're rolling it back up and everyone in the CG thinks a shotgun went off. :R
So manual or electric? I'm okay with our electric and would get another. Carefree or Dometic? I'd go Dometic depending on other's experiences. Dunno about Dometic's design or quality.
