which awning to get

SoundGuy wrote:

Dennis Smith wrote:
Do not get a manual, get electric.

Been there, done that, and the downside is the mounting holes for an electric awning won't be in the same location as the original holes for a manual awning. It's not the end of the world but any holes not used must be properly sealed against any water intrusion. That said, if the OP wants a manual awning (which presumably he does because that's what he asked about) I'd recommend the good ol' A&E Dometic 8500 which has been in production for years and is still IMO the best manual awning available.

We had the 8500 for 4 years on our previous camper with no mechanical problems. Would have one again, but I really like the Lippert electric one on our present camper.

We had 2 electric awnings on our previous RV. The Carefree and dometic awnings leave alot to be desired in design. As a result of the awnings leaving us stranded, would not retract, I put a manual one on. It would be a deal breaker for us if we could not order an RV without an electric awning.

DE88ROX wrote:
Friends that we camp with have an electric. He hasn't come right out and said it, but I would dare say he would go manual if he ever got the chance.

"Got the chance"? If your friend dislikes his electric awning so much all it takes is ordering a manual awning and opening his wallet to pay for it. :W


Here's the original Carefree of Colorado electric awning that came already installed on our KZ Spree ...



Here's the A&E Dometic 8500 manual awning I installed to replace that awful Carefree ...

Friends that we camp with have an electric. He hasn't come right out and said it, but I would dare say he would go manual if he ever got the chance.

*He doesn't like it for cleaning because there is virtually no pitch to it.
*Slightest breeze and it moves/rattles.
*Mounts really high on his trailer, thus lack of shade and or shelter from rain.
*Between the struts and the motor, its just one more thing that can break.

He is like me, in thinking the awning creates an outdoor living space and its deployed the entire time we're camping. No matter the weather, we are outside, so we need the awning. Pretty much the only time we are inside our trailer is for sleeping.

rbpru wrote:
Some of the newer electrics do drop down to block the sun but I do not know how much.

Our KZ Spree came with a horrible Carefree of Colorado electric awning with zero tilt. As part of the purchase agreement our dealer agreed to replace it with a manual A&E Dometic 8500, the only stipulation being I wait until the fall when his service dept wasn't quite so busy. That gave me 6 months to try out the Carefree and I couldn't wait to get rid of it ... enjoyed having the 8500 for the remaining 5 yrs we owned that trailer. Our current Coachmen came with a Dometic 9100 electric awning and it works just fine, tilts fine, no issues at all, and of course all it takes is the push of a button to extend or retract it. :B

We have an electric awning and it goes straight out. You cannot drop it down to block the sun. It is very annoying as you have to add an additional sun screen to it.

Some of the newer electrics do drop down to block the sun but I do not know how much.

I find the electric much handier to use but would trade in a minute for one I could lower to block the sun.

My experience:

We have an electric awning. Used to have a manual on another TT. The electric ones don't slope downhill as much and don't give as much shade. Ours is waay above the ground and is next to useless for shade. Rain can be a problem if you forget to tip it down at one end. Wind is definitely an issue and gusts can come up out of nowhere while you are out sightseeing. Carefree has an optional wind sensor. Our electric awning is a real b*tch to clean due to height and low slope. Currently have a bunch of tree needles stuck to underside and topside that I've been avoiding cleaning. Pffft...

Tilting our electric awning down is a PITA. If you don't have entry stairs next to the vertical track, you may need a stool or stepladder. Fortunately we have a bedroom entry door also and can reach either track by standing on the entry stairs. Hanging decorative lights off the track is a challenge due to height off the ground.

I *think* some electric ones are better than others. Can't beat manual anything for reliability, esp. an awning. Not entirely sure which I'd get again tho. Electric is so convenient for folks in the older age category. At least they're easy to retract late at night or when it's cold and rainy.

Our Carefree of Colorado electric awning has made a really loud moaning/groaning sound when it's retracted or extended for 2 years from new. Three trips to the dealer could not fix it. Contacted Carefree and no help there either and were kinda like "we dunno why it would do that". One gas strut is defective internally and I just recently bought a used one off ebay as they are expensive new. Not impressed with Carefree's support or our dealer. Replacing the gas strut is not exactly an easy job...

Dennis Smith wrote:
Do not get a manual, get electric.

Been there, done that, and the downside is the mounting holes for an electric awning won't be in the same location as the original holes for a manual awning. It's not the end of the world but any holes not used must be properly sealed against any water intrusion. That said, if the OP wants a manual awning (which presumably he does because that's what he asked about) I'd recommend the good ol' A&E Dometic 8500 which has been in production for years and is still IMO the best manual awning available.

Do not get electric, get manual. With any kind of breeze you can't use an electric one. Almost never use my stupid electric awning.

Do not get a manual, get electric. Will never go back. With electric, we will use it for 30 minutes, a manual we would never put it out for that short of a time. Electric is the only way to go.....