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Awning Lights - How to?

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
We just upgrade our Fifth Wheel for a Class A and we went from a manual type awning to an electric one. Which I am already liking but next to the smell of bacon cooking in the morning and campfires, my next favorite thing is hanging lights on the awning.

Being vertically challenged, it was always easy to hang the lights before raising the awning, but that is not possible now. Also, I am seeing a lot of LED rope lights for awnings now.

Are there any good solutions for LED lighting that can be left on the roller? Or is it mounted under the awning, what are folks doing now a days?
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia
16 REPLIES 16

mgirardo
Explorer
Explorer
We have two sets of these attached to our 11' electric awning with cheap binder clips from the dollar store. Our awning is pitched. The bottom of the awning is about 7' off the ground. I stand 5'11", so with arms raised, they are easily attached. The binder clips come off easily without doing damage when the awning needs to come in.

-Michael
Michael Girardo
2017 Jayco Jayflight Bungalow 40BHQS Destination Trailer
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS Class C Motorhome (previously owned)
2006 Rockwood Roo 233 Hybrid Travel Trailer (previously owned)
1995 Jayco Eagle 12KB pop-up (previously owned)

murphy38
Explorer
Explorer
I used a set of LED lights I got online for about $30.00 and mounted them about 2 inches under the awning so they could be seen even if the awning was rolled up.

Hornnumb2
Explorer
Explorer
I got the wifi controller from Amazon, I just hated the one with the remote because you had to point the remote right at the eye to get it to work. If you use wifi on your phone alot while camping it might be better to go with the bluetooth controller instead. With the wifi controller you just have your phone connect to it like any other signal.

mpinva
Explorer
Explorer
I am looking at adding the multi color strip lights by tapping into the porchlight. I wonder, though where the controller will go. Maybe behind the lens of the porch light?

Kylesmith3021
Explorer
Explorer
Would you take off the outdoor light and pigtail off the wires..i have a brand new tt so i dont feel comfortable driling through it

austinjenna
Explorer
Explorer
I did the rgb led under the awning, just make sure that you mount them low enough if the awning is rolled up that you can still use them. I also used a wifi controller so you can control them through your smart phone


Nice going..now I need to get me one of these. Where did you get it at?

2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed
2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
Reese 16K

austinjenna
Explorer
Explorer
You could also tap into your outside light

2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed
2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
Reese 16K

Hornnumb2
Explorer
Explorer
You could come through the same hole as your electric awning or drill a hole.

Kylesmith3021
Explorer
Explorer
How would you connect it to a 12volt system without drilling holes through your camper

Hornnumb2
Explorer
Explorer
I did the rgb led under the awning, just make sure that you mount them low enough if the awning is rolled up that you can still use them. I also used a wifi controller so you can control them through your smart phone.

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
Okie1 wrote:
Bought a led strip off E-Bay for around $20.00 and stuck them on bottom of rail that awning hooks into, wired it into porch light. We can use them with the awning in or out and they work great. Been on for over two years with no problems....


I think I like this method the best, so do the LED light strips work right off the 12 volt system? I guess I do not need to purchase anything other than the strip?

I am probably jumping the gun, we have not been out yet with the Motorcoach, first trip is this weekend to Holiday Trav-L Park in Virginia Beach, I guess I can walk around and look for others where I can see in person.
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia

austinjenna
Explorer
Explorer
Bought a led strip off E-Bay for around $20.00 and stuck them on bottom of rail that awning hooks into, wired it into porch light. We can use them with the awning in or out and they work great. Been on for over two years with no problems....


Same here. Just make sure the lights you get are for outdoors.

2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed
2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
Reese 16K

Okie1
Explorer
Explorer
Bought a led strip off E-Bay for around $20.00 and stuck them on bottom of rail that awning hooks into, wired it into porch light. We can use them with the awning in or out and they work great. Been on for over two years with no problems....
2016 F-350 four door Lariat 4X4 long bed & 2012 Sabre 34RLQS...

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
We always hung lights on our manual awnings, but when we purchased our Outback it came with a power awning. Ours can be tilted down, enough I can reach the roller and still attach lights. But the electric awning is more subject to wind than the manual, so if if gets windy it means taking lights off, then on, then off, then on before retracting the awning. Too much work.

So now we just use rope light on the ground. Much simpler. If we need actual light under the awning to read or do something, we flip on the white scare light on that side, do what we need, and then turn it off and enjoy the ambiance of the rope lights. Besides, the rope lights don't kill the mood of a good campfire as the light is low to the ground and not shining from above.

Every one does it different, for us, we like just the ambiance. We actually like it dark.