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johnnydp1's avatar
johnnydp1
Explorer
Sep 19, 2019

Privacy Awning Pros, Cons

I am considering purchasing an awning that will hang from the roll-up tube of our main awning, but not sure whether or not it will be worth the cost. Can anyone who has installed one please let me know if they are pleased ( or not) with their purchase? I see in the catalogs where some have zipped tops. Do these roll up into the main awnings too? My awning is about 19 feet long. I am hoping to reduce the sun's heat and have a little privacy as well. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
  • We bought ours at Harbor Freight. It's a mesh "tarp" dark brown in color with grommets. We use the hooks that slide in the track of the awning tube, to attach it to the awning. We use 3 stakes and small bungees to attach it to the ground at an angle out from the awning so it doesn't move. It works great for when you get the 4-7pm sun. We don't need it all the time, but it's sure nice when we do. I think we have less than $30 into everything.
  • I've used ours a couple of times. side was facing east, and it knocked the morning sun load down considerably. Also stopped the rain from blowing in under the awning
  • Guess I'll go against the grain and say that when it's 35C out, and the sun is starting to go down, it's nice having them for the shade.
  • Thanks for all the good information. Kinda verified my thinking that it was something where my few dollars could be better spent elsewhere.
  • I've known a couple folks who bought the screened fabric and such that hangs from the awning. After they used it once, they never used it again. They (all) said it was too much work to put on and take off. And you do not want to roll them up with the awning. You remove them. Anyway, that's what they said.
  • I don't have a custom manufactured privacy awning, but I did buy a length of shade cloth to hang from my awning for the afternoon sun.

    I think I put it up once, maybe twice. It blew too much in the breeze and it made me feel closed in. I don't mean claustrophobic, just it seemed like I was in another room and not outside under the awning.

    Also, unless your RV is placed precisely you won't get that much benefit from the added piece. Which is a bit more annoying based on the simple fact that you purchased it to prevent that.
  • As mentioned it will keep some of the sun off the mat area under the awning. It can also stop some of the breeze you might get. All depends on the direction the wind comes and which way you are parked. Usually the view is not totally blocked but is at least filtered. They are not usually used for short term parking.
  • I see a lot of them in Arizona......they fasten easily to most awning tubes......the zipper is about a foot os so from the top so you unzip them and the remaining foot just rolls up into the awning when its retracted. You do need to stake the bottom down....if there is any wind....and of course remive entirely if serious wind....but they certainly do help to keep sun off the outside living area under an awning...

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