Carefree awning failure

[Rocksride]

On another site there are several awning support arm failures on 2016 FW with carefree power awnings. My new still waiting for FW has a carefree and wondering if this is a big problem
Rock

[Rocksride]

Anyone here of the carefree longitude model? That appears to be the one falling on Jayco units and it is not listed on the carefree website. They list a latitude model but the owners of failed models confirmed it is a longitude model
Rock

[FlatBroke]

SoundGuy wrote:

FlatBroke wrote:
I had two electrics. One Carefree and one Dometic. The Carefree was far superior. I have a manual now and am just as happy.

OTOH, I disliked the Carefree power awning on our previous KZ Spree so much I had it replaced with a manual Dometic 8500 awning. Our current trailer is equipped with a Dometic 9100 power awning but had it been a Carefree I'd have either not purchased the trailer or had that awning removed as well. I'd personally avoid a Carefree like the plague. :E

The Carefree I put on was so far superior to the factory installed Dometic electric I avoid Dometic like the plague. 🙂

[Rocksride]

ZOSO
That is good to hear, hopefully the recent failures are from a bad batch of parts

Rock

[ZOSO]

We've had two coaches, both with Carefree automatic awnings. Full timed in both, so lots of use. Never had a problem. I have read about recent issues, but it would seem the manufacturers are installing them poorly.

[Mile_High]

SoundGuy wrote:

Mile High wrote:
Carefree has slow motors and Dometic has weak arms.

An overgeneralization IMO. I have no issues at all with my Dometic 9100 power awning hardware and the manual Dometic 8500 hardware is as stout as it comes.

Hey man - no more generalized than your completely vague statement, but if you want to base your RV purchase on the choice of awnings they use - go right ahead. At least I offered the problems I have with each, all you did was gripe. I've seen as many of those weak 9100 power arms fold in half because they can't overcome the strut pressure as I have failures on the Carefree. Your experiences and testimonials aren't the only ones out there.

[SoundGuy]

Mile High wrote:
Carefree has slow motors and Dometic has weak arms.

An overgeneralization IMO. I have no issues at all with my Dometic 9100 power awning hardware and the manual Dometic 8500 hardware is as stout as it comes.

[Mile_High]

Don't base your RV purchase on the awning manufacturer. Carefree has slow motors and Dometic has weak arms. Neither are ideal, or is one better than the other.

[SoundGuy]

FlatBroke wrote:
I had two electrics. One Carefree and one Dometic. The Carefree was far superior. I have a manual now and am just as happy.

OTOH, I disliked the Carefree power awning on our previous KZ Spree so much I had it replaced with a manual Dometic 8500 awning. Our current trailer is equipped with a Dometic 9100 power awning but had it been a Carefree I'd have either not purchased the trailer or had that awning removed as well. I'd personally avoid a Carefree like the plague. :E

[FlatBroke]

I had two electrics. One Carefree and one Dometic. The Carefree was far superior. I have a manual now and am just as happy.

[NC_Hauler]

I purchased a brand new 2006 Holiday Rambler Presidential Suite in 07' ( 9 years old), and just traded it for rig in my sig. The HR has The Carefree Travel'r. (21' ). awning fabric still looks great and unit works perfectly....This is my own own personal experience with Carefree.

[Second_Chance]

Our neighbor here at an Army campground this past week had the support arm of his CareFree awning rip off his new 2016 travel trailer about a month ago. The issue appears to have been with the installation rather than the awning mechanism itself. He said that the mounting screws ripped out of the side of the trailer and were only held in by what seemed to be small sheet-rock anchors - the screws didn't go into wall studs or backing plates.

[Jpatrickc]

I have 2 Carefree power awnings on my RV for the last 5 years with no problems. We run ours in and out a lot since I don't want to have it damaged by wind.

Pat