My rig is 14 years old. I bought it when it was 6. The awning is so long that it had already bent a bit, still worked...and it's been incredibly strong but it's leaking a bit -- we get a lot or rain here in the PNW and it's started seeping through if I leave it out while it's raining...the seams are also separating a bit up by the door. and I think I'd like a power awning. My rig is pre-wired for that. Update: I think I've decided to keep my manual setup and replace the fabric. So...any regrets changing from fabric to vinyl? Is it louder when it rains? Does anyone do custom colors? Having a hard time finding solid taupe.Any info or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks much!

If I replace my power awning, it will be with a manual one. Let me explain why:The power awning is nice for the reasons you state, but it is fixed there. It goes out, it goes in. Period.There is no provision for tilting it. I wasn't paying attention one rainy day and it filled up with water. I tried to retract it to shed the water. No sale on that one. I stood there in my rear doorway with a broom, trying to push up to dump the water. The nitrogen cylinder let go and down it came, into the open door, flooding the whole back of my TT. 4 letter word. Maybe 2 or 3 of those.There is no provision to raise or lower it at the front either.Personal preference, yes it's nice to push a button but I will take the old style manual any day.Maybe some of the newer ones offer tilt, I don't know. To me, tilt is a mandatory feature.

BobsYourUncle wrote:If I replace my power awning, it will be with a manual one. You know....I was just leaning the same way. I appreciate the input. I may just replace the shade itself and call it a day. The main rod is bent a bit but it rolls and unrolls just fine. I think I'll go with a quality vinyl that I can easily powerwash. The cloth awnings are mildew magnets in this climate. This would make my life a lot easier.Thanks so much! :)

BobsYourUncle wrote:If I replace my power awning, it will be with a manual one. Let me explain why:The power awning is nice for the reasons you state, but it is fixed there. It goes out, it goes in. Period.There is no provision for tilting it. I wasn't paying attention one rainy day and it filled up with water. I tried to retract it to shed the water. No sale on that one. I stood there in my rear doorway with a broom, trying to push up to dump the water. The nitrogen cylinder let go and down it came, into the open door, flooding the whole back of my TT. 4 letter word. Maybe 2 or 3 of those.There is no provision to raise or lower it at the front either.Personal preference, yes it's nice to push a button but I will take the old style manual any day.Maybe some of the newer ones offer tilt, I don't know. To me, tilt is a mandatory feature.My power awning you can tilt to the side, you just pull down on the arm. One side the spring is weaker so when it rains it automatically tilts and drains. The motor did die after about 3 years, but a new one was only like $80, and took 15 min to replace.

wowens79 wrote:My power awning you can tilt to the side, you just pull down on the arm. One side the spring is weaker so when it rains it automatically tilts and drains. The motor did die after about 3 years, but a new one was only like $80, and took 15 min to replace.My arms will pull down too, and if the weight of the water overcomes the pressure of the cylinder, it will collapse, draining the awning.Not a good way to do it, only ok for emergency. And when that thing gives, look out! Better not be standing nearby. You'll be wearing something other than your clothes. Plus it makes a heckuva noise when it bottoms out, and then goes back up again. Not good for it.No springs in there, it's the nitrogen cylinders that hold it up. And they are both the same.That's the way the ones I have experienced work anyways.The weight of the water seriously stresses the awning fabric too. Bows it down like a hammock...

cannesdo wrote:Update: I think I've decided to keep my manual setup and replace the fabric. So...any regrets changing from fabric to vinyl? Is it louder when it rains? Does anyone do custom colors? Having a hard time finding solid taupe.Any info or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks much!There are a huge amount of choices there in colors and patterns. I have looked for my own awning, as mine is all stained and disgusting. Can't keep it clean or dry inside the roll.Lots of suppliers out there.

Ready for a new awning... | Good Sam Community

laknox
Nomad
Oct 06, 2021
While I like the convenience of a power awning, I hate the fact that I can't leave it out in =breezy= conditions. Given that we like to boondock, when you lose the majority of your shade, it makes a huge difference in the interior temp at the end of the day.

Biggest issue with adding a manual awning is that there's very likely nowhere to anchor it to.

I'd pay double what a current power awning costs if it were the equal of a manual awning.

Lyle
TXiceman
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2021
Lynnmor wrote:
TXiceman wrote:
We have one power awning and one manual awning. The power awning is used a lot more than the manual since all it takes is a button push. We never leave either awning out if it is storming, so< i'd never know if one of them leaked.

Ken

So then, in other words, it ain’t used. I would do everything possible to avoid a useless and flimsy power awning.

Powered awning is not cheap or flimsy. It just makes good sense to NEVER leave an awning out in bad weather or when you are gone.

Ken
campingkritter
Explorer
Oct 06, 2021
i found some super cheap RV awning replacement fabric here: https://youngfartsrvparts.ca/collections/universal-rv-replacement-awning-canvas
cannesdo
Explorer
Feb 13, 2021
It looks like Carefree does have custom acrylic replacement awning fabric colors...

https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/rv-products/fabric-hardware-colors.html
Then click on "custom acrylic"

I called Carefree and they are sending me a swatch packet.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Feb 13, 2021
TXiceman wrote:
We have one power awning and one manual awning. The power awning is used a lot more than the manual since all it takes is a button push. We never leave either awning out if it is storming, so< i'd never know if one of them leaked.

Ken

So then, in other words, it ain’t used. I would do everything possible to avoid a useless and flimsy power awning.
IB853347201
Nomad
Feb 13, 2021
Power awnings are soooooo much more convenient, faster and easy to put in and out than manual. And the vast majority automatically dump rain water. Smarter investment.
I would never go back to a manual awning!!
agesilaus
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2021
One fix for the water problem I saw on a vlog is to install one or two 1/2 inch grommets in the center of the fabric. That drains the water but you will get one or two streams of water coming down.
There are some excellent videos up on replacing the fabric. My current awning is a lot easier to do that on than my old brand was.
TXiceman
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2021
We have one power awning and one manual awning. The power awning is used a lot more than the manual since all it takes is a button push. We never leave either awning out if it is storming, so< i'd never know if one of them leaked.

Ken
ReneeG
Explorer
Feb 13, 2021
We had our vinyl awning replaced two years ago with acrylic and added the alumaguard to it for extra protection. Acrylic was recommended by our RV tech, for durability in both color and fabric, and the alumaguard keeps it dry and protected. Just as added info, this is our 5th towable, we've had this FW since 2010 when we purchased it brand new, and it came with an electric awning. We love it and will never go back to manual. It has a rain tip feature which works great.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Feb 13, 2021
cannesdo wrote:
Update: I think I've decided to keep my manual setup and replace the fabric. So...any regrets changing from fabric to vinyl? Is it louder when it rains? Does anyone do custom colors? Having a hard time finding solid taupe.

Any info or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks much!

There are a huge amount of choices there in colors and patterns. I have looked for my own awning, as mine is all stained and disgusting. Can't keep it clean or dry inside the roll.
Lots of suppliers out there.

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