Slideouts awning with or without shield and??

[wellcraft]

I'm adding slideout awnings (3 of them) to our 5th wheel, I have read the pros and cons, we were almost about to place the order but then I called the manufacturer and they offered me the awnings with aluminum shields to protect the vinyl when close, it's a $250 price difference and was wondering if is worth the price difference.

I went to my local rv parts store where I was going to place the order a few weeks ago for the slide out awnings and was told I should go with a smaller size than the catalog recommended. For example if one of my slide outs measure 72", per the catalog i should go with the one that covers from 70" up to 76", then the fabric could stick out like 5" each side. They told me I should go with a smaller size and the fabric would be the same lent as the roof of the slide out or maybe 1" or 2" longer but never smaller.

When I called the manufacturer, since they recommend going by what they say, the fabric will stick out about 6"in each side. I would like to go no more than 1" or 2" past the roof of the slide out.

What do you guys think?

[downtheroad]

Shields...definitely.

Had a previous trailer without the shields...backed into a tight campsite with lots of close trees. Bushed against a branch and it scuffed and tore the awning material...Shields protect from this and protect from sun deterioration if your rig is stored outside.

[wellcraft]

It doesn't look right with that extra material, plus I'm sure it will sag a lot overtime. Now if I order through our local dealer, if their is any problem I can return the awnings, if I order the set with the shields through them it gets really expensive but if I order through the manufacturer is $250 difference and can't return the awnings. I feel like I should pay the extra money and get them with the shields but I don't want the overhang. Think I'm just going to call them again and discuss it to see what they say.

[fj12ryder]

I'm with you: a couple inches past the edge, 6 inches just seems like a lot of overhang. Mine are a couple inches.

On one hand I like the idea of the cover for protection, but on the other hand it looks like the cover would keep all the moisture and dirt trapped. Not that the open slide toppers really dry out that much when closed AFATG.