Cruise America awning quality

First,you made a good choice in buying a EX Rental. Mine did not come with an awning.I went with a Dometic 8500,a manual one and it is very well made and has served me well.

Which ever awning you have,protect that investment with a Awning Lock,cheaper than buying a replacement, it will keep it from unfurling while on the road.

Got my CA 28A MH this past May. Love it so far, no problems. I don't think they ever list them with awnings. Not on their web page or brochures. When I bought my MH they would have put one on for me, but the price was much higher than what I could have gotten in other places so we did not have one put on. After going out a few times, I am not sure at this time, if we would really need one in the type of camping we do. So for now we are awning-less.

Our standard brand (A&E??)awning lasted about 10 years with infrequent use. then started to show daylight at the seams and breakdown of white part.

We have a Carefree Fiesta manual awning on our entry level Jayco. Been there since 2002 and it's still "OK". Will need fabric soon.

It also works "OK" but I believe the Dometic (previous coach had a manual 8500) works a little better and may be a little stronger.

gotsmart wrote:
My Cruise America 28R did not come with an awning. When sitting down to sign the P&S, CA offered to install an awning - for a price. They did the same thing with the extended warranty offer. I don't do "good for today only" offers. I declined both.

Hi and thanks for many replies to questions I have asked this year about the 28a and gotsmart has replied. Agree with you over the warranties and that is what we intend to do - none the 3K+ will go along way elsewhere!. Looks like we are going to go for the 27G model now as layout good for just 2 of us and very slightly better fuel consumption

mikebreeze wrote:
I have had my former CA rental for about 3 years now. The resale units do come with awnings. I have had no problems with mine so far.

Thanks for all replies. I had already seen that awnings with good quality fabric came at a premium elsewhere. So expecting from CA lower grade fabric. Good to hear you have not had problems in 3 years with the operating side.

My Cruise America 28R did not come with an awning. When sitting down to sign the P&S, CA offered to install an awning - for a price. They did the same thing with the extended warranty offer. I don't do "good for today only" offers. I declined both.

I have had my former CA rental for about 3 years now. The resale units do come with awnings. I have had no problems with mine so far.

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(Things I would watch for)

Manual versus elec.

Go someplace and put out elec awning, then looking up at it ask yourself, How would I get it back in if elec didn't work? (Now I pack a ladder in the trailer for elec awning)

The manual on our cruise is better than my elec on our trailer as far as what a awning does. No elec means no elec break downs. Able to slant it better for rain or sun. Manual works better than our elec as far as what an awning is supposed to do. Rain or sun protection. Even though both awnings are made by Care free of Colo. There are different weights of fabric and models. The one on trailer is 10 1/2 oz. weight and fabric is good and strong. On the cruise, the fabric is not as strong, less fabric weight per oz. (thinner) And by the way forget about Camping Worlds "universal" fabric, much cheaper in quality.

But IMO how it is mounted or installed and by whom is a bigger concern. Cruise stuck in the bolts and no sealant behind them and had to re-do them.

When we got our cruise they wouldn't budge one cent on price. Our sales guy said this unit number has to go for so much and nothing less or we won't sell it. So we told them we would buy it for what they wanted, all they had to do was install an A/C and awning.

(side note) The cruise turned out to be best RV we've owned as far as traveling and short trips. We picked up 30 foot trailer just because the cruise became way to small on snowbird trips for us. 3 or 4 week trips in cruise is great then after that it become way to small. Got it in 2007 I think and have maybe $2000.00 total in things I've fixed. Over $900.00 was in front end alone because I know nothing about them and had to have it done for me.

Lots of info on used rentals in search bar.

(edited to make more sense)