So does the auto retract awning really work!

[et2]

Just curious how well they work, if there's a delay perhaps. I was able to reallybtestbit on our last trip. I have it set on the lowest setting ( 12 ). Now there were some pretty windy days with some gusts I'm sure we're over that. Enough to shake the awning pretty good. It never retracted.

Is there a easy way to test them? It's a Dometic

[dubdub07]

I am a minority, I guess. Mine works pretty good. I always have it on the lowest setting and I think it goes in too soon.

WW

[et2]

MrWizard wrote:
mine is manual
and i just ordered a new front spring
so i have a question about how the electric models function
i've been reading and it seems there are several types
some that use the motor to extend and to retract
and some that use springs (gas?) for extent and only use the motor for retract
seems these go out faster than they retract
even some that are 120v instead of 12v DC

can owners of these types clarify on this ?

Ours is a Dometic. It goes out with electric (12v) and back in With electric. There are gas shocks to dampen the wind from blowing it around when open. Also the gas shocks reset it after it would dump rain water off.

[bluwtr49]

The girard work well and has auto retracted several times. I haven't heard of any being damaged by wind but I'm sure it could happen.

[MrWizard]

mine is manual
and i just ordered a new front spring
so i have a question about how the electric models function
i've been reading and it seems there are several types
some that use the motor to extend and to retract
and some that use springs (gas?) for extent and only use the motor for retract
seems these go out faster than they retract
even some that are 120v instead of 12v DC

can owners of these types clarify on this ?

[pulsar]

Our previous coach, 2008 Journey, had a wind sensor on the awning. I did not trust it.

Our current coach, doesn't use a wind sensor, it has a motion detector. I keep it on the most sensitive setting, which the manual refers to as "low," and i am very confident in it.

That said, if we are leaving for a period of time, I do not leave the awning out.

Tom

[sehunter]

Mine does work and have seen it retract but having said that I think it's too slow in retract mode and there's a chance it can billow and destroyed. So if I leave I bring it now.

[creeper]

I only have the awning fully out when we are using it. I'll put it out a couple of feet sometimes for shade. Never trust the auto feature.

[Blaster_Man]

They work but are very slow. If a gust starts the retraction, a second gust could destroy the awning as it's slowly coming in. If windy or wind is anticipated, I don't use the awning.

[Donna_and_Rob]

Our auto retract quit working with the previous owner so I have to manually retract. Well as you can see I didn't get to it in time, one arm broke off and scratched up and down on the side of the coach a couple of times before I got it wound up. Getting it replaced tomorrow. $ 3800.00

[summerhouse]

We had a wind sensor on our last coach. I think it auto retracted a couple times. 99.9% of the time I retract our awning at the first hint of wind starting up. Our new coach doesn't have a wind sensor, and I don't miss it at all. My sensor is way less tolerant! Lol!

[roam1]

Mine is often retracted when I return
I set it to the lowest setting

[Executive45]

There are several brands of awnings and each has it's good points and it's faults. We have a Girard and it works as it's supposed to. My control box has a small screw that adjusts for wind speed. That said, with any electronic device, you have to feel lucky most days. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. I usually leave mine out a couple feet to shade the window unless I'm under it. Being open only a little cuts back on the billowing effect from the wind yet it will retract if it blows hard enough.

The anemometer on the roof generates an electric pulse when spinning which triggers the retract mechanism. It must spin at a continuous motion in order to generate that electricity.....Dennis

[A1B00902]

If you open the control box, you can adjust at what wind speed the awning will retract, I think there are 4 wind speed settings

[wallynm]

Yes but we always roll it up when leave.