Do you find awning useful?

[Acei]

If you were to buy a new RV, would you pay for this option? Or is this just a waste of money?

[dewey02]

We use it to place items like chairs and bikes under overnight. Nothing worse than getting up in the morning and having to around the fire in a chair that is wet from heavy overnight dew, or ride in a bike with a wet seat.

There have been only a few times when the wind was so bad that we pulled the awning in. We use the tie-downs and de-flappers when there is some wind.

[DSDP_Don]

First, you may not want the awning, but it could be a deal breaker for most when you try to sell. Second, many rental RV's come without awnings (ordered that way) to keep them from getting destroyed like in the movie RV.

Your age and the type of camping you do can have an impact on the use of your awning. In our younger days we did a lot of boating/RVing and we would stay at a campsite for a week or two. In those days, the manual awning came out and stayed out the entire time.

Now that we're older, our trips are often longer, but we move around more. We now have a power awning and it's much easier to put it for a couple of hours and then retract it when we go in.

For those who stay in one place during the summer, the awning can shade your refer and keep the RV cooler.

[pappcam]

What kind of "new RV" has an awning as an "option"? :h

Also, please ignore the jealous bashing of the power awnings from the manual awning folks...:B

[bukhrn]

I am with the majority, I wouldn't have an RV without one, judging by the responses, I'd say you have your answer.

[Bobbo]

We only use our awning about 10% of the time we camp, but that 10% of the time, it is indispensible. I would not have an RV without it.

[wa8yxm]

I would pay for an awning.. I used to have PUP and later a trailer and on both of them I built awnings for them they are that useful.

Where I'm parked now the evening sun likes to shine on the RV on the awning side, the shade lightens the load on the air conditioners.. And the good thing about a quality A&E weather pro with genuine canvas, is this.

If the wind sensor works (It does not) it will wind up at around 15MPH

Since the wind sensor is a joke on mine (new ones have better sensors) I disabled it and tie the thing down

Wind gusts were in teh 45-50 MPH if not stronger range earlier last week,, No problems at all.

Neighbor has a vinyl awning.. or should I say HAD.

[Jayco-noslide]

An interesting question that I have thought about. The quick answer is going to be, "of course I want an awning" to shelter from sun and rain. However, the problem is that some of the times I would most want an awning (raining) it often isn't safe to have it up because of storms or wind gust which will damage it or tear it off. I don't even think about leaving it up when we leave or during the night so this makes it a lot less useful and more inconvenient than one might think.

[Terryallan]

Acei wrote:
How well do awnings handle strong winds? If we are hiking during the day, do they need to be retracted when we are not at the site?

We don't. We have a manual awning, and tied down it will weather 20 mph + winds with no problem. However if like last year at the beach, a hurricane comes thru, you might want to roll it up.

For us. The awning goes out when we setup camp, and comes back in when we break camp to come home. The rest of the time it is out.

As for if you need an awning. It all depends on how you use your RV. If like some, you NEVER come out of the RV. You don't need an awning.
If like us. You use the RV as a camper, and You rarely go inside the RV, You need an awning.

[Acei]

How well do awnings handle strong winds? If we are hiking during the day, do they need to be retracted when we are not at the site?

[dahkota]

Awnings are great to keep your rv cooler - they block direct sunlight on one side. It also helps your fridge, if the fridge is located on the awning side, to run more efficiently.

We always open our power awning when it rains - isn't that 1/2 the reason we have it? It has a wind sensor so it will automatically roll up if the wind is over 12 mph, so wind isn't a problem either.

Word of caution: if there is even a chance of snow, it is wise to roll it up before you go to bed. Don't ask how I know.

[C-Bears]

We generally slide a 16' sun shade in the track of our awning once we run it out. If we get high winds we push the button and bring it in, but otherwise it can stay out most of the time.

By having the awning out, plus the sun shade attached, it is like having a semi-private patio on the side of your RV.

If mine had came with a manual awning I would have immediately had a power awning replacement installed.

[the_bear_II]

There is an option....
Instead of a permanently mounted awning use an EZ Up type portable awning or two. Provides more flexibilty for placement and shade.

I'm beginning to see these used more often by RV'ers.

The true EZ UP made awning will hold up to strong wind gusts.

Most dealers/manufacturers put the awnings on so you don't always have a choice.

If given the choice I would not get a permanent awning but buy two EZ UP awnings instead.

[spud1957]

Lynnmor wrote:
A manual awning is useful. A power awning needs to be retracted if there is any wind or rain rendering it useless.

:h

I would say that you don't have a power awning.

I've had both. My power awning has an auto dump feature for rain so rain isn't an issue. It can be tightened down and tied down the same as a manual so it is OK in the wind. Doesn't matter which you have, major wind will damage both. Finally, I don't have to get dressed and go out to retract it.

[Roy_Lynne]

In the summer heat, awnings can help cool the rig, in spring and fall when it rains, it can keep the mud at bay. I really didn't know they were optional

[samsontdog]

bid_time wrote:
I would not even consider a trailer without an awning.

SAME HERE