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?

[mileshuff]

Lynnmor wrote:
I guess that a self dumping awning is very useful protecting that which is under it? I guess a flimsy support system is very wind resistant?
Of course others are satisfied with such poor products.

We angle ours down so the rain runs off to one side. Same as we did with our older manual awning. Moderate winds are not a problem one bit. We do take the awning in with major winds but then we had to do the same with our manual awning. No difference.

[mileshuff]

K3WE wrote:
Now, what % of the time do we use it?

It's a bit on the low side- after seeing them get destroyed by winds and rain (if you don't set them correctly), I leave mine up except when we actually use it...and sometimes I forget then too.

So some of these people who never use them...they aren't anti-outside, and they really aren't anti-awning...they just do fine without them.

We don't leave ours out at night nor when away from trailer because of possible wind damage. Otherwise its out all the time and we sit outside more than inside. We like the shade or enjoy sitting out and watching the rain.

The awning also must be out at least a little at night because the LED light strip is blocked by the awning when its pulled in.

[2gypsies1]

We sit outside but we don't use our awning. Of course, we're not in extreme temperatures. We move elevation if it gets too hot. Rainy days? We read or find something indoors to do.

[lfcjasp]

Awning is a must for us. We spend a lot of time under the awning, unless we're walking around, at the pool, concert, whatever:-)

[Lantley]

Lynnmor wrote:

Steeljag wrote:

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

Lol....this may be the most useless info ever posted on this board!

I guess that a self dumping awning is very useful protecting that which is under it? I guess a flimsy support system is very wind resistant?
Of course others are satisfied with such poor products.

I used to think poorly of electric awnings until I actually owned one.
I thought they were flimsy and useless however I was wrong.
While the electric awning is not as sturdy as the manual,they can get the job done.
As long as your model has ample pitch they work fine in the rain.
In the wind they are not as secure simply because you cannot strap them down.
I used to secure my manual awning with ratchet straps. I was able to endure quite a few storms and fairly strong winds.
With the electric awning it's all about convenience. You don't have to strap it down like your going into battle. You don't have to commit to leaving it up all weekend or even all night.
If you want to use it push a button. If you want to retract it push the button. If you want it back out 10 minutes later push the button.
Putting it in and out requires no effort, just push the button.
No commitment,no straps, no De-flappers, no work at all. Just push the button. Extend and retract at the push of a button.
Extend and retract are terms used with the electric that refer to the convenience. I don't think I ever retracted my manual awning. I "Took it down." I retract my electric.:B
Going from a manually to an electric requires some attitude adjustment. But in the end,to my surprise, I have found my electric awning to be just as useful as my manual awning.
What it lacks in sturdiness and stability it makes up for in convenience.
Once the end user understands the convenience factor, the electric awning becomes quite useful.

[Lynnmor]

Steeljag wrote:

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

Lol....this may be the most useless info ever posted on this board!

I guess that a self dumping awning is very useful protecting that which is under it? I guess a flimsy support system is very wind resistant?
Of course others are satisfied with such poor products.

[Steeljag]

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

Lol....this may be the most useless info ever posted on this board!

[SCVJeff]

LarryJM wrote:

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

BUM INFO IMO

Larry

Wrong on rain, right on wind. Electric awnings have nowhere near the rigidity of a manual awning without external straps. We camp exclusively at the beach and I see the differences between the two all the time.

And don't trust the auto retract either. Some work, others don't (A&E). Strap it or stow it

[DSDP_Don]

Everyone.....that is EVERYONE, camps a little differently than the next guy. Some love the beach and sit out all day. Some love the mountains and spend the day hiking. Some like to meet with friends and maybe sit inside and drink wine if the weather is cool.

Criticizing someone for not sitting out under their awning or just not sitting out is silly. Some may think you're strange for sitting out all day in bad weather while their inside enjoying a movie on their big screen and sipping hot chocolate.

[toedtoes]

K3WE wrote:
So some of these people who never use them...they aren't anti-outside, and they really aren't anti-awning...they just do fine without them.

Very true. I'm outside a lot, but don't have an awning.

And if I am indoors when it's nice out, often it is because I'm spending time with the bird OR because I'm avoiding the social campers who want to come over and chat when I'm trying to read or just enjoy the solitude.

[K3WE]

mileshuff wrote:
I've never understood why so many people spend almost their entire time inside their trailer or RV. Might as well just stay at home.

We love sitting outside under the awning. Shade when sunny, covered in the rain. We spend far more time outside than in.

Don't take this the wrong way...

I agree with "outside is better"

AND, I love my awning.

Now, what % of the time do we use it?

It's a bit on the low side- after seeing them get destroyed by winds and rain (if you don't set them correctly), I leave mine up except when we actually use it...and sometimes I forget then too.

So some of these people who never use them...they aren't anti-outside, and they really aren't anti-awning...they just do fine without them.

[mileshuff]

I've never understood why so many people spend almost their entire time inside their trailer or RV. Might as well just stay at home.

We love sitting outside under the awning. Shade when sunny, covered in the rain. We spend far more time outside than in.

[mileshuff]

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

I find the same to be true with manual awnings. Neither can handle strong winds. Some are better than others.

[campingliz]

We tent camped for years before buying our first, very small trailer. We did not get the optional awning, and missed it one single day in the 10 years we owned the trailer. (Overnight in the "Devils Garden" at Arches NP.)

On the class C, there was no option. It came with an awning. In the 4 years we've had it, the awning has been used once, to sit outside in the rain.

Everyone's different. I guess we are firmly in the minority.

Happy Camping!