electric v manual awning??

[gurn911]

Hello All,

I'm working on a non-conventional use of the awnings. I'm making a tailgating trailer. I used to have a 5th wheel that had a manual awning. I've looked at the electric awnings too.

I understand the basic differences between the two. What i'm really wondering, if used with a screen room (like a Buena Vista Room) to add enclosed space, is it too heavy for the electric awnings? I know some rooms are "made" for the electric awnings, but concerned the extra weight will cause the awning to fail. This will be an 18' awning.

Anyone have premature failure with their electric awning? Anyone use the Buena Vista room with their electric awning.

Thanks for the help. jim

[dieseltruckdriv]

I guess I am the odd one out. When I bought my new 5er, I asked if I could get it with a manual awning, and was told no. I wasn't very happy about that. I have come to love the electric, and my wife likes that she can put it out, where she was always nervous about the manual so she just wouldn't do it.

[gurn911]

Thanks everyone! Pretty much what I was thinking. I like the convenience of the electric, just not sure it's worth the potential hassle. I never thought it was difficult to put up my manual. Just needed to confirm.

jim

[fourthclassC]

I like my manual awning, now that it has new fabric. But I would like to mention, I worked on one of those slim line Fiamma awnings on a van conversion for a friend. I did not like the construction of it and it can not take any significant rain or wind. I was dissapointed because I like the way they look closed up on the vehicle and I wanted to replace my Dometic with one.. But not now after working on one.

[theoldwizard1]

There are a couple of different arm "styles", but all of them use aluminum that is so lightweight, I would be afraid of the arms bending/kinking with any additional weight. Most have such close spacing of the upper and lower arms is is nearly impossible to reinforce them, but I would try to do just that.

[cougar28]

Also the manual awning from what I’ve had is more sturdy. I have a electric now and and but liked my old manual better.

[drsteve]

dougrainer wrote:
There is no difference between Manual versus Electric on weight capacity for a screen room. What does make a difference is how easy it is to adjust the awning height to make the room fit better. Manual will allow you to easily fine tune the height of the roller tube. Electrics depending on the model will have a harder time doing that. IF I had my choice, I would always go with a manual awning except on a hi line motorhome. I have installed and worked on awnings for 40 years, and I can almost deploy a manual awning as fast as a Electric will deploy. Electrics are great for elderly or physically impaired RV'ers.

What he said ^^^^. Manual awnings are easy to deploy and stow. I view my electric awning as just another thing to go wrong. If/when it dies, I'll go with a manual.

[dougrainer]

There is no difference between Manual versus Electric on weight capacity for a screen room. What does make a difference is how easy it is to adjust the awning height to make the room fit better. Manual will allow you to easily fine tune the height of the roller tube. Electrics depending on the model will have a harder time doing that. IF I had my choice, I would always go with a manual awning except on a hi line motorhome. I have installed and worked on awnings for 40 years, and I can almost deploy a manual awning as fast as a Electric will deploy. Electrics are great for elderly or physically impaired RV'ers.

[wa8yxm]

I do not think the screen room will cause the awning to fail but turn OFF the wind sensor when using it or damage may happen.

Frankly if I had my choice (I have an electric) I'd go with manual