Forum Discussion

Campers5717's avatar
Campers5717
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017

Slide Out Awning

Hello we recently purchased a 2017 Keystone Hideout 272LHS. Many dealers have recommended we have a slide out awning installed on our camper. I am definitely on board with this as we want our camper to last as long as possible and of course keep that nice new look! My question is has anyone ever installed one themselves? How hard is it? I am fairy handy I just don't want to ruin something on our camper. Thank you all!
  • Two people and scaffolding is what they used to install ours...only a little more money after the cost of the awning and we negotiated with the dealer as part of the package deal and bottom line.

    Aside: my contractor friend always said, learn how to do something on someone else's house before you attempt it on your own house.

    Aside: lots of folks have installed their own awnings so yes, it certainly can be done.
    Congrats on you new trailer.
  • Easy job. With a 2017 trailer I'm guessing the channel to accept the awning is already installed from the factory so the hard part is already done. Sliding the awning in the channel is not a 1 person job and will take 2 ladders. Installing the brackets is just a matter of following the directions. Pay attention to the part about managing the spring tension.

    I understand most dealers will install them for free if you buy the toppers with a new trailer purchase. This is because if you do them a lot they take hardly any time to install.

    My advice: if the channel is there - give it a shot. No channel - pay to have it done.
  • Such things as a SO awning, main awning and WDH system are great "deal sweetners" during trailer purchase negotiations and the dealer should give you them installed for around their cost of the items only which should be close to a 50% discount and of course the installation should be free. I got a dinette sized SO awning (Carefree Kover III) and 1200lb Equali-z-er WDH system back in 2007 for $200 to $250 for both.

    Larry
  • Thanks everyone. It looks like I can get one from Camping Workd for a pretty good price if I install it myself. I think I'm going to give it a shot!