To Awn or Not To Awn

Replace the fabric. Its not hard to do and there are youtube videos to show you how. Bought the fabric from PPL Motorhomes. Price was right and they where a wealth of knowage.

turbojimmy wrote:
I may be replacing mine this coming season from the same company (shadeproinc). Mine still works, but has seen better days - it's starting to tear from the roller.

I am also in need of just replacing the fabric on our manual awning and researched the same company but not through eBay. The company can be found at ShadePro.net - Replacement_Patio_Canopies


I was completely surprised when pricing for replacement RV patio vinyl fabric is only $169 - $249 and says on their website free shipping on orders over $100. I am measuring mine and getting it ordered soon as this is a lot cheaper than I originally thought.

AirForceAngler wrote:

rbpru wrote:
Here is a twist.

We have the typical power out, power in awning; it works fine, we use it a lot and it is push button convenient. However, I do not like the fact that it goes straight out and straight in. As the sun drops there is no way to lower the leading edge of the awning.

My niece had the same issue, so she ordered her new 5th wheel has a manual awning that you can set at almost any angle. Certainly not as convenient but a bit more practical.

The DW and I are thinking about adding one of the sunshade to ours.

We also have a power awning but ours can be lowered a bit by pulling down on one of the brackets on each side. I will lower one side a bit to drain off rain if needed. I am with you, though, I would trade it for a manual awning if I could. It doesn't lower as much as I'd like it to at times. If this one ever breaks hard, I'll probably be replacing with a manual awning.

The only mechanical thing I hate about our new trailer is the power awning. It only goes straight out and straight back in, and doesn't incline at all. If and when it fails, I will return to a much more useful manual awning.

Like others have said, NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your awning out if you are not with your RV. We saved ours in the nick of time during a pop up mountain thunderstorm in Colorado, while our neighbor who had left for the day had his awning beat up his Class A roof in the wind. I couldn't do anything but watch as the strong wind whipped the awning up and down; the force of the motion and the speed of the wind made it so dangerous that if I was able to catch the awning on the downward motion, it would have flipped me up on the roof with it.

Also, you should roll up your awning if you leave your site for awhile, especially in a wind-prone area. We saved a neighbor's awning many years ago when a wind storm blew down St. Andrew's Bay in FL. It took my husband, another camper, and me to hold it down and get it rolled up. Otherwise, it would have flipped over the camper and been destroyed. The owner was very thankful when he returned, to say the least!

And the great responses just keep on coming. These responses have been very helpful. Thank you.

rbpru wrote:
Here is a twist.

We have the typical power out, power in awning; it works fine, we use it a lot and it is push button convenient. However, I do not like the fact that it goes straight out and straight in. As the sun drops there is no way to lower the leading edge of the awning.

My niece had the same issue, so she ordered her new 5th wheel has a manual awning that you can set at almost any angle. Certainly not as convenient but a bit more practical.

The DW and I are thinking about adding one of the sunshade to ours.

We also have a power awning but ours can be lowered a bit by pulling down on one of the brackets on each side. I will lower one side a bit to drain off rain if needed. I am with you, though, I would trade it for a manual awning if I could. It doesn't lower as much as I'd like it to at times. If this one ever breaks hard, I'll probably be replacing with a manual awning.

Here is a twist.

We have the typical power out, power in awning; it works fine, we use it a lot and it is push button convenient. However, I do not like the fact that it goes straight out and straight in. As the sun drops there is no way to lower the leading edge of the awning.

My niece had the same issue, so she ordered her new 5th wheel has a manual awning that you can set at almost any angle. Certainly not as convenient but a bit more practical.

The DW and I are thinking about adding one of the sunshade to ours.

Been camping for many years with several different rigs. All came with awnings. Had so many close calls (sudden wind) that I stopped using the awning. What I do now is use an 8' beach umbrella in a custom mount that I can place anywhere and I now prefer this. You can have shade where the view is best. When we have a group, I'll bring a pop-up.

Norm

LaunchnRetrieve wrote:
So glad I posted this question! Such great responses. And some great ideas. I think my mechanism is fine, so it might be just the fabric that needs replacing. Still, Camping World was talking approx 1,000 to replace fabric. The mechanism work required in order to replace the fabric was why I sought someone else to do it. The videos I found suggested a huge mechanism involvement to just change fabric. I'll research that again. Will also look for a mobile service. If I can afford the repair I definitely want to have an awning. If not I think I can live without. As to resell value, it's a 2003 so it's resell value is already rock bottom even though it's in great condition. Thanks for the responses. Very helpful.

Go somewhere else other than Camping World! I avoid them like the plague, unless I need something at their store.

We love our awning. We camp mostly in GA and FL, and the sun/heat is brutal more than 1/2 of the year. While we try to book shaded sites, sometimes the sun shines through at certain times of day, and the awning helps keep the sun off that side of the camper. Our TT has an electric awning, our first one of this type, and it's handy to be able to roll it up when the wind kicks up, or it starts raining hard.

If you just need fabric, you can find it at a very reasonable price, if you will just search Google for a while. I found a 12' for $ 110.00. for one I had, last year. two people can install it, easily.