Power awning

[billmill3461]

How do you guys like the power awning compared to the manual style? I'm going from a 21' manual on the old trailer to about an 18' powered on the new. I have not picked up the new camper yet so I really have not had much experience to check them out. I hear they can be noisy in the wind?

Toughts?

[f6bits]

It's my first trailer, so I don't know how it compares. But I love its ease of use.

My power awning bumps around when the wind picks up, so I retract it if we're trying to sleep. If it's really windy, I retract it regardless to prevent damage.

[tdawg]

I have had both power is the only way to go.

[x96mnn]

Power is really convienant but I find the manual was more sturdy. The power seems to buckle at the joints in only a small breeze and have seen a couple that had been bent from wind catching them and blowing over the campers. Not having the solid brace that connect at each side to he top of the awning from my standpoint is lacking. All that said a good set of tye downs solves the problem but takes away the convienant bonus of having a power awning.

Just mt 2 cents with my last camper being manual and the new one power.

[Outbackmel]

1st, there is no bad news, all good. Would not go back to manual. Cannot recall how many times I had to scramble in the wind and rain, caught off guard. Now, any doubt, simply smile and push the button. No shouting, HELP, no pinched fingers, i am soooo goood I can do it with a cool one in my hand.

[raytronx]

If your moving campgrounds a lot then it is really convenient , in and out in know time, no sweat. I really like my power awning.

[billmill3461]

Originally Posted by Outbackmel

1st, there is no bad news, all good. Would not go back to manual. Cannot recall how many times I had to scramble in the wind and rain, caught off guard. Now, any doubt, simply smile and push the button. No shouting, HELP, no pinched fingers, i am soooo goood I can do it with a cool one in my hand.

Well I'm all for anything I can do with a beer in my hand! It sounds like I just won't be able to leave a bunch of stuff out under the awning like I do now; shoes, table with a small fidge, etc; just in case I need to close it up quickly.

What about awning lights? Leave them in the box??

[Javi]

Power for me, the only draw back is the wind... You must retract it if the wind comes up a bit... but even with that I would not go back to a manual...

[Outbackmel]

I have seen lights that retract with the awning at RV shows. We prefer rope light strings.

[rrohrer]

Convenient, yes. Does not seem quite as stable, but have not had any real issues.

[raytronx]

Also would like to add, I'm about six feet and the power awning arms on my fiver are nice and high so I don't bash my head on them.

[Jay D]

my camper came with the electric awing, if I could I would change it out for the manual kind. The frame (arms, brackets) are really flimsy and all ready had to replace motor after 1 year. Luckily it was under warranty.

[TAZ23]

I have had both electric and manual awnings and it seems electric ones come on most all new campers today exept the very bottom (entry level). I prefer electric because of the ease of use. last summer in the middle of the night one of those sudden unexpected thunder storms with lots of wind came up and I just pushed the button and with in seconds the awning was in and I never had to go outside and get wet. I have seen rope lights that attach to the grooves of the awning tube and can be rolled up with the awning. they throw quite a bit of light across the whole front of the awning (lighting up the whole patio area) If you want to hang little race cars or lanterns from a power awning then it would take quite a while to take them off before rolling up your awning. It can be done but depending on you camper it may involve using a ladder.

[SlowPoke]

I've had both, and prefer the electric on my new camper. Gonna look into the LED light strips instead of the swinging lit monkeys or beer cans (as cool as those are). I've seen some real snazzy LED color changing strips with remote on the BE-BAY for around $20.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by TAZ23

I have had both electric and manual awnings and it seems electric ones come on most all new campers today exept the very bottom (entry level)... .

I'm not sure I'd totally agree with that statement. Airstream is one of the most expensive "luxury" RV's you can buy and it comes with a manual awning. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but saying that electric awnings come on most new campers except the "cheap ones" just isn't an accurate statement. Manual awnings come on some of the most expensive and most noteworthy trailers available on the market.

[billmill3461]

Am I thinking correcty on the ones you can manually tip if you tighten up the knob on both sides that would help firm up the whole thing? I suppose that would take a ladder to reach both of them?

[TAZ23]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I'm not sure I'd totally agree with that statement. Airstream is one of the most expensive "luxury" RV's you can buy and it comes with a manual awning. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but saying that electric awnings come on most new campers except the "cheap ones" just isn't an accurate statement. Manual awnings come on some of the most expensive and most noteworthy trailers available on the market.

You are right but I was thinking along the lines of the most popular brands such as Keystone,Forest River, Coachman Dutchman, ETC. Those bands if you look at the various lines of travel trailers come with power awnings on most of their units exept the very bottom ones. I did not mean to say or imply that top of the line campers all have power awnings.

[B&T]

Originally Posted by billmill3461

Am I thinking correcty on the ones you can manually tip if you tighten up the knob on both sides that would help firm up the whole thing? I suppose that would take a ladder to reach both of them?

Yes, it will firm up but I have been reluctant to do that -- I might be wrong as I have not tried it but can see the possibility of damage to the arms if someone forgets and tries to bring in the awning with them still locked.

Ladder for knobs? Not necessary on our TT, possibly on a fiver maybe as awnings are usually mounted higher on a fiver.

[ThePressureIsOn]

Electric all the way. I don't know how many times I've had to run out and unhook everything to manually retract the awning. Plus, they have an automatic dump function when it is raining....don't ask me how I know this.

[billmill3461]

Thanks for all the opinions. I'll be able to mess around with it once the snow leaves Michigan and I can get the camper home from the dealer (maybe by June)!!