New Carefree awning on my pup

[Owen Stubbs]

When I bought my Jayco 1207, the support poles were all missing. Rather than replace all that, I opted for the Carefree of Colorado Campout. For me, the 3.5 meter (11.5 feet) was the correct length. I contacted a half dozen distributors, but the colors they had in stock were not very nice in my opinion See "vinyl denim stripes" here: http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/carefree/products?action=Fabric&tab=Patio.

I liked the newer vinyl options, specifically their "Shale Fades" (not much of a stripe person). I had to special order it, which cost me a few more bucks, but I am very happy with the end result. Hats off to Hanna Trailer, outside of Milwaukee (hannarv.com). I had to drive up from the Chicago suburbs, but it was worth it. Stopped by a buddy's lake cottage and did the install in just a few minutes.

Photos - click to enlarge.

Up in the usual position:


Yes, you can angle it for rain water runoff:


Support arms horizontal to show the top color pattern (Blue Shale Fade):


Plenty of room underneath:


Bagged and ready to head home:

[mcfarmall]

Looks nice and I like the color! Make sure you tie the outboard end down to the ground with some earth anchors/ratchet straps or it'll be flipped over the top of your trailer with the right gust of wind.

[Threebutchers]

You got it shining now....looks good

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

Looks nice and I like the color! Make sure you tie the outboard end down to the ground with some earth anchors/ratchet straps or it'll be flipped over the top of your trailer with the right gust of wind.

Thanks mcfarmall. I think this would be hard to flip over the trailer since the supports attach to the trailer, and are not "carport" legs (though it can be used that way according to the manual). I did, however, buy anchors and ratchet straps before I ordered the awning. The ones I purchased were the spiral kind that screw into the ground... such as you might leash a dog to. Will those be sufficient?

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by Threebutchers

You got it shining now....looks good

Thanks Threebutchers!!

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by Owen Stubbs

Thanks mcfarmall. I think this would be hard to flip over the trailer since the supports attach to the trailer, and are not "carport" legs (though it can be used that way according to the manual). I did, however, buy anchors and ratchet straps before I ordered the awning. The ones I purchased were the spiral kind that screw into the ground... such as you might leash a dog to. Will those be sufficient?

I've not used the ones that look like corkscrews...I use the ones that have a 1/2" diameter shank and a piece of auger flighting on the end.

There have been a couple of times when I've seen un-anchored roll up awnings with the big beefmaster supports get caught by a sudden gust and the arms get ripped off the side of the RV where they are attached at the bottom. A strong gust could exert 20lbs per square foot or higher...that's 1600 lbs on an 8'x10' awning.

[RoyBraddy]

Thats what I need. How much do they cost now...

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by RoyBraddy

Thats what I need. How much do they cost now...

The small ones (12" or so) were <$7 when I bought them at Menards. I carry a 16" long piece of 1/2" stainless steel with pointed end that I drive in the ground to make a pilot hole, then use the rod as a wrench through the eye to screw them into the soil. The same process is used for my tiki torch poles, they just drop into the pilot holes perfectly and I don't damage them trying to push them in the ground.

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

The small ones (12" or so) were <$7 when I bought them at Menards. I carry a 16" long piece of 1/2" stainless steel with pointed end that I drive in the ground to make a pilot hole, then use the rod as a wrench through the eye to screw them into the soil. The same process is used for my tiki torch poles, they just drop into the pilot holes perfectly and I don't damage them trying to push them in the ground.

What kind of soil are you typically driving those into? I have a sand anchor for my boat that is like an auger, and I often get hung up on on rocks... which is why I went for these cork screw types. Perhaps I should reconsider.

[mcfarmall]

Try the corkscrews and see how they work. They might be just fine for your application. Here in Michigan I typically use them in soils ranging from blow sand to clay and everything in between. I have camped in a few places that have laid down crushed rock as a camping pad and the anchors are useless.

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

Try the corkscrews and see how they work. They might be just fine for your application. Here in Michigan I typically use them in soils ranging from blow sand to clay and everything in between. I have camped in a few places that have laid down crushed rock as a camping pad and the anchors are useless.

Thanks again mcfarmall. I'll try the corkscrews next time out, which might not be for a few weeks or so. Perhaps I will pick up two more for a total of four, two for each side. I am not trying to ride out a hurricane, just don't want to lose the new awning to a sudden, unexpected gust.

[Rapidly]

Very interesting. Looks like the new awning installed right into the factory zip bag, how does that work? Also did you have attach anchor points for the side arms to the camper body, and do those come with the awning kit?

[Brownie]

Very nice, O.S.! It looks really first rate! Just make sure you can disconnect your ground anchors in a hurry if a sudden storm (with high winds) pops up.

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by Rapidly

Very interesting. Looks like the new awning installed right into the factory zip bag, how does that work?

Like the factory awning, this one comes sewn into its own bag and slides into the existing awning rail.

Originally Posted by Rapidly

Also did you have attach anchor points for the side arms to the camper body, and do those come with the awning kit?

The two wall brackets came with the awning. Very simple to install. You can review installation and operating instructions here.

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by Brownie

Very nice, O.S.! It looks really first rate! Just make sure you can disconnect your ground anchors in a hurry if a sudden storm (with high winds) pops up.

Thanks. And yes, I intend to be very protective of this thing in the event of wind, and remove ground ties quickly should the need arise.

[astrowolf67]

The replacement awning looks great! Our previous pop up, a Viking, came with a Campout awning, and, we loved it. Our current Qwest 10X, has the factory Jayco awning, with two piece poles, tabs that go in holes, pin clips with broken keeper chains that hold it all together, and takes a lot of work and help to set up. We just got the camper a month ago, and, will stick with the current one for the rest of the season, but, come next year, we are getting the Campout. Just curious, how much extra did it cost to get the fade instead of stripes? I like the color fade much better.

David

[bailee21]

what year is your 1207

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by bailee21

what year is your 1207

2008.

[Owen Stubbs]

Originally Posted by astrowolf67

[...]Just curious, how much extra did it cost to get the fade instead of stripes? I like the color fade much better.

David

Sorry for the delayed response. I did not see your reply until just now. They offer several new color options. Problem I ran into was that no one had the new colors in stock, so I paid a bit extra primarily due to freight charges. The awning is shipped in a cardboard tube about 6 inches in diameter, and nearly 12 feet long. Doesn't fit on a ups truck, so the freight charge was pretty high. All told, I think I paid around $450 including shipping. The older colors can be found for about $100 less, but I really hated the old colors.

[bailee21]

its very nice Jayco started to use a awning just like carefree now so when i got my new 1207 it works just the same i was planing on up grading it when i got my new 1207 but when i set it up i felt no need to do so ... will do this if and when i need to replace my factory one