Your opinion, please

SmokeyBear · 05-16-2023, 10:25 PM

1997 Eagle 24'

The awning is due to be replaced. It has not been open since I bought the rig last June. It is stuck solid. I took it to an RV repair shop - where I have all my work done - and they said the posts are bent. Believe me when I tell you it is stuck solid.

I am seriously considering replacing it with an electric one. I know that is way more expensive but being semi-disabled, the idea of just pressing a button to get the awning out and in is very attractive.

Any other pros and cons of getting a power awning? Am I being really stupid to put this on an old rig that is really not wired for it?

Thanks.

Lake Huron · 05-17-2023, 05:11 AM

Our 17 Northpoint 375 has a power awning. Love it! Never had any issues with it and it's used A LOT. We have a remote we can use to put it out and in but never used it. I've always used the switch in the control panel. Our camping friends have a newer Jayco 5er and theirs is more advanced, they can open and close theirs off their phone app. Pretty cool, but either way a power awning is the way to go. Our first 5er had a manual awning and it worked just fine. Never had issues with that either, but with the power one you just push the button and its done. Just my $.02.

**JFlightRisk** · 05-17-2023, 05:21 AM

I'm still a fan of the manual awnings. The major reason I found is the arms are made from heavier gauge metal, and less prone to wind when open. They are less money to replace, but that's just a perk for us. I can use de-flappers on the sides, where you can't on an electric one. There's no horizontal arm that runs along the side the edge of the awning material to put them onto.

When we set up, the de-flappers go on, and a pair of inexpensive Harbor Freight orange ratchet straps tie the roller tube ends down to ground stakes. The wind has to be pretty bad for us to roll it up.

I've seen more than one electric awning have trouble at campsites over the years. Just my thoughts on them. I guess I'm just old-school on some things that don't need to be fancy.

jyh818 · 05-17-2023, 09:46 AM

I noticed on our electric one we can't tilt it where one side is lower than the other to allow rain water to flow off like we can on the manual one. The electric one just goes straight outward leveled with the ground on both sides.

The manual ones are pretty heavy to set up, though.

Grumpy · 05-17-2023, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyh818

I noticed on our electric one we can't tilt it where one side is lower than the other to allow rain water to flow off like we can on the manual one. The electric one just goes straight outward leveled with the ground on both sides.

The manual ones are pretty heavy to set up, though.

It depends on which model elec that was installed. There are some that have the ability to be lowered on one side and also have auto-dump.

SmokeyBear · 05-17-2023, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

It depends on which model elec that was installed. There are some that have the ability to be lowered on one side and also have auto-dump.

Useful information but do you happen to know brand names of which is which? Since I can select what I want, and don't have to settle for what was installed by Jayco, that would be most helpful.

Grumpy · 05-17-2023, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyBear

Useful information but do you happen to know brand names of which is which? Since I can select what I want, and don't have to settle for what was installed by Jayco, that would be most helpful.

Carefree Eclipse

ThrashB12 · 05-25-2023, 10:37 AM

I just purchased a 2013 Jayco 31SS. A leak caused a floor problem but the price was right. It has a Carefree power awning that still works perfectly. The vinyl cleaned up well and the mechanism is good. Its also a brand that tilts one end down for runoff to where you want it to go. I was very surprised that it works so well. This vehicle sat unused for most of 10 years because of the bad floor. (it only has 5500 miles! ) I would check out the Carefree awnings available.

pconroy · 05-25-2023, 12:09 PM

Browse Colorado Carefree awnings or give them a call. We had a manual on our old one and an electric on this one. I much prefer the electric.

It's been trouble free for five years, knock on wood.

The *only* thing on the back of my mind is if the motor croaks, its a bit of a chore to get it back in. But so far that's just a concern; it hasn't happened.

SmokeyBear · 05-25-2023, 01:23 PM

So far, it's 3 pros, 1 con. I know this is a subjective question, but since there is no wiring already installed, do you think it will be a PITA - and therefor expensive - to get the wiring, motor, etc. hooked up? I assume the motor is built into the awning.

SmokeyBear · 05-25-2023, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

Browse Colorado Carefree awnings or give them a call.

I found their web site and just for grins I configured a virtual awning. I just took a guess on the length. Much less than I expected, only $838.

SmokeyBear · 05-25-2023, 01:43 PM

Has anybody actually converted from a manual awning to a powered awning? Surely somebody has had a manual awning go bad and switched to electric. That would be good to know.

mini4mw · 05-25-2023, 02:14 PM

I can't see it be too hard to wire up. Switches for the lights near the door should be 12v. Tap into that power source, add a new switch and a run to the awning motor. I don't believe the amp draw would be much (need to verify amp draw and pick the right wire size) so an easily run small wire pair should do it. I'm not sure how its run at manufacture, but to retro fit I would go from the switch behind the wall up, drill a small hole to bring it out right below the awning and run to the motor along the underside of the awning mount. Get some caulk/glue and hide it up there.

SloPoke · 05-25-2023, 03:27 PM

Since we have had to replace the arm on ours (the side with the motor) we have a much better idea of how the awning wires are run.

The awning has a channel in the arms that holds the cable to the motor. Near the top of the bracket that mounts to the side of the RV, a hole is drilled into the sidewall to pass that wire (and an optional awning light wire) to the inside of the RV where you place your in/out switch.

bobm · 06-01-2023, 06:44 PM

I was very happy when my electric awning broke. It was a 16 footer and opened straight out which did not provide a lot of shade. It didn't see very sturdy when windy. Replaced it with a 19 foot manual that works great and is much more sturdy in the wind. I also like that I can adjust the pitch lower to the ground which provides lots of shade. Manual gets my vote for sure.

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