Awning Replacement, 12V or manual

BigDTx · 08-08-2011, 09:24 AM

We are ready to replace our awning and I am wanting to know who has a power awning and do you like it? Would you get a power awning again or go back to manual? I am looking at the Carefree 12V awnings, we have a A&E Sunchaser now but the arms are tweaked (from previous owner) and it is very difficult to stow or extend with the bad hardware, also our material is now torn.

any recomendations on 12V power awnings or really easy to use manual? I wuold like to have one that the DW can setup or take down. Ours is 21ft and requires two people to set it up. I like that the Carefree uses a crank handle to extend/retract, A&E doesw not have that option.

Thanks for any help!

Triguy · 08-08-2011, 10:44 AM

Love our power awning. It came with our trailer and is made by Dometic, I believe.

Easy to extend and retract, strong arms and the arms are out of the way when extended.

BigDTx · 08-08-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triguy

Love our power awning. It came with our trailer and is made by Dometic, I believe.

Easy to extend and retract, strong arms and the arms are out of the way when extended.

do you have a model# or model name?

BigRed · 08-08-2011, 10:53 AM

Power....only way to go !!!

BigDTx · 08-08-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed

Power....only way to go !!!

what brand and model do you have?

wayne anthony · 08-08-2011, 11:01 AM

Old trailer had a manual. New one has an electric. The electric one goes up or down with just a push of a button, so its something my wife can handle. Since I'm lo-tech, worry about problems down the road, and how much it shortens battery life dry camping. Wayne

BigDTx · 08-08-2011, 11:15 AM

can anyone reccomend a specific model/manufacturer that you have had good luck with, is one brand better than another?

Triguy · 08-08-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielflading

do you have a model# or model name?

I'll check when I get home from work, Dan.

dimurrrw · 08-08-2011, 11:59 AM

Well, if you like to visit the beach or other windy places, I think you will quickly find out that you can't tie down an electric awning or put awning de-flappers on it. At least as far as I know.

miatared · 08-08-2011, 12:49 PM

FYI

Dometic and A&E are the same company.

I do not know of any other company that do awnings, but even if there are other makers, I would stick with A&E - parts and service will be better.

BigDTx · 08-08-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miatared

FYI

Dometic and A&E are the same company.

I do not know of any other company that do awnings, but even if there are other makers, I would stick with A&E - parts and service will be better.

A&E Dometic and Carefree of Colorado are the only ones I am looking at. Thanks for the help.

flc · 08-08-2011, 01:40 PM

I'm really not one to like "gizmos" but , so far, I really like the power awning that came on my 2011 Flagstaff. I use it much more than I ever did my manual because it's so easy. I push a button and put it up when we drive off or go to bed. Wind can be a problem in this part of the country so I never left my awning down, tied, anchored or whatever.

BigDTx · 08-08-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flc

I'm really not one to like "gizmos" but , so far, I really like the power awning that came on my 2011 Flagstaff. I use it much more than I ever did my manual because it's so easy. I push a button and put it up when we drive off or go to bed. Wind can be a problem in this part of the country so I never left my awning down, tied, anchored or whatever.

do you know what brand and model it is? Thanks

TURBS · 08-08-2011, 07:22 PM

i have a 9100 series dometic power awning ! love it
www.dometic.com

dimurrrw · 08-08-2011, 08:32 PM

When the day comes that a power awning can take the same stresses as a manual awning (when tied down, etc,) I will gladly get one. My two cents!

TURBS · 08-08-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimurrrw

When the day comes that a power awning can take the same stresses as a manual awning (when tied down, etc,) I will gladly get one. My two cents!

i understand your opinion but heres my take ..... if you will.

manual awning.
undo retainer clips
release swing out lever
find awning puller
try 3 times to hook strap
pull down awning 1 foot
manually pull out arm thats stuck
pull awning all the way down
slide arms up and tighten knobs
ones stripped
raise awning one side at a time
oppps forgot awning savers
both arms back down
install savers
raise awning one side at a time
grab ropes opps forgot to attach them
pull arms back down
attach ropes
pull arms back up
grab twisty dog /awning stakes
screw into ground
attach ropes

reverse procedure to put awning away

electric awning

hold button 15 seconds .
done

reverse procedure to put awning away

i hope you can smile at this comment

dimurrrw · 08-09-2011, 06:02 AM

zaih05 · 08-09-2011, 07:14 AM

Hello, I'm the guy that's new to all this and through his own stupidity managed to down an awning on the first time out. (see separate post)

I had a 2007 version of the Dometic Sunchaser manual. Was easy to use and easy to put up, neglected to put it down, but easy enough to put up.

After a little bit of time on the web and a call to Dometic to try to find out the difference between a few of their models, ended up buying what they now call the "8500" manual. Keeping in mind this awing is something like 72 hours old, we are both pleased with the fit, finish and appearance of the new hardware. Seems Dometic has redesigned the side struts compared to my 2007 model. The new ones hug he side of the unit and have a great appearance.

I was a little surprised to find out different models within the Dometic line had very different mouning methods and different awning header track (is that what it's called?). In the spirit of staying with the idea that fewer penetrations in the shell is best, I went with the one that seemed to be the current version of what I had.

Regardless of what you decide on, I think you'll find that hardware has improved since the manufacture of the one you have now and "manual" awnings do not equate to he trip to the gym for a 30 minute workout they used to! :-)

Good luck and tilt or retract when you are away for even a minute! :-)

maxwell18 · 08-09-2011, 07:30 AM

Power awning with the rain drop arms

SaskCampers · 08-09-2011, 07:58 AM

Products - Dometic

This one came on our unit and it is quite nice. My SIL and hubby's K-Z unit has the carefree Eclipse unit. Both are nice but IMO the Carefree seems to be a bit sturdier. Our Edgewater had a Dometic manual awning and I will never go back to a manual awning siply for the speed you can retract the power ones when a storm blows in and it is just nice to push a button at bed time and when leaving the CG. VS screwing around with a rod to flip the switch on the roll and then hold the awning while retracting it so it goes back gently.

http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/ca...&categoryid=36

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