Rv Awnings? What manufacture are you using? Do like them?

[scanzel]

I will be needing to order some awnings soon and would like to know what you are using and what manufacture you choose and why and do you like them. 

[Blacksheep]

Zip Dee

Good service
Made to order
Easy shipping
Pia to install (1st time)
2nd times easy
Good quality
Looks good
Competitive pricing

Ace

[jjrbus]

 The awning material itself is a consumable ie: will need to be replaced. The A&E is very popular so the awning material is less expensive and widely available.
                                                                   HTH Jim

[lostagain]

There is a 20 foot awning on the side of my bus. I don't think we used it once this summer. Maybe once or twice last year. Sure it is nice to have for shade and shelter from rain if you're going to sit somewhere for a while. But you have to watch for wind and roll it up so it doesn't get ripped off. Automatic with wind sensor would be nice but expensive. The posts block half the view in my right hand side mirror. It ruins the original look of my bus. I like a bus to look like a bus: I'm an old bus driver... Its on the bus now so I'm not going to take it off. But I would really consider what kind of use for the bus before installing one. Like if your're going to sit somewhere down South all winter, then of course lots of awnings over the windows would be nice.

JC

[luvrbus]

I have ZipDee manuals on all my windows and the great thing about ZipDee is the small arms plus they use Sunbrella fabrics so there is to need to replace the covers very often mine has been here in the AZ heat and sun for 15 years and the fabric still looks nice and I like the ease of operation, plus you can install the slide rails where you can walk under the awning without hitting your head on the arms. check with RV surplus dealers and Air Stream dealers in your area they may have some takeoffs   good luck

[grantgoold]

I have the 22 ft. girard (got it on craigslist!!) It is a really nice unit and works wonderfully. Hope it never breaks down as parts sound pretty expensive.

Looking for some smaller unit to cover some windows. Will watch this thread.

Grant

[WEC4104]

I have an A&E unit that I really like because the available curved arms make a nice fit against the curved roof of a 4104.  However, I have discovered that it is no match for protruding Stop signs when taking right turns to sharply.  Don't ask how I know this.

[white-eagle]

we have a 24ft a&e with a center brace.  also on all the other windows.  we use ours when we are doing a show and we like to sit outside also.  About $2400 installed.  i would not have camping world do it next time.

what curved arms??  ours are mounted right at the curve of the coach, but the arms are straight.  i think i would have preferred curved if i had known.

i like the looks of the zip dee much better, but i couldn't find anyone to get them from at the time i needed them.

for whoever mentioned wind problems, we sell a tie-down that fits the foot on most awnings so you can put the arm out straight down instead of back to the side of the coach so you don't hit your head.  the tie-downs won't pull out before the awning rips.  we kept ours out and down in a wind just shy of a tornado force just because i did want to see how it held up.

[Paladin]

Sort of a side question here, how do awnings mount? Is there any prep work that should be done from inside before closing in the walls?

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Dave,

I have the 24' x 10' A&E LA03 lateral arm awning and I absolutely love it!  Worth every dollar too!

Nick-

[WEC4104]

Awning curve...   Not the best shots, but I think you can see a bit of the curve at the top.

[gus]

The PO offered to give me an awning when I bought the bus but I declined. I think they look like hell on a bus and like JC I try to keep my exterior looking original. But the main thing that discouraged me was the number of different kinds of gadgets for sale to keep them secured. That alone told me they are a big pain.

I suppose they are worthwhile if you camp for extended times, but we are travelers and I don't want to mess with them.

[WEC4104]

I have actually gotten a fair amount of use out of my awning. Having only a 35 ft coach and traveling with a family of five, then are times on rainy days where hanging out under the awning is the best place to get some peace.

Also, I only have a single 13.5K rooftop A/C unit.  I have noticed that extending the awning to shade the bus take a great deal of heat load off of the A/C.  On some days, extending the awning is the difference between being comfortable inside or sweltering.

[NJT5047]

We used el-cheapo A&E 21' and have been quite happy with it.  The straight arms worked for me.  The awnings are 5 years old and look and work perfectly. 
I'll try to post a pix....sometimes this works and sometimes it don't!   
These things are Camping World specials. 
The awning is a must-have for us.  We use it as a picking room for musicians.  Love the awnings.  The window awnings make cooling the bus easier too. 
JR

[NJT5047]

May I add that when mounting an awning on an MCI, pay attention to your bay doors.  My RH rear bay door can only be opened 1/3 when the awning's extended.  Not a problem since the rear bay serves as the utility department.  Nothing in there that needs attention...typically.
You'll want to have access to your bays that are used as storage.  FWIW... 
If you want to see a rolled pix, I've probably got one.  Let me know.  When folded, it lays just above the windows, and clears the side molding by 1/2".  Ain't gonna get better than that. 
Now if you got Nick's bucks...his very nice awning doesn't have this 'arm' problem...

JR