Awning materials- What's best??

[Chaz]

Hey guys,
  In my search for a canopy/material for my awning, and how to put it on my bus, (my other thread) I have come up with yet another question............ go figure.       I thought I'd start another thread so others will know I'm on a little different subject here.

  Anyway, I think I am just going to do the vinyl with the weather guard at the top but I'm told "not all manufacturers materials are created equal"......... again, go figure. 
I was told that the Carefree material is not as good as the A&E material and that A&E "welds" their weather guard to the top as opposed to some independent shops sewing it. What's your take?? ?? ??
I also found that the Aluma Guard (aluminum strips at the top) doesn't work well on vinyl as it will rip out, but works great on the "cloth-like" stuff. (polyweave fabric)
So, what do you think??
I am definitely shopping price but I don't want to buy junk either.............and again... go figure.   This could definitely turn out to be a lesson in futility but unfortunately, it's a necessity right now. I'd like to get an awning on my bus but it's not the end of the world if I can't afford it right now.
So what's your take? What experiences have you had? Drawbacks? Pluses?

Thanx for your time!
  Chaz

[robertglines1]

I bought a 21 ft from rv surplus (new) for 300$..she can get material only for U also  RV surplus and salvage Elkhart Ind...

[Bill B /bus]

There are, of course, several ways to do the awnings.

Vinyl - Rain and waterproof. More prone to mildew. Must be dry to put away, no dew, or you will see the dreaded black spots. Maybe ten year fabric life if cared for carefully.

Acrylic - Rain resistant, as in the old tents "Don't touch the water droplets or the leak will start."  Dries quickly. Less prone to mildew. Should get at least ten years of fabric life. Easier to clean. Spray with cleaning solution. Close awning. After 15-20 mins pull out and rinse. As a sun shade much better than the vinyl as the fabric breathes which means less heat retained underneath.

Weathershield - Recommended. One branch coming in the campground and you've paid for the aluminum shield. Protects from sun and rain.

Arms - We used the Airstream arms from Dometic (A&E). The arms are curved for the top 12-14". This puts the awning up on the roof about 6". You do lose 8-10" of covered area, roof plus side angle/curve. Gain is the awning rests entirely on the roof. The arms carry no weight. This places the arms as the outer point of the awning assembly when stored.

You can get curved arms from ZIPDEE but they really cost.

If money is a consideration (Ya right! Isn't it always a consideration?) put on window awnings. They do a great job cooling the coach for probably about half the price.

My $0.02

Bill

[grantgoold]

Sunbrella makes high quality fabric. Shopped on the e-place and found a great deal! Local awning company then used the fabric to make the new unit! Overall cost for a 12 x 9 $220.00.

Good luck!

Grant

[Fred Mc]

A few years ago I got the roller with fabric in a trade. No arms.

So I made my own arms using galvanized tubing for chain link fences.

Not as fancy as the commercial arms but not homemade looking or unsightly. And they works just as well. I even had the tubing bend to follow the contour of the roof(GM PD4106)

[JohnEd]

A&E.  Alu shield on top.  All vinal is not created equal so get the good stuff from A&E or wherever.  Vinal cleans easily, as you might imagine......scrub brush on a stick and high pressure garden hose.  Underside and top.  You get mildew in fabric and you got a different situation.

Do all the little windows.  Maybe incrementally only as you can afford it.

The awning mates to the roller by slipping into a groove and the alum guard attaches in the same manner up top and anyway even without the alu the top attaches to the coach by slipping inside the grove in the J strip like attachment strip.  The alu section, when used also attaches to the coach using that same strip.

HTH, but the discussion is where you will really benefit regardless of which way you choose to go.

[bryanhes]

Bill B,

Any pictures of yours?

Bryan

[Bill B /bus]

I will try to get pictures uploaded Thursday or Friday.