Awning Choices

[zimmysurprise]

I searched the archives for the best awning choices on conversions, came across some old references to Zip Dee, Girard, and Dometic. I actually blame Chirs and Cherie of Technomadia because we watched their video for the Dometic 9500 the same weekend we went to the RV show and now we want one. Their upgrades are fantastic (but with all their Dometic plugs I think I'll be paying more than they did). I was never fond of the awning arms on the side of the bus, but the newer case styles show promise.

I'm curious if anyone installed one on their bus in the past couple years.
Thanks

[TomC]

I carry two of the picnic tents with me. Then you can set them up where you want. I have tied them to the bus in windy conditions. Good Luck, TomC

[lostagain]

My view on awnings:

our bus came with one. We hardly ever use it. When we put it out, we have to worry about wind. It looks ugly on the side of the bus, the arms partially block the rear view in the mirror. The bus has little window awnings everywhere else, and those are great. I am not going to remove the big awning, but if I was building a bus, I would not put on a big awning. I would just do little window awnings all around. And for sitting somewhere for a while, use a picnic tent for shade, etc.

JC

[saddleup]

Lost our big awning the first trip out ,,never cared about getting anouther one...but the window awnings get used a lot....been two years tryin to get one more zip-dee window awning and fabric replaced on the rest ...big pain in the @$# getting a dealer to do anything on them...goin to replace with dometic this winter...guys in Yuma come right to the lot and get them done...

[muldoonman]

 Have 5 Zipp Dees on our bus and use them all the time. Installed in  1991/92 when they built the coach. Couldn't do without them. Still going strong.

[sledhead]

I have 1 like this but 25 ' long with the aluminum shield on it ( the last fold ) it was installed on the coach in 2005 and have never had any problems other then the switch gets corroded and needs to be cleaned every  few years .
we use it all the time and only roll it in if it gets really windy

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=33915&rewrote&affiliateid=5193&gclid=CJy3kZPWr8oCFZA2gQodGJUE3g

dave

[saddleup]

www.shadepro.net

[goutoe]

I have dometic awnings on all windows and a large 20 ft. side awning, 8 total the only problem I have had is the pull down straps were poor material I replaced all of them with seat belt fabric an easy fix, other than that I am very satisfied with them

[luvrbus]

Depends on what you like Zip Dee IMO was the best ever made in a manual awning they are pricey and only people that work on 1 are the high end RV dealers.
Girard is the Mercedes of power awning the draw back is it takes 110v for power.The 9500 uses 12v and the little motor cost big bucks and a real PITA to change but the 9500 is about the 10th of the cost of a Girard.
What ever you buy if has a wind sensor and uses power expect some problems I have helped a lot of people over the years getting the no arm awnings off the top off their coaches never leave one out at night in Vegas. 
I am not going to use the Somfy-Matic wind sensor that mounts on the roof I am using sensors on the fabric they cost a little more but not as many problems associated with it compered to using the Somfy-Matic .
The arm type the wind will just usually rip the fabric and watch your insurance some cover a awning some don't BTDT        

[zimmysurprise]

Thanks for all the information everyone- Based on what you said and my other research I think it will be a Zip Dee or Dometic without a wind sensor. We've been using EZ ups now for 3 years but it's time to upgrade to something that attaches to the bus and doesn't rain in between.