MCI 9 awning information

[grantgoold]

I have started the search for an awning for my 9. I would like others experiences and suggestions. (length, brand, model#, cost).

I would also be most greatful if someone has pictures of their application.

Thanks in advance.

Grant

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Grant,

This awning is not for everyone but, it is a pleasure with all the automatic features.

A&E LA03 24' x 10' lateral arm.  It needs braceing plates in 3 locations inside your bus.

Nick-

[luvrbus]

Grant if you want a automatic Zip Dee and Girad  for 20ft which is about the standard will cost from 3 to 5 grand a manual Zip Dee my preference for a 20ft will be around a grand.You can also buy awnings from Ron the bus nut or Northwest RV in Eugene OR they  both have take offs but will save you big dollars and there may be a surplus store near you

[Tenor]

Mine is a 19 ft A@E 8500 that I bought on the e-place for about 300.  I put a new canvas on it from salvage for 25.  It has straight arms and mounts  just above the baggage bays into the frame (above the trim) and the canvas hangs from just over the rivet line above the rain gutter and below the side clearance light.  Works like a charm.  I can only open my 3rd bay on the pass side part way when the awning is out, but that is my water tank bay anyway.  Not much goes in there.  If I could have found a 25 foot one, I could have mounted it lower into the stainless between the rear wheel and the 3rd bay and in the front between the fuel tank and the front wheel.  I'll try to get pictures up later.

Glenn

[Frank @ TX]

Hi Grant,
I have a MC 9 also.
We have a Zip-Dee 23 foot long .
If you talk to Zip-Dee you'll find the 23' is just right for your 9.
Get the extra parts to lift and lower the attachment arms, you'll like not hitting your head.
Let me know if you need more info.
Frank

[grantgoold]

Frank, if you could provide photos that would be awesome. Do you have a model of the Zip that you like? I really appreciate all the input so far.

Thanks

Grant

[jmblake]

Hi Grant
We just put a 21' Carefree Traveler with the steep pitch arms it is 12V with the acrilic canvas, It was easy to install and it ran us $1800.00. Our roof is raised 9" so there is nothing to hit your head on, so far it works great. The arms only come down the side from the awning rail 59" so it does'nt go into the SS. Jason

[NJT5047]

Here's pix of my 21' A&E 8500 on our MC9.
About $650 six years ago.  Bought matching window awnings 2 years ago. 
Ain't top-drawer, but good quality with parts and service available....if you need it. 
Mine's been totally trouble free. 
JR

[grantgoold]

JR, it looks like your awning is attached in a way that the arms are above the stainless. Is that correct? If so, could you provide a close up shot of how they attach and perhaps even some description of how you went about making that possible. Right now I have access to the side walls for securing the arms. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Grant

[Tenor]

Grant,
It looks like JR did exactly what I did.  I mounted the bottom of the arms so they sit on the aluminum skin and rest on the top edge of the trim above the stainless.  There is framework to tap into there all along the side of the bus.  I drilled the holes and taped them.   I did not remove the interior panels in my bus, but since yours are out, you could weld in some threaded rod stock and run it through the skin and use nuts to hold the arms on.  However, it makes it harder to change awnings if ever you needed to.  I just used self tapping screws on the top end of the arms.  Works great so far!

Glenn

[NJT5047]

JR, it looks like your awning is attached in a way that the arms are above the stainless. Is that correct? If so, could you provide a close up shot of how they attach and perhaps even some description of how you went about making that possible. Right now I have access to the side walls for securing the arms. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Grant

Did exactly as Glenn did.  The arms are mounted into the aluminum sidewall immediately above the trim.  That's a strong mounting point.
The upper is sheet metal screws into the roof.  And a quality butyl sealing strip.   Any mount points created while the inner walls are removed, should be affixed so that the plate doesn't drop or move in the event the arm mount is removed for some reason.
I've also got the same situation as Glenn with the 21' awning ending over the rear bay door.  It'll open halfway only when the awning is extended. 
Not  problem since there's nothing inside that bay needing attention.    Freshwater tank fills the area. 
I could get a better pix of the mount, but the front locates the rear.  The front is just in front of the front side window.  Didn't want any arms over windows.
I believe that any awning that's longer than 22' generally need a center support...?  A&E recommends this, but other brands may not. 
Center supports can be a PITA. 
I'll see if I have other pix of the install in this computer.
Cheers, JR