Community Forums

vnaff · 09-27-2008, 05:45 PM

2006 Essex with 18' Carefree Mirage.
The awning has been useless as most of the destinations we chooze have some wind and the Mirage bounces up and down and we close it and watch other motor homes enjoy thier convential awnings.
The outer limit switch now is bad and the only fix is a new motor, the warranty does not transfer to a 2nd owner.
My inclination now is to replace the awning and get away from Carefree (what a Name)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JRV

vnaff · 09-27-2008, 05:45 PM

2006 Essex with 18' Carefree Mirage.
The awning has been useless as most of the destinations we chooze have some wind and the Mirage bounces up and down and we close it and watch other motor homes enjoy thier convential awnings.
The outer limit switch now is bad and the only fix is a new motor, the warranty does not transfer to a 2nd owner.
My inclination now is to replace the awning and get away from Carefree (what a Name)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JRV

Lug_Nut · 09-28-2008, 02:17 AM

vnaff, Welcome. I had the same type on my last coach and had the same issues. I too often thought, or wished, I would have just got a manual awning.
The best awnings out there are unquestionably Girard. I have them, at a great premium, on my current rig. I've heard they are guaranteed for life. They are 120 AC powered (through the inverter) and work well. I have two that reach the entire length of the coach. However, being they are so big, they are good for about 15 to 20 MPH wind maximum. They are set to auto retract at 22 MPH. Originally they were set for 28 MPH. No way! That thing is flying by then. Anyway, basically I'm very pleased with Girard.
But if want the most versitile and strongest, it has to be the manual one. Sometime we just have to go back to basics.

Peter

racer0624 · 10-01-2008, 02:07 AM

Peter,
Thanks for reminding me that I need to check the setting ou our new coach. I'll reset them to 20mph or so.

soricobob · 10-01-2008, 01:26 PM

I, too, have Girard awnings, at a great premium on my Essex. The first time I put them out, after owning the brand new coach 3 months, a wind came up, lifted the awning, and dropped it, breaking all three arms. When I called Girard (Major Poe), he told me there was no wind that could do that (in Las Cruces), and I must have been driving with the awning out. I called Newmar, and they got it done for me. Since that time, I have used the awning very sparingly, as I think their fragile nature leads to problems I don't need. If I had to deal directly with Girard (rather than a warrantee issue with Newmar) I would go without awnings rather than deal with the likes of Major Poe!