Awnings?

[Larry B.]

Before we return to Arizona I want to install 2 manuel operating awnings. One for the window on the kitchen-living room slide and another on the bedroom window. I only know of 2 manufacturers, Dometic and Carefree. What is your opinion of these brands. Are there other awning manufacturers out there to be considered?
I had to log in again so I don't know if this thread will have my Alpine information.

[OldForester]

I have added, one or two at a time over two year, Dometic manual awnings on the major side windows on our coach, including the last one on the dinette side large window last fall. Dometic matched the color of their WeatherPro power awning with no problem, so they go well with the coach color.

I have had no problems with these awnings and like them a lot. My neighbor has Carefree Awnings on his 2006 Beaver Marquis that are part of the slide cover, and can be pulled out to become window awning covers. They look good when they're down, but they're a lot more fussy to deal with and he is constantly struggling to get the cord rewind mechanism to work on one or the other of his awnings. I don't know about Carefree's straight window awnings.

Dometic was also good about making and delivering our awnings to us in about 7 to 10 days. The key is to be sure you measure them correctly for length so they will clear the windows, and then make sure you hold them up on the window to make sure the back rail, which they attach to, is centered with the final position of the awning. Didn't quite to that right on one awning and that rail is about 1" off center, but it works fine.

[Dr4Film]

I currently have all Carefree awnings, slide-out / awning cover combination's on my 2002 Monaco Windsor. Personally, I don't think there are worth the money and I have invested an enormous amount in springs that keep breaking along with other hardware and replacement linen fabric.

My previous coach was an Airstream that had Zip-Dee awnings on all the windows of various sizes and one huge patio awning on the curb side. I never had any problems with them and they always worked every time I needed them. No hardware purchases other than a piece that flew off when I didn't secure it correctly and no broken springs to replace.

IMHO, I would buy Zip-Dee again and wish that I could replace all of the Carefree ones that are currently on my coach.

Awnings By ZipDee

Dr4Film ----- Richard.