Change manual awning to electric.?

[jwedell]

Has anyone changed their manual awning to a 12 volt system.If so how much and do you like it. Thanks - John

[bw2]

John,

I replaced my manual with an A&E Electric with wind sensor. In my case, I needed a two step step ladder to reach the front arms of the awning. I got tired of that and made the change. I do like mine. We do not hang lights on it of course, but it has a remote and if the wind comes up in the night, I just use the remote from bed to put it up. If it gets too windy I do put it up, the manual awning allows you to use tie downs and leave it out in higher winds.

Good luck on your choice.

[exav8tr]

Carefree of Colorado offers the electric arms with a droop for the 5th wheels, you use the same tube and fabric. This is probably the cheapest way to do it. I thought long and hard about it last summer. I do like putting extra lights on it, (no flamingos though), and I like tying it down. I do put it up if winds are reported to be over 30 knots. IF I should lose the manual awning I will replace with the non-automatic electric one. Cost quoted me for the Carfree arms was around 1100-1200, parts and labor... bw2 makes very valid points, especially in the middle of the night........

[camper4]

I have the one that came with my 5er. I ripped it off at a KOA once. (another story)... I usually handle most of my own repairs but not that one. I recommend you have it professionally installed if you change.
We really like ours.

[VanMan]

I also ruined our original (manual type) with a tree at a KOA. After LOTS of thinking and studying, I went back with a manual one. The main deciding factor for me was that a manual awning allows you to lower the outer edge to block the setting sun and to clean off debris before rolling up.It can also be tilted at one end for drainage. I know some of the electric models will "pop" any water out if it collects.

[richfaa]

We thought about it when the electric OEM awning came out and the service center said it could be done for a price of course..After we gave it serious thought we decided the OEM type awnings did not meet our needs and it was to expensive to get one that did,

[TLightning]

To change to a powered awning would be a major and expensive project...and something else to break. I'm going to keep what we have.

[gitrdun]

Replaced mine with the Carefree of colorado elec. arms. Installed myself cost about $900.00 worth every dollar.

[Bill-N-Donna]

We always enjoy the lights too much to give that up. We use a remote on/off switch to turn them on/off.

[sreigle]

I would love to have the automatic electric awning but, like many others, found the cost just too high to justify. We just don't use the awning very often. But I bet we would if we had the electric one, especially the automatic one. It's on my wish list for that next (and also first) major lottery win.