Is it worth installing an awning?

[emoney]

Let me preface by saying I'm fully aware of the "you never get your money back" ideology when it comes to renovating anything.  I was born at night, just not last night .  Having said that, can we talk about awnings for minute, or more specifically what to do if there isn't one?

For those of you that didn't see my "intro" post, a quick rundown is that I've picked up an '84 Southwind Eagle 23' and she's come without an awning.  As a matter of fact, it looks as if she's never had one.  First question is, would you go to the effort of buying and installing one, given their cost?  From the looks of it, if a person found a GREAT deal he'd still have $6-700 invested.  If they're that useful, and make that big of a deal, I'm not against spending the $$.  However, if it makes a lot more sense to just buy one of those "Insta-Canopies" and deal with the storage issue, I can go that route as well.  Shade is a must, since most of the time will be spent right here in sunny and hot Florida.

While we're on the subject, since this little Eagle has a curved side, is there something specific I need to be looking for or is the slope gradual enough to not be a factor? 

Anybody got tips on a possible place to source "used" parts, specifically awning parts, here in the West Central, Tampa Bay area of Florida? Hm?

Thanks a ton to everyone, by the way as I spent a LOT of time creeping around the forum before I registered (figured I'd better buy one first) and I've learned a LOT about RVing and anticipate learning a lot more.  Some of you guys don't realize how valuable information is to a newb, and I, for one, am very appreciative for your sharing.

[ClydesdaleKevin]

I have found that having an awning is way better than not having one...and far superior to a pop up type canopy.  The convenience of being able to roll down the awning in just a couple of minutes, and roll it back up just as fast if a storm is coming in, to me makes it worth every penny.  A pop up canopy means you'll still have a rain gap if you want to sit on your porch in the rain, and then if you have to fold it up for a windy day or storms, you have to go through the process of moving the whole canopy to a clear area to fold it up, or else move all your porch furniture to fold it up...and if you've ever folded those things, you know it takes more than a couple of minutes.  And then you'd have to store it!

I highly recommend getting a center leg and rafter if you want an awning any bigger than 12-14 feet...even the best awnings tend to get a permanent bow in the middle over time without the center support.

I also highly recommend getting an A&E awning by Dometic as opposed to a Carefree awning.  A&Es are much better made and heavier duty.  They cost a little more, but not all that much for the increase in quality to get for the difference.

And you are in luck for an RV junkyard near you since you live in the Tampa area!  Bob's RV Salvage is right up north of you in Alachua, and they have a LOT of used and new RV parts, including a whole bunch of awning arms, tubes/rollers, complete new and used awnings, the whole nine yards.  And window awnings too!  I miss that RV salvage yard!  I think their contact info is in the member's area, and if not I'll try to find it for you.

I don't know if the curvature of your RV would require you to get an Airstream type setup for the awning, with curved arms...but they have those as well at Bob's.

Good luck!

Kev

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Bob's Rv's Used Parts & Sales
]23486 South USHighway 441
High Springs, Florida 32643
(386) 454-5733

And Mark, if you can add this to the RV Salvage list, it would be awesome!

Anyhow, its in High Springs, just one town over from Alachua.  They have a LOT of salvage RVs on site, more parts than you can imagine, fridges, stoves, furnaces, AC units, air bags, the list goes on and on and on...and everything is organized and easy to find.  They have a lot of out buildings and metal carports loaded with parts by type.  Its a u-pull it yard as well, so if you want to explore the junker RVs for little hard to find parts, they'll let you!

They also have from time to time vintage RVs in pretty good condition for sale at decent prices.  Nice folks too!

Kev

[Froggy1936]

You are correct about the price range I paid $600.00 @ Sands for a used awning After havig gone without one for a few yrs And now having one i highly reccomend them My rig never had an awning either it just requires installation of a anchor strip It took me about 6 hrs to install by myself  Frank

[LJ-TJ]

I agree with Kev and Frank. You don't need an awing until you get one and then it's a WHY didn't I do this sooner. However if your going to do it,do it right the  first time. Like Kev says A&E step up to the plate an do it right now is not the time to chins. If your careful there are used awnings out there and very reasonabley prices. But if your not sure this is one time to have the pros do it for you.

[emoney]

The "aye's" have it.  'A awning huntin' I will go!  And thanks oodles for the Bob's recommendation.  That makes me really happy, as I
was hoping such a place existed locally.  I was spoiled in the boat department with a very large used part place not far down the road
and sounds like Bob's is the RV equivilant. 

Any other thoughts on the curvature issue?  I included that pic so you could see what I'm referring too.  Thanks a ton for all the help so far!

[DonD]

http://www.rvawningsonline.com/popups/hardware.htm

[PwrWgnWalt]

I agree with emoney!  This site has been a HUGE help as the spousal-unit and I embark on our first RV-owning adventure... thanks to all!

Case in point is this thread.  We have a 16' A&E Capri II awning on our new-to-us Beach-Craft, but the awning material is shot and needs to be replaced. All I can find around here is the Carefree brand and folks wanting to sell me a new one ($$$ ouch!).  Having read these posts (and others on the topic of how to repair), sounds like we will go the DIY route and get some material ordered come the spring thaw.



Thanks for ALL the good info!
- Walt

[tiinytina]

We have a Carefree and have been happy with it.  easy up easy down.. absolutely a must to have, especially if you have dogs/kids letting in and out in the rain..  yes in wind and storm you have to roll it up but... if stuck in a wide open campground it shades a side of the rig and gives you refuge from the sun.  We bring a little turbo fan and set it up to make a breeze if mother nature doesn't provide one.

Make sure you mount a rub wheel on the upper corner of your RV door when you put your awning on.. this prevents the corner of the door from gouging your new fabric if someone accidentally  W% opens the RV door as the other person is putting the awning up or down...

If you find awning tube and arms at Salvage place there are LOTS of the actual awning fabric  on sale on Ebay...

Tina

[DonD]

I got my awning fabric from: http://www.rvawningsmart.com/main.sc

I got a very good price and am pleased with the choice.

[LJ-TJ]

   
• If your patient and don't get in a rush you will find a nice used unite. Shoot that's part of the fun of owning one of these old rigs. Keep an eye on Craigslist. Check out some RV scrap yards and if all else fails?? Here ya go

   
• http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Rv+awning+material&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[Lefty]

As for the side curvature, the awning legs can be purchased with a knee bend in them which prevents them from hitting the sides of the rv... Think Airstream,Avion, and that GMC frontwheel drive round bubble RV and you get the idea. Any of those would make an excellent donor too btw, as all would have come with top off the line awnings when new.

Good luck

[jkilbert]

Definitely go with the awning. It's a lot more convenient. Also a lot more cost effective. Glenn (gpratt) and I found a complete awning for his coach at a local salvage yard for $100.  A good 12x12 pop up canopy is close to $200 and still it's not as well made as the awning. Then you need to store an item that's roughly 1x1x6ft and weighs around 40lbs.


John

[SoakedKarma]

Ditto to everything ClydesdaleKevin stated 
Have A&E Elite 9000 20' with center rafter support on my rig as well as window awnings.. Makes summer cooling much easier.

Have many times experienced 40 mph gusts and steady 20mph winds without a problem other than a time or two felt like we were going to roll over  bit of a shock but my rig has a 21,000 GVW so not likely.. Any awning is a big sail, I did reinforce awning mounting points in preparation for expected high desert winds we get.  I also use awning de-flappers.

A&E 8000 and 8500 series awnings are Great if you can find them as they have been discontinued.. 9000 has an aluminum roll cover.. 

Much heaver made than Carefree but anything is better than nothing.. imho

BTW A 20' awning is actually 19'4" material length. They are measured outside to outside edges of hardware and material is always about 8" shorter..

[winnebagoguy]

I want to install a awning on my 72 winnie Indian, but am not sure if there is anything along the top of the wall to attache the awning to. Any help would be greatly appreicated.  Thanks winnebagoguy.

[Stripe]

I'm pretty sure the Winnebago owners here would agree, unless there is rotted structure up there, you should be good to go as far as installing an awning..

Fredric

[Froggy1936]

See my comment above  Its called an Awning Rail  Frank

[pvoth1111]

Ebay has rv awnings....

[Audog]

Oh you bet you should ,  :Dit is so nice to have to shade the side of your rv as well as be able to setup and drop in minute plus it stores better.  Go get yourself one!

[aaron7]

Heh, and here we are wishing we didn't have one on ours! Never used it and all it does is block my passenger-side mirrors from seeing anything! 

[Stripe]

If that's blocking your view, I'd double check it's stowed right or that the mirror goes out far enough to not be blocked by the awning..    

I've had two RV's, one without and one with an awning.  I like having the awning.. 

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

I suspect you still have the original van side mirrors on your class C rather than junior west coast mirrors.

[aaron7]

Yup, the larger 3-point mount style but definitely not big enough. Was worried about getting wider mirrors as they already do stick out more than the body!

[LJ-TJ]

Well I scrounged an awning off a wrecked trailer for $100.00 bucks including a new canvas bought on E-bay. I've never had one. After using it this summer I don't know how anybody gets along with out one. On the hot days it was a great gathering place for everybody and on the rainy days it was a great place for everyone to gather. On the dewy mornings the lawn chairs and tables stayed dry. I wouldn't be caught dead without one now. Great investment.

[TheSportsmanDodger]

here is a mathematic:


Rain + night +key x area= worth it.