Replacing the awning.

[jaytee2274]

Our awning will be in need of replacement after this season and I am looking to replace it with something with a little better quality, and HOPEFULLY easier setup/take down (I am sick of the stakes and ropes!!).  It looks to me like the "Shademaker" brand has been used by a few and I would really like to hear from anyone who has experience with this or any other brand that they like.  Please feel free to be as specific as possible, (I know I may regret that statement )pros, cons, how it holds up in the rain/wind, as well as where it was purchased, cost, etc (if you can remember).
 

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Jen

[wavery]

Our awning will be in need of replacement after this season and I am looking to replace it with something with a little better quality, and HOPEFULLY easier setup/take down (I am sick of the stakes and ropes!!).  It looks to me like the "Shademaker" brand has been used by a few and I would really like to hear from anyone who has experience with this or any other brand that they like.  Please feel free to be as specific as possible, (I know I may regret that statement )pros, cons, how it holds up in the rain/wind, as well as where it was purchased, cost, etc (if you can remember).
 

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Jen

Several of us have purchased this awning on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_RV-Trailer-Camper-Parts-Accessories__A-E-TRIM-LINE-11-AWNING-CAMPER-POP-UP-PICKUP_W0QQitemZ140257265819QQadnZRVQ2cQ20TrailerQ20Q26Q20CamperQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadiZ2876QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140257265819&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&timeout=1218556988431

It's a great awning. It can be mounted back to the camper or on the ground. The set-up & take down is much easier and the overall product is far superior in quality.

It will withstand much more of a breeze when run back to the camper but you will need to watch yourself when walking around it. However, I never found that to be a problem and I am over 6' tall. Having said that, it's always wise to stow your awning when the wind starts getting up. My rule of thumb is, the first time that I think about it, I do it (just the sailor in me). That even holds true for the big TT awnings.

Check out these pics of my installation:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/559651940aSEhYE

[jaytee2274]

Wavery....thanks for that response.  I was hoping to see pics of it mounted and run back to the camper because; 1- I like the idea of eliminating having to untangle the dog's leash 10 times a day from the poles and 2 - all the pics from the manufacturers made the awning look like it was on an angle and the camper door would be hitting it every time!!

I was also taught by my dad (avid boater and camper) that when it first occurs to me to put up the awning -I put it up!!

I am hoping this deal on ebay is around when it's in our budget to buy one!  Thanks!

[Kelly]

I have a Carefree of Colorado ~ Campout  awning and love it.  It's similar to the one Wavery linked to.  I always mount it back to the camper.  I can set it up and take it down all by myself under normal conditions.  If it's windy I do need help to stow it.

Wavery is right about getting used to walking around it.  That was the running joke the first season we had it ~ I was a pretty slow learner!  

This is the best picture I could find of ours in action.

[cbailey]

All the pics I've seen of the Carefree show such a low pitch...the "carport"position.....will the awning go higher if using brackets attached to the camper or do you have to put the poles in the ground?

I like the pics of the A& E  and where the brackets are attached....

I read some good things about the Carefree but for 1/2 the price the A & E looks GREAT!!!




CBailey
02 Niagra
TV 06  Ford 250 turbo diesel
Camping buddies...a beardie and a bully

[cbailey]

So...I too had quite a sudden storm come up and yanked my awning poles out of the tiki torch ground holders I use to anchor the poles....the wind put the awning on top of the PU.  Bent the pooh out of the poles that are attached to the awning.  The other poles (you know the loose ones that like to attack you when you unzip the awning?!?) seem to be fine. The replacement poles are $35.00 each....The A & E awning on E-bay is $150.00....Seems like a NO-BRAINER to me!  I need the 11ft and would prefer the green....lucky me that's what they had....Expect it Mon. or Tues......hoping that I am happy with the quality.  Will let you know....



CBailey
02 Niagra
TV-06 Ford 250 Turbo Diesel (overkill...but pull a horse trailer too!)
Camping buddies....a beardie and a bully

[jaytee2274]

My big concern was also that "carport" angle.  It looks like Wavery has his mounted up higher...I'm not sure that is what makes the difference, or if it's just a difference in the products.  

Please let me know how it goes!!

[wavery]

So...I too had quite a sudden storm come up and yanked my awning poles out of the tiki torch ground holders I use to anchor the poles....the wind put the awning on top of the PU.  Bent the pooh out of the poles that are attached to the awning.  The other poles (you know the loose ones that like to attack you when you unzip the awning?!?) seem to be fine. The replacement poles are $35.00 each....The A & E awning on E-bay is $150.00....Seems like a NO-BRAINER to me!  I need the 11ft and would prefer the green....lucky me that's what they had....Expect it Mon. or Tues......hoping that I am happy with the quality.  Will let you know....



CBailey
02 Niagra
TV-06 Ford 250 Turbo Diesel (overkill...but pull a horse trailer too!)
Camping buddies....a beardie and a bully

I think that you will be quite impressed with the quality of the A&E. It is twice the quality of the stock Coleman awning. That thing is a piece of junk and they should be ashamed for even using it after all these years. There's just no excuse for it. You don't really realize what poor quality the Coleman one is until you see this A&E.

[cbailey]

Got the A&E awning and it was a pretty easy installation.  Nice awning and very nice not having the loose poles to deal with.  Changing positions a much smoother operation.  We attached the brackets to the camper and I prefer that over the ground position.

$175.00 total with shipping from E-Bay...


Good Move!

[SheBantam]

I have the shademaker on my Cabin A.  It is self contained, but the poles do go to the ground and do not hook to the camper like a big-boy trailer's awning.  The bag is ample so I can put it up and down by myself on the Cabn A (This is a minitravel trailer and not a popup).  

I had a coleman awning while my Jayco (talk about a hard awning) was in the repair shop.  The Coleman was a dream next to the Jayco Awning.