Do we really need an awning?

[DoubleD]

WOW! I can't believe it, but we are actually removing accessories from the Cobalt we are buying. After talking to a dealer yesterday, he said we don't even want to leave the PU for an hour or two with the awning out because of what the wind will do to it. That got us to thinking; how badly do we even need an awning? If it rains, (which rarely occurs besides the daily 30 minute afternoon thundershower in the Colorado mountains) we either jump in the TV and go touring or we relax in the PU. We are stepping up from tent camping and want to keep it simple. Man, it is easy to start over-complicating our setup to the point we will be spending an hour to pitch and break camp just like tenting. Our goal is to be able to decide on a whim to take off, hitch up the PU and take off, set up camp in 15 minutes and be ready to play!  It isn't really a price thing, it is a simplicity thing for us.
Please help me with feedback on how useful an awning is to you or how (and when) you don't need an awning. Thanks!

[Kelly]

Do you need an awning?  Nope.  
Are they nice to have?  Yep.  

Realistically we probably only NEED a fraction of what is in our PUs!!   The PU I had before this one had an awning that was a PIP to set up.  We only used it if we were gonna be in one place for more than 2 nights.  I have a Carefree of Colorado Campout  awning on the Jayco and we use it every trip.  It's easy to set up ~ I can do it myself ~ and it really extends our "living" space while camping.  

Good luck ~ let us know what you decide.

[Cheryl]

Hi,
I am all for SIMPLICITY in set-up and pack-up for camping. That said....I love having an awning available on most of our trips. The awning takes very little time to set up or take down and boy! does it come in handy on bright, sunny days for a shady place to relax, sit, and enjoy the fresh air and view, and on the days where there is a drizzle of liquid sunshine (LOL) it makes a great spot to gather, relax, and chat with friends. When there are times that you don't want or need it , it can stay tucked up on the side of the camper, out of your way! How perfect! Just my $.02 worth,
Cheryl

[cyclone]

We have an awning - we don't always use it, but it's nice when we want it.  It really depends on the length of trip, the site, etc.

[Nell]

I don't think we have ever not used our awning. We also don't have that many camping trips where it doesn't rain and the awning acts as an additional buffer in keeping the camper dry as the door opens and closes. On those 95 degree days it's wonderful shade! However we are not into keeping camping totally simple either so it's a personal choice but just some things to think about.

[brainpause]

We have an awning - we don't always use it, but it's nice when we want it.  It really depends on the length of trip, the site, etc.

Same here, but it is nice to have when you do need it on rainy or sunny days. We also have a Quik Shade that comes out before the awning, usually.

I think your dealer may be overreacting a little, to what the wind may do with an awning. Yes, I have seen some messed up awnings, but they were usually after storms that were pretty predictable. The awnings should have come down. In other words, a properly staked (or weighted with a bucket) awning should survive normal daily winds.

I don't have pics on my website, but others may, of a modification for awnings, where a small bucket or flowerpot of concrete (with an eyebolt for the rope) is used. I like this setup. Easier than finding a good place to drive a stake. Of course it is one more thing to carry.

Larry

[wavery]

The thing about equipping your camper is that it is all about compromise. Every single camper has a slightly different camping style, routine and agenda. Awnings are one of those things (like everything) that is not right for everyone, in every situation.

In our case, we beach camp almost exclusively. Therefore we tend to get a fair bit of offshore breeze, right on the front (awning side) of the camper.

Just as often as not, we not only cannot use the awning but we are forced to remove the awning from the camper, after the wind picks up.

If the wind hits my camper broadside, the wind deflects and goes up the side of the camper. That lifts the awning bag and it slams back against the camper again and again. Therefore, before we pop-up, we must remember to remove the retaining screws from both ends of the track so that the awning bag can be slid out of the track, without lowering the top or searching for a ladder. We have had to do this on at least half of our outings.

However, I still don't want to get caught without the awning. It sure is nice on a sunny or rainy day. It's especially nice on those dewy nights at the beach (if there's no wind).

[GeneF]

When we had our popups, we always used the awnings.

We liked the idea of the shade but we did all of our cooking outside of the popups. When it rained, it was nice to have the awning.

How easy it is to set up the awning will most likely dictate how often you use it.  We had four popups and on a couple of them, the awnings were a bear to set up.  On the other ones, it was easy and it only took one person.

Yes, I would vote for an awning.  You never know when you will have a site with no shade or you would like to stay outside even if it is raining.

[flyfisherman]

For sure, I can tell you what a high wind will do to an unsecured awning ... from experience!
When my PU was new and we were just getting acquainted with each other, I had the awning  set out, not staked down or tied off, and heard a weather front was on it's way to our area. Someone had picked that info up on their weather ban radio and as I piddle-diddled around getting around to putting the awning away, boy, that weather front was upon us! I had already put up the awning poles and was just in the process of rolling up the awning when a big gust of wind jerked that awning out of my hand and started to flail that thing around like it was nothing! Ended up on top of the popup, with the awning bar punching a hole in my brand new Starcraft aluminum roof! Thanks be for duct tape, which was used to cover the hole, and when the rains came, did'nt leak a drop. The duct tape patched roof held for the week, along with another couple of weeks just setting a home before I could get to it with a more permanent type roof repair.

Now, I Iike an awning, for all the reasons already mentioned; and I keep a 2'X 3' folding aluminum table just outside the camper door, under the awning, along with a two burner Coleman L/P stove. That way I can keep the indoor, low pressure camper stove inside and not be bothered having to carry it in and out. For the most part, all cooking is done outside the camper; about the only thing the inside stove does is a make the moring coffee, boil water or heat some soup when the weather outside is bad. Now, here's what I do in regard to the awning:

If there's high winds predicted, I simply don't put it out.

If it's already out and I hear of another "front" moving my way, I get at it and put the thing away pronto!

When I do put the awning out, it is secured both by stakes and tieing the two corners off to something real secure - I'll not be soon forgeting the power of that wind when it gets hold of that awning!

Last, but not least, I make sure there's a good working weather radio aboard the camper and is turned on "alert" should something try and sneak-up on us!


Fly

[tlhdoc]

We use our awning on most trips.  When we camp at the beach I tie it off to the picnic table, fire ring, etc. or triple stake it to the ground.  Using the AAR also helps hold the awning down in place.  If we are going to be away all day I lower it so that I don't have to worry about as much air going under and trying to lift it.  Also you want to set it up with one end lower than the other so that if it rains the water can run off and not build up on the awning.  It is a personal choice, but I am glad to have it.

[cb]

We're minimalists, but my guess is that you don't need an awning.  We have camped for 10 years without a hook-on-to-the-PUP-roof awning, but we have a free-standing sunsshade (like EZ-up).  If we think we might need some shade, we take it along.  Ordinarily, if it rains (which is next to never) or if it's too hot in the sun while we're in camp, we go inside the PUP.  We have used the sunshade in the desert when one grandkid had a full-leg cast and had to lie around a lot, or at the beach when it was very hot.  With a portable sunshade, you can set it up wherever you want it....against the edge of the PUP, over the picnic table, next to the stream or out on the beach.  Wherever you want it to be.  Once, at the beach, we were too lazy to take it down before we went to bed.  After the wind came up, we awoke to see the sunshade cartwheeling down the sand.  Soon we were in hot pursuit, laughing our heads off in the middle of the night.  We smile every time we go past the site!!  There are no right and wrongs with this camping stuff.  Try whatever you think will work.

[AustinBoston]

After talking to a dealer yesterday, he said we don't even want to leave the PU for an hour or two with the awning out because of what the wind will do to it.

We've used our Taj MaHaul in more than 25 states and 50 campgrounds from Maine to California (but only two nights in Colorado, so I don't really have specific local information) and there are only a few places (2-3) where we felt we needed to take down our awning.  I wouldn't put it up at all without staking it down, however.

That got us to thinking; how badly do we even need an awning?

Remember that it is not only roof from the rain, but shade from sun.

We seldom use our screen room (which attaches to the awning), but that awning is always up.  It adds 1-2 minutes to setup time, adds very little weight, and if it's up when you need it, you don't even think about it.

It's a grest place to hang our deep blue rope light as well.

Austin

[chip]

If we are using the PU as a travelling "Motel," (i.e., just for overnights while traveling to a more "Permanent" vacation domicile) we don't set our awning up.  Once we get to where we will be for anything more than a day, it will be set up as part of the popup operation.  It helps to create that certain attached "Space" while partaking that first cup of joe in morning, so to speak.

I also have the dents and gashes in the aluminum roof resulting from not knowing (or being too lazy, I forget which) to stake the thing down.  Wind comes up and the awning is suddenly covering the roof, along with the poles and the rest of the hardware.  (Gashes now suitably sealed with exterior silicone sealant...)

If it is properly staked down the awning can take a fair amount of wind before causing any problems.  Prudence, and proper information (read:  weather radio, or other reliable sources) should be your guide.

Just my .02.

[gravy]

If your pu comes with an awning,I would keep it.You never know,you may get the urge to come out in this part of the country and it would definetly come in handy out here.Better to keep it now than have to buy one later.