Do you use your awning?

[ronstew]

As a prospective buyer, I look at awnings with skepticism. To me they look like a lot of extra cost, weight and drag, with questionable utility.

Care to convince me otherwise?

[Jim Bennett]

I would not even consider not having an awning. It always is the first thing set up for us. It is a reprieve from rain, and a dry place to store stuff outside. On hot sunny days it provides shade to sit under, and shades the trailer helping keep it cooler too.

[JeffZ]

Yep.. it just kind-of extends the living space of the trailer.. I can anticipate it helping in the cooling of the trailer by keeping some shade on it as well.

[amirie]

Even though we don't have our trailer yet, I am looking forward to having the awning out because of the fridge being on that same side and the wall of the fridge won't be baking in the heat.

On our Boler of course the fridge was on the opposite side of the awning and up in Oosoyoos, it was SO hot and it was hard to keep our fridge cool...The fridge worked much better in cooler temps of course...

This awning looks so easy to deploy. We had Reace put an awning on our Boler and we only had it out a few times, but sure enjoyed it. It sure beats putting up tarps and ropes etc on our soggy "wet" coast....... Many a "discussion" was held over that 8&^%$ tarp!!!!!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by amirie

Many a "discussion" was held over that 8&^%$ tarp!!!!!

Oh, I got a great laugh outta this. Ever too often I have seen heated debates on the best way to put the tarp up. 8)

[gbaglo]

Awning? Absolutely.

For all the reasons mentioned above. Takes no time to put up and take down.

I do caution. If you suspect any change in the weather, a rise in the wind, take it down before you go to bed.

Trying to remember the sequence when you're in a stupor at 4AM is not recommended. Trust me. And it's hard to sleep if you leave it up and it's being buffeted by the wind, and you're thinking about how much it could cost to fix it if you don't get up and do something about it.

I also have the bug screen that attaches to the awning, but I haven't had to set it up since I got it, so I can't comment. If you love the outdoors and hate bugs, you might consider this option.

baglo

[PGDriver]

A screened room is a must, bugs can be a pain up here in northern BC.
I sure hope one is available for the new awning Reace is using.....

[Jim Bennett]

Tammy told me they (she) have worked out a way to make the Fiesta work, and the new awning is not needed. I am quite tolerant of bugs, though when they get real bad, I do like a reprieve. I know out at our rec property we have a screened tent that easily covers a picnic table. This is another alternative to the awning mounted one for a reprieve from the mosquitoes and black flies. How well do the ones that attach to an awning actually seal, it seems that there is lots of potential for openings. I have not ever seen one in use.

[escape artist]

Hi: all...First thing up...last thing down, unless you're like Robbin Williams in the movie RV I did try to pull away fast one morning 'till I saw the power cord jump in the grass WHEW!!! We also have the screen room option and it does fit well and extends the living space. So far we only used it once to keep the BUGS @ Bay. Northern Ontario SKEETERS are the size of B52's!!!
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[escape artist]

Hi: Again... Here we are @ Bolerama Emily P.Pk. We had so many people look thru the trailer Sat. am.we ended up leaving the screen rm. open!!!

[Jim Bennett]

I went to the Escape site and found a link to THIS photo. I see how they deal with the open space under the trailer.

Alf, a couple questions (ok, 3)
How does the screen room attach to the trailer sides, does it just hang loose?
How is the seal facilitated along the top?
Is it easy to set up?

My wife hates being bothered by bugs, and is interested in this option. We may just use the bug tent though, it is easy to set up, quite large, and works well.

[escape artist]

Hi: Jim... 3 ans. then I have to go to work(Helps to pay for play).
1. Reace puts dome snaps on the trailer sides during production.
2. The screen has a plastic string/tube that slides into the slit in the awning roller (fully extended) tube.
3. Just follow the handy instructions attached(sewn into) to each half of the screen.
You have to feed the screen sections into the roller in proper (lft. hand rt. hand) order so they fit the curve of the trailer sides!!! Snap on the skirt...and Bobs your uncle!!!

[PGDriver]

Jim, whats the scoop on the Fiesta awning?

[Jim Bennett]

Tammy told me last week that they solved the dilemma with the arms. I can't remember the details, something about finding a way around the one bend they could not do. Not exactly sure, but I do know that they will still be using the same one.

Alf, thanks for that info. What protects those snaps when not in use?

[escape artist]

Hi: Jim... The snaps don't seem to need any protection. I don't know if they're S/S or chrome but so far no rust etc. We only use the screen room if really necessary or we are going to be in one spot for a few days. Thats another reason I love the 5.0 as we can tuck stuff under the bedroom loft (in the crawl space)
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

I would imagine the snaps would be somewhat protected from getting bumped by the awning arms.

If I was not set on having an SUV, and instead had a small pickup, I would go for the 5.0 in a heartbeat, mainly for the better bed layout in that we would enter straight on and have a bit of room on the sides. The 19 was the first egg I saw under 21 ft, and light enough to tow with a V6 that had a permanent queen bed. This is one of the reasons (along with Escape's reputation) that I was all over it.

[gbaglo]

Quiet!

I'm watching Survivor.

baglo

[gbaglo]

OK, Survivor is over.

There are a lot of snaps for the bug screen. I would think they need a coat of lubricant, just like the others to protect them and make install easier. I watched Reace install the bug screen on the awning once, and I wish I had it on video since that was months ago. There is a sequence.

I can say that once properly installed it would be difficult for flying bugs to find a way in. After installing the main screen around the awning, you clip on a skirt that prevents bugs coming in under the trailer.

It's not something I would put up every time I set up camp, but if I was camped along the Horsefly River or at Skagit Lake, it would be a blessing. Allows you to extend the evening hours without being eaten alive.

baglo

[PGDriver]

I'm sure that the snaps are stainless steel as they look to be the same style used by the marine industry.

[Sandra L]

Check with Reace. Mosquitodirk mentioned difficulty with his, but i think a shot of WD 40 would keep them nice. ( Use it on my garden tools and it works great (if I don't forget).