Bad day for Dometic

redbeard33 · 08-20-2017, 03:32 PM

Make sure you check awning for sticks/rocks before retracting. Just found a rock was lodged in there and it tore a few holes.

wetzk · 08-20-2017, 05:37 PM

We found it does not do a good job brushing leaves and small twigs off as the awning retracts. There is a small lip on the outside piece and it catches them. On ours they kept it open about 3/4 of an inch and the motor did not sound very happy. I opened it about one half foot and cleaned the debris out.

**rbryan4** · 08-20-2017, 06:04 PM

Don't want to trash the electric awning, but it seems the more I hear about them the happier I am with the old style Carefree Fiesta.

rjbny · 08-20-2017, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Don't want to trash the electric awning, but it seems the more I hear about them the happier I am with the old style Carefree Fiesta.

Well, I can report that we were up in the ADK's this weekend and it got windy and the awning automatically retracted, so we were happy to find that feature truly does work. That is one positive.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2017, 05:26 AM

I think that the automatic awning maybe making some users lax in their normal non automatic responsibilities. I certainly look for debris before just standing inside and pushing a button, how clogging debris and a rock does damage is certainly not the automatic awning's fault, more like operator error. I sweep and inspect for debris before closing and there is a brush on the lip that sweeps off some small debris, something that was not on the manual awning.

**rbryan4** · 08-21-2017, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

... and there is a brush on the lip that sweeps off some small debris, something that was not on the manual awning.

Well yeah, because it didn't have to be on the manual awning. Debris won't jam it.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2017, 05:41 AM

If I did not sweep off the manual awning it would just trap the stuff inside and made cleaning a lot harder later, particularly bird droppings.

wetzk · 08-21-2017, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I think that the automatic awning maybe making some users lax in their normal non automatic responsibilities. I certainly look for debris before just standing inside and pushing a button, how clogging debris and a rock does damage is certainly not the automatic awning's fault, more like operator error. I sweep and inspect for debris before closing and there is a brush on the lip that sweeps off some small debris, something that was not on the manual awning.

.
Yes but it was easier to do on the older ones. No way to lower this one to get to the stuff on it. So most of it is not real accessable until you have it almost closed. So a small rock could get sucked in. Or are you recommending everyone carry a ladder to look over the awning before it is retracted?

**rbryan4** · 08-21-2017, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

If I did not sweep off the manual awning it would just trap the stuff inside and made cleaning a lot harder later, particularly bird droppings.

Yes, but when you stow the old style awning, you lower it down to the pins before rolling it up. In doing so, any debris falls off, and any that doesn't is easily cleared with a broom. Hard to do if the awning doesn't tilt down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetzk

Yes but it was easier to do on the older ones.

Exactly.

Patandlinda · 08-21-2017, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Yes, but when you stow the old style awning, you lower it down to the pins before rolling it up. In doing so, any debris falls off, and any that doesn't is easily cleared with a broom. Hard to do if the awning doesn't tilt down.

Exactly.

Not being able to have our "Classic Awning " would be a deal breaker for us . Robert on another note was able to use the Sam 1 fan upgrade finally .Absolutely love the fan upgrade . It is so quiet , have to remember to shut it off . What a improvement ! Thanks again for the help . Pat

sunrisetrucker · 08-21-2017, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Not being able to have our "Classic Awning " would be a deal breaker for us .

I was thinking the same. Too many things about the new awning I don't like.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2017, 12:25 PM

Having had 2 classic awnings and their corresponding issues and the new automatic, I'm very glad that Escape switched. Unless you have owned and used both it is hard to pass judgement on which one is preferable.

gbaglo · 08-21-2017, 12:41 PM

Yup. Tandem axles would be a deal breaker for me. Twice the maintenance and cost for tires, bearings etc.

GregandTeresa · 08-21-2017, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Yup. Tandem axles would be a deal breaker for me. Twice the maintenance and cost for tires, bearings etc.

Well crap, I never thought of it that way. Guess I'll be listing our 19 for sale and putting in an order of a 17B today...or not.

Patandlinda · 08-21-2017, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

I was thinking the same. Too many things about the new awning I don't like.

We feel lucky to have the Classic awning . This is our 3 rd for a total of 28 years . We tried the new awning out and were not impressed . New is not always better for us. There are some improvements that are worth it . The new awning isn't one improvement we like or would want . Our trailer , our opinion. Pat

**Donna D.** · 08-21-2017, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Having had 2 classic awnings and their corresponding issues and the new automatic, I'm very glad that Escape switched. Unless you have owned and used both it is hard to pass judgement on which one is preferable.

While I can certainly agree that you can never miss what you've never had, often "preferable" gets involved in an opinion and what's the "best" for the owner. Now we're talking things that are just subjective.

sunrisetrucker · 08-21-2017, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Having had 2 classic awnings and their corresponding issues and the new automatic, I'm very glad that Escape switched. Unless you have owned and used both it is hard to pass judgement on which one is preferable.

Jim I'm truly happy for you that you are enjoying the new style awning. But everything I've heard, read, seen and experienced says not for me.
The acronym YMMV is very fitting for this discussion.

Devil Dog · 08-21-2017, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Don't want to trash the electric awning, but it seems the more I hear about them the happier I am with the old style Carefree Fiesta.

Same here , I like the care free . I stake mine down and forget about it .

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