Hello!

[gbaglo]

For what it's worth, I often retract my manual awning to 1/2 if a storm is expected. It's enough to cover the folded chairs leaning against the trailer.

I have had to launch myself from the trailer at 3am, in the pouring rain, wearing only my 'tighty-whitey's', trying to remember how to take in the awning.
But, in BC, I still think I prefer the manual awning, since it can be tilted to shed rain, has fewer parts to break and costs less.

At least I'm not sleeping in a Sear's Sir Edmund Hillary tent ( never again ).

[cpaharley2008]

RE: awning use. I realize there are 2 different opinions power/manual prevalent here. That is fine and each owner has their choice. But this comment is common to both types of awnings. Years ago there was a bold warning on my manual awning "This device is for use in sun protection only and not to be left unattended"....as the song goes...;love the one you're with!

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

So now you can use the electric awning fully extended, in heavy rain without a pole?

Enjoy,

Perry

Any non believer about useing an electric awning should have been at the Mississippi Rally. Many of us were under Steve Dunham's awning during very heavy rainfall (enjoying biscuits and gravy and daily coffee gatherings). No, it did not collapse and yes it did drain. I am not sure if it was fully extended, but it was out a very long way.

[jxoco]

Originally Posted by JLModer2

@Mvcorliss

This unit does have the Solar option, and 2 6 volt batts. We had out first trip this weekend, and were not able to get an eletric site. Even with Rain most of it, we made due. It was pretty awesome. That said, The battery monitor isn't super accurate, and I'll need to invesitgate some of how the GoPower stuff works a little more deeper.

John & Derek

Buy some distilled water and check the battery levels.
The gopower was a sore point for us when we bought the trailer, and I really wanted to switch it out, but it actually has never let us down. And we have the 25 amp model that really doesn't have any settings. I think your model has a bunch of switches on the back to fine tune it to the batteries you have.
Your power usage will be what dictates if the solar system can keep up with you. Ours does, even though we carry an extra panel so we can park in the shade we seldom take it out and plug it in.
Welcome to the forum.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Ronn

I am not sure if it was fully extended, but it was out a very long way.

Until the electronic awning can be fully extended, without a stupid pole in the middle and handle heavy rain I will continue to make this recommendation. There are also differences in heavy rain: a lot vs heavy in a short time. It seems either there is a pole in the middle, poles at each corner, or it is not fully extended.

I also look at the maintenance issues here with the manual, bad wind sensors, doesn't retract properly, etc. (do a search) vs the manual. But for myself and others it doesn't matter. The manual is much more robust for rain and wind. That's just physics at work. Plus to chew someone out because they might believe the same is absurd.

Again, if I was bothered by the simple means to put out and retract a manual, or just wanted a sun screen I'd purchase the electric in a heartbeat. Again, we camp in rain quite a bit of the time, so I'll go with the proven product.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Plus to chew someone out because they might believe the same is absurd.

Sorry for the offense, it wasn't intended. I was only pointing out that the awning was extended out a long way in very very heavy rain without any poles and the was rain was shedding just fine off one end.

[EdColorado]

Only been enjoying this forum for a short time but I’ve identified two Hot-Button issues.

Awning type and backup camera.

Don’t comment unless you’re ready to go to battle stations.


A cold and snowy day in Colorful Colorado.



Ed

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by Ronn

Any non believer about useing an electric awning should have been at the Mississippi Rally. Many of us were under Steve Dunham's awning during very heavy rainfall (enjoying biscuits and gravy and daily coffee gatherings). No, it did not collapse and yes it did drain. I am not sure if it was fully extended, but it was out a very long way.

So I don’t have to baby mine so much in the rain? I was manually pushing up on each end to drain off the water last weekend while my wife was making bacon and eggs. Sounds like if I was more patient it may have built up enough to drain itself?

I do agree with Perry’s general sentiment, if a robust bulletproof awning was my focus I would have gone manual. Actually if the arm didn’t block the rear window we would have gone manual.

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by MikeS

So I don’t have to baby mine so much in the rain? I was manually pushing up on each end to drain off the water last weekend while my wife was making bacon and eggs. Sounds like if I was more patient it may have built up enough to drain itself?

I do agree with Perry’s general sentiment, if a robust bulletproof awning was my focus I would have gone manual. Actually if the arm didn’t block the rear window we would have gone manual.

Yes, that is what appears to have worked with Steve's awning, it drooped on one corner and the water ran off that corner. I imagine it was put in at night, but I think he had it out everyday in the rain.

Hopefully Steve will chime in on his observations.

[cpaharley2008]

I was there at the Mississippi also with my power awning, extended halfway in the rain, I have also eliminated the 90 degree door stop to allow more air and light into the 2019 units...

[cpaharley2008]

My 2016 power awning went straight out but the newer models have been tilted 5 degrees by Escape to allow better water run off....

[gbaglo]

Looks like you have the awning tied down. Do you shut off the automatic retraction feature?

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

Only been enjoying this forum for a short time but I’ve identified two Hot-Button issues.

Awning type and backup camera.

Don’t comment unless you’re ready to go to battle stations.


A cold and snowy day in Colorful Colorado.


Ed

Also insulation, microwave, external propane, slider vs awning windows, inverters, generators, portable solar, and poutine!

[Marry]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

Also insulation, microwave, external propane, slider vs awning windows, inverters, generators, portable solar, and poutine!

Don’t forget the 19 bed/sleep/pillow

[StarvingHyena]

How about tires, refrigerators, and perfect tow vehicles too?

Tom

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Looks like you have the awning tied down. Do you shut off the automatic retraction feature?

No I had a temporary shelter tied down right next to the awning drip raid. It was a nasty forecast.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

We got the full solar electric package and are really glad we did. It's wonderful to watch the batteries charge back up every day. Being able to use the microwave with no hookups is a real luxury and we find that we do that a lot. This trailer makes boondocking effortless, we are finding that we seek out NP, Forest Service and BLM campgrounds and just hit a commercial RV park once a week or so to do laundry and take a really long shower.

David, when you say full solar package, did you get the extra panel on the roof and the zamp port/connection?

[davidmurphy02]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

David, when you say full solar package, did you get the extra panel on the roof and the zamp port/connection?

No, just the standard single rooftop panel. We camp mostly in the southwest and tend to have good sun, and the single 190 watt panel has been more than enough to recharge our batteries quickly every morning. And it's nice to know it's recharging when we are driving as well.

On our recent trip we had several nights in the teens, the furnace ran a lot, we watched a DVD, and in the morning the batteries were still at 12.5. I've been surprised to see decent charging levels even when cloudy, and at first light before the sun was even up and hitting us. For our needs the convenience of the rooftop panel is ideal...if we camped in the forest with minimal sun exposure a lot I might feel differently.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

No, just the standard single rooftop panel. We camp mostly in the southwest and tend to have good sun, and the single 190 watt panel has been more than enough to recharge our batteries quickly every morning. And it's nice to know it's recharging when we are driving as well.

On our recent trip we had several nights in the teens, the furnace ran a lot, we watched a DVD, and in the morning the batteries were still at 12.5. I've been surprised to see decent charging levels even when cloudy, and at first light before the sun was even up and hitting us. For our needs the convenience of the rooftop panel is ideal...if we camped in the forest with minimal sun exposure a lot I might feel differently.

Thanks..

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Ronn

Sorry for the offense, it wasn't intended. I was only pointing out that the awning was extended out a long way in very very heavy rain without any poles and the was rain was shedding just fine off one end.

You're fine. I wasn't talking about your comment.

Enjoy,

Perry