New awning

[cpaharley2008]

My automatic awning has worked exactly the way it was designed, it retracted twice in breezy weather otherwise it has remained steady for more than a dozen expansions and retractions.

[advenas]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

My automatic awning has worked exactly the way it was designed, it retracted twice in breezy weather otherwise it has remained steady for more than a dozen expansions and retractions.

Honestly, I was impressed by the Dometic power awning when I was at Escape trailers. It looked to be well built and operated very smoothly. My concern is after a few years in the field the automatic retraction sensor quits working and/or the motor gives up and dies. Either is expensive to fix and not warrantied farther out than perhaps a year? After that I'm stuck with a broken awning and a several hundred dollar repair. And from that perspective I'd much rather deal with the manual awning. Just my own personal perspective and preference.

[float5]

I thought that this awning could also be operated manually. Not the case? If it can, why not have the automatic feature as long as it lasts?

[KarenH]

I guess I don't understand all this negative thinking about the new additions to the standard builds. I'm a half-full-glass kind of person and am willing to give most anything a chance. It's surely a lot more pleasant and positive way to get through life.

[gbaglo]

I'm removing the wheels from my Escape in order to prevent traffic accidents which almost always involve moving vehicles.

[Marry]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I'm removing the wheels from my Escape in order to prevent traffic accidents which almost always involve moving vehicles.

Won't get you very far!!
Rather keep the wheels rolling, Escape, and instead of eating keep your glass half full!! Like Karen says.

[cpaharley2008]

Dometic has after market kits to convert manual to automatic operation, including the wind/rain sensor which is battery operated separate from the awning and the motors to convert manual awnings to automatic. So replacement/repair parts are already readily accessible.

[gocamp]

Anyone know how easy it would be to install the Dometic factory LED strip that mounts on the Rail? Is it simple plug in then the rail mount? (Escape has their own LED and Does not offer the factory Dometic LED to customers).

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by advenas

Honestly, I was impressed by the Dometic power awning when I was at Escape trailers. It looked to be well built and operated very smoothly. My concern is after a few years in the field the automatic retraction sensor quits working and/or the motor gives up and dies. Either is expensive to fix and not warrantied farther out than perhaps a year? After that I'm stuck with a broken awning and a several hundred dollar repair. And from that perspective I'd much rather deal with the manual awning. Just my own personal perspective and preference.

this camper for one respects your thoughts, reasoning, opinions and right to express them..
another random thought ...with waiting until build time for the trailer and since this particular Dometic awning is somewhat new, perhaps more feedback from actual users will yield more relevant data for a final decision... manual or automatic.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

My automatic awning has worked exactly the way it was designed, it retracted twice in breezy weather otherwise it has remained steady for more than a dozen expansions and retractions.

perhaps I missed it but is there a real hardwired power off switch (turns off power to the motors) on the new Dometic awning so for example while traveling when you want to be sure the awning can not extend accidentally and/or the awning electronics has a brain fart ?
The Carefree version appeared to have this hardwired power off switch.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, there is a separate "on/off" switch mounted on the kitchen end, next to the door which cuts the power off to the awning and which has to be "on" in order for the remote to operate. Comes with a nice "on/off" label also.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by freespirit

this camper for one respects your thoughts, reasoning, opinions and right to express them..

It has been mentioned many times before, but this is one of the things that sets Escape above other trailers, the fact we can make these choices for our own reasons. Either a powered or manual awning will still do the job, and plenty of good memories can be made with either, or even no awning at all for tha matter.

I certainly have had my reservations regarding this new awning when it was introduced as the standard, but my desire for it to be what I hope it will be wins out for me. Only time will tell for sure, but not too worried, there can always be a Plan B.

[Santiago]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

It has been mentioned many times before, but this is one of the things that sets Escape above other trailers, the fact we can make these choices for our own reasons. Either a powered or manual awning will still do the job, and plenty of good memories can be made with either, or even no awning at all for that matter.

Amen to that Jim. I am a good example as Escape allowed my Classic 21 awning to be left out. At my request they glassed in wood blocking and showed me where it was so that in the event I move on to a smaller Escape down the road the new owner will be able to attach a brand new awning. Other manufacturers will not change squat, thinking of Casita. Eleven years ago, I asked Casita that they NOT cut a big hole on the roof for the manual roof vent so I could garage it. To my amazement, the manager told me the productions workers are trained to cut the hole and not cutting it would confuse them. I wanted no credit for the vent and suggested it would save them time, cutting , riveting, sealing and fitting to interior's ceiling rat fur. He said they sell every unit they build and do not have to accommodate any change even minor ones. I went to Scamp and they accommodated me. The 13 ft Scamp, sans roof vent, rolled through my 7 ft high garage door between trips. Warning: new Scamp 13 built after the 2006 factory fire are taller and likely not make it through a 7 ft garage door. Mine was 2005 model pre-fire.

[Kountrykamper]

The new windows might break or the medicine cabinet or maybe the new fridge too. You could also have a flat tire.

I think ETI does their homework because problems for the customer are problems for them. They are not going to offer something they think will be a problem down the road.

Guess I have a different outlook. Anything can break but I keep my tires properly inflated and don't spend a lot of time worrying about things that might happen.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Kountrykamper

.......don't spend a lot of time worrying about things that might happen.

I liken worry to panic, neither allows rationale thinking to prevail. But, I know that not everyone can be so easy going, my dear wife is one who is quite prone to worry, could be the motherly instinct.

[skyfree]

I was one of the original doubters as well, but in the end we stuck with the automatic Dometic due to: A) There is no credit for getting the manual version even though it is probably cheaper for ETI to obtain, B) ETI was unable to give me a model # for the manual version so I didn't know what I would be getting. FWIW, the Dometic looks pretty nice and I liked the looks of that test video that shows them pummeling one with 50 mph winds:

Dometic premium awning stress test

They don't mention the exact model, but it looks like the 9000 series.

[Donna D.]

One point in favor of the old style awning with arms is we get to use awning deflappers! It really quiets the awning down even in a gentle breeze. I like sitting under my awning in a gentle breeze and not hear the fabric flap. I wonder what can be done for those with the automatics?

[ReagentGrade]

Here's a video showing the auto retract.
https://youtu.be/ef-Xks-GmbY

[SFDavis50]

Interesting that the you tube videos are from the 2010/2011 time frame. While they are new to Escape they aren't new to the RV industry.

[cpaharley2008]

Anyone want some awning deflappers, awning tie downs and awning safety straps, I got it all and no longer need them.