New awning

[Kountrykamper]

I purchased the Carefree deflappers and installed them when our camper was new. I found we I did not need them because it never flapped if you pull down and make the awning tight before you tighten the top bar. After snugging it up if it gets windy enough I retract the awning.

I wish I could just push a button.

Someday maybe.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Kountrykamper

I found we I did not need them because it never flapped if you pull down and make the awning tight before you tighten the top bar.

Never had any flappers, but that's been my experience too. No flapping at all if you tension the awning by pulling down before tightening the knob.

[Donna D.]

Obviously y'all don't camp on the Pacific Ocean where there's all kinds of wind... from steady to gusts. When I camp where it's pretty much calm, no deflappers needed. Different strokes for different folks.

[Starbrightsteve]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Discussions in this forum (this thread and others) have already gone through this in great detail. I think if you do a Google search for any product you're more likely to find the vocally dissatisified than the quietly happy. The Dometic-made (but different brand and model) power awning on my motorhome never retracted undesirably.

If you Google search for problems with the electronic systems on modern cars and light trucks, then apply this reasoning, you may consider shopping for a Model T.

There are now a few new-style Escapes in owners' hands, and all of them have the Dometic 9500 power awning (the point of Canadark's post #41, showing the first manual awning unit in production)... so are any of them retracting when they shouldn't?

So , Brian B-P, I'm not looking for a model t. I'm not exactly sure why you suggest I look for a model t. I want a trouble free awning. Kinda like the one on the older Escape. So how is the new awning on your new 2017 working? Or do you have the older Escape awning. It's interesting you mention all the new 2017's with the perfectly operating awnings. Now that it's November and camping season, I'm sure those new awnings are burning up the watts, amps and volts as they deploy and detract. Thanks so much for all your helpful info. I'll consider looking for a model T,. Do you have suggestions on doing that also?

[Canadark]

My final photos from ETI included these two, which clearly show that the manual awning will have support arms that can be attached to the side of the trailer. Once I pick up the unit and have had some time to test things out, I will report back on my experience.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Canadark

My final photos from ETI included these two, which clearly show that the manual awning will have support arms that can be attached to the side of the trailer. Once I pick up the unit and have had some time to test things out, I will report back on my experience.

If that is the case, and I certainly do see the attachment pieces, you would think it could be done if desired on the powered version. One would just want to disable the auto-retract feature.

[SFDavis50]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If that is the case, and I certainly do see the attachment pieces, you would think it could be done if desired on the powered version. One would just want to disable the auto-retract feature.

Except the manual version is Carefree of Colorado and the electric is Dometic. Is the manual version of the Dometic provided with vertical support arms?

I would like an electric version manufactured by Carefree as they are located in my hometown but Escape isn't offering it.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

Except the manual version is Carefree of Colorado and the electric is Dometic. Is the manual version of the Dometic provided with vertical support arms?

I would like an electric version manufactured by Carefree as they are located in my hometown but Escape isn't offering it.

I just remembered this, and came back to edit, but alas, I my brain fart is forever etched in the thread.

[Marry]

Maybe a dumm question here, but can you still open the frameless windows when support arms are installed?

[SFDavis50]

I assume the support arms come down from the open awning so they would folded up in the awning case in the picture. If they have to be detached and stowed that would be a real pain.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by Canadark

My final photos from ETI included these two, which clearly show that the manual awning will have support arms that can be attached to the side of the trailer. Once I pick up the unit and have had some time to test things out, I will report back on my experience.

looking forward to it...and please post a pic of the awning deployed with arms....

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Starbrightsteve

I'm not exactly sure why you suggest I look for a model t. I want a trouble free awning. Kinda like the one on the older Escape.

Sorry, my point was apparently not clear. Even systems which are extremely reliable and effective will be the subject of online complaints, so if you weight those complaints too heavily, you will likely be discouraged from using useful technology. Every automotive advancement since the first mass-production cars is reviled by some internet rant, but I think a reasonable compromise is to accept most of that technology.

Of course I'm not suggesting that anyone shop for a Model T.

If anyone is looking for absolutely trouble-free awning, I suggest they look at the primitive design found on moulded fiberglass trailers of the 1960's... since the perfectly good and functional manual awning on "classic" Escapes is the subject of many complaints on the internet (in this forum ) about it unfurling in transit, being complex to operate, and other issues... probably all manageable.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

since the perfectly good and functional manual awning on "classic" Escapes is the subject of many complaints on the internet (in this forum ) about it unfurling in transit, being complex to operate, and other issues... probably all manageable.

User Error. RTFM.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

User Error. RTFM.

Not neccessary if all there are is, is two buttons to push.

I actually kid, as unlike the stigma attached to many male egos, I do RTFM. I will even ask for directions.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

.... I will even ask for directions.

But, do you follow those directions?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

But, do you follow those directions?

My wife would say no!

[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).

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Jim and Glenn
I was never much of manual reader until I had to manage the municipal pools.
Without the manual we were quickly lost, calibrating chlorinators and at that time using 150 lb cylinders of chlorine gas. When tragedy and death are a real possibility pride and assumption better go out the window. After that realization, I started reading the manual on anything unfamiliar. Indirect job benefit. Sometimes I ask for directions, other times I go with dead (wrong) reckoning.
Dave

[paulk]

Originally Posted by Canadark

My final photos from ETI included these two, which clearly show that the manual awning will have support arms that can be attached to the side of the trailer. Once I pick up the unit and have had some time to test things out, I will report back on my experience.

So.. what do you think now that you have it? I'm considering getting the manual awning too, and ETI said that after testing it, they're sticking with the Carefree model instead of using the Dometic. I'm not quite sure why they chose that way.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by paulk

ETI said that after testing it, they're sticking with the Carefree model instead of using the Dometic. I'm not quite sure why they chose that way.

My guess is that it's because of the supply chain and availability - not so much any superiority of one over the other.