Awning Removal

[DMPortland]

I want to take off the awning on our 2012 Escape 19 - has anyone done this? How do I access the upper bracket bolts/nuts from the interior? Would I need to install a gutter over the entry door? Bad idea?

[gbaglo]

Bad idea.
It rains in Oregon doesn't it? I use my awning all the time to protect camp chairs, table, me, from rain. If wind is an issue, I'll just open it part way.

[Iowa Dave]

Perhaps if you studied the Carefree Site you could find installation instructions and work backwards. Why would you want to take the awning off, permanently, ? That's a powerful spring, be careful of the up - down flipper. You might want to pin the roller with a good roll pin before you start. There's a screw in the awning channel that keeps the awning from sliding out of being centered. Easy does it. And get some help and good ladders. That's all I got.
Dave

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Bad idea.
It rains in Oregon doesn't it? I use my awning all the time to protect camp chairs, table, me, from rain. If wind is an issue, I'll just open it part way.

Glenn, like you, we use the awning all the time. After a few times, deploy and store are simple and only take a minute. It's common for us to roll the awning up if we're leaving the camp for any amount of time. At rallies, it usually is met with, " what's wrong, are you leaving" Nope, Beer run.
Dave

[Jim Bennett]

I would contact Escape if you really want to do it. You would have to deal with filling the holes from the mounting bolts too.

I am with baglo. I could not imagine not having an awning. Ours gets deployed when setting up 99% of the time. A great place to hand out with friends in the rain.

[Ron in BC]

Like the others, it wouldn't be equipment that I'd remove. What's the reason for wanting it gone?

It's just bolted on and could be removed fairly easily. I wouldn't permanently patch the bolt holes though. I'd replace them with bolts with a fender washer and rubber washer or sealant. The next owner would probably want to re-install the awning.

Ron

[DMPortland]

I want to remove it because it's something we never use. My past awnings just seem to get wet all winter and there is little opportunity to dry it out after camping in this wet climate. Then it turns brown with mold or whatever. Why carry around 60 plus pounds of non-aerodynamic wet fabric? At the beach it's too windy to extend and in the forest there is plenty of shade...

I know that many folks enjoy their awnings and they can be an attractive campsite accessory, but keeping in mind we don't use ours, any further advice on the mechanics of removing it would be appreciated.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by DMPortland

I want to take off the awning on our 2012 Escape 19 - has anyone done this? How do I access the upper bracket bolts/nuts from the interior? Would I need to install a gutter over the entry door? Bad idea?

Easy to remove but before you remove the arms from the roller , the springs will unwind and it will be fast . If you call Carefree they will tell you the proper way to do it . I have installed a awning before and removed those springs to install what is called a pioneer kit , getting rid of the springs and trust me you can get hurt if you don't have the information and proper steps before you remove the awning . Pat

[gbaglo]

You should probably buy a 2017 without the awning. Sell yours with the awning.
I've been reading this forum and FGRV for eight years and this is the first time I've seen somebody asking how to remove an awning. Most of the posts are about adding an awning.

[Greg A]

Could just take it into a Camping World or RV shop and see what they'd charge to remove it for you. The springs can be dicey as Pat says, if your unfamiliar with it.

[padlin]

How about a seeing if ETI will remove it?, you're not that far away.

[Donna D.]

Your trailer, your choice, your decision.

You've probably noticed, you are not getting the answers here. I think mainly it's because no one has actually done it. But you have gotten some ideas of what may be involved.

I'd suggest asking your question on a much, much bigger forum. It doesn't matter the brand of trailer, you're interested in removing a brand of awning that's used on a number of different RVs.

Maybe you would like to ask your question at one of our sister forums such as: http://www.irv2.com/

Good luck!

[MyronL]

We've opened the awning on our 19 so very few times it seems I need a refresher course in the steps each time, but when we want it we're happy it's there for us.
My big gripe with ours is I've had to replace a broken bracket three times now, and they cost $35 with shipping ($15) from Carefree of Colorado. I bust them when backing the trailer into my canopy. Pot metal. It only takes a slight kiss.

This last time it happened I was furious enough to go stomping into my garage and search for some scrap aluminum and I made my own shoe bracket.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by DMPortland

I want to remove it because it's something we never use. My past awnings just seem to get wet all winter and there is little opportunity to dry it out after camping in this wet climate. Then it turns brown with mold or whatever. Why carry around 60 plus pounds of non-aerodynamic wet fabric? At the beach it's too windy to extend and in the forest there is plenty of shade...

I know that many folks enjoy their awnings and they can be an attractive campsite accessory, but keeping in mind we don't use ours, any further advice on the mechanics of removing it would be appreciated.

I have fully replaced an awning on a trailer, the stick built I had previous to my 19. It is actually very easy to do. To remove would be only half the work.

What I did was to take out the bolts top and bottom on the arms (mine were lag bolted in, whereas Escape uses through bolts with backing). Leave the arms attached to the roll. There are a couple stop screws through the fabric cording on the top track to stop the fabric from sliding side to side that have to come out too. Check the awning track mounted to the trailer to ensure that there are no wee dings in it that would pinch the cording on the top that might impede the cording sliding out of the track. Make sure the awning is completely rolled up, so there will be next to no tension on the spring. Then, with the help of another able body, each one take an arm, and slide the awning off the track. It is just that easy.

The other good thing, is you can clean it and dry it, then store it, and if ever needed reverse the procedure to put it back on.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by DMPortland

I want to remove it because it's something we never use. My past awnings just seem to get wet all winter and there is little opportunity to dry it out after camping in this wet climate. Then it turns brown with mold or whatever. Why carry around 60 plus pounds of non-aerodynamic wet fabric? At the beach it's too windy to extend and in the forest there is plenty of shade...

I know that many folks enjoy their awnings and they can be an attractive campsite accessory, but keeping in mind we don't use ours, any further advice on the mechanics of removing it would be appreciated.

In the 8 years we have owned a fiberglass trailer , we have never used the on board shower yet I have no intention of tearing the shower out. I can count on one hand the number of times we have used our own board fresh water tank but it ain't coming out .
We have never run our water heater on propane but again I am not going to rip out the propane lines.
We have an awning , use it and are not going to remove it.
Tearing out the awning may cost you more in the long run than just leaving things as they are. Many times in my attempts to remove things , I have created collateral damage that made me wish that I had just left well enough alone.

[rbryan4]

We like the awning so it's hard to relate to the OP's original question. But, as Jim pointed out, it's easy to take off. You'll have bolt holes in the shell that need to be patched if you want to make the removal permanent. Only caution there would be if you ever intend to sell. The awnings are a desirable feature to prospective buyers. If you really want to remove it, perhaps you can just plug the mounting holes with some small plastic caps. That way if you ever do sell, the awning can be easily remounted.

[Donna D.]

My trailer loaded for camping may weigh close to two tons. 80bs is nothing. I've used the awning in the rain, as long as there's no wind. But I really use it when it's sunny. I think it keeps the trailer cooler and some of the places I've camped, the tallest tree was about 3' tall. (Glad I have a bathroom too )

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Easy to remove but before you remove the arms from the roller , the springs will unwind and it will be fast . If you call Carefree they will tell you the proper way to do it . I have installed a awning before and removed those springs to install what is called a pioneer kit , getting rid of the springs and trust me you can get hurt if you don't have the information and proper steps before you remove the awning . Pat

Lot's to think about . I still would call Carefree and get the steps before you attempt . When the awning is new and never installed it is tied up and I believe there was a screw installed to keep it from unexpectedly unrolling . Once you have the information it is easy for sure . Just be smart and safe . Pat

[camper11]

Hey; I've got a 19", now with a broken canopy. I may be interested in purchasing yours if that's the way you're going.