Manual Awning VS Power Awning

[Ron in BC]

Thankfully, IMO, ETI allows buyers to choose their own compromises.

Unfortunately some folks have made their choices and then come back to complain about them. Definitely the combination of an awning window and a manual awning arm is something that buyers should be aware of and maybe ETI should at least advise folks about when they're configuring their trailer.

Ron

 

[Selkirk]

Planning on getting a 23' Escape F1. Also planning on getting frameless windows. The manual awning has an arm that appears to go in front of the window. This means you can't open the window without the awning being extended.

Anyone have this configuration? Any concerns with it?

I configured my E19 with framed slider windows (with the optional frameless venting rear window) partially because of the awning interference. I felt that that this was the best decision based on the window options available at the time.

However, if I were to configure to my trailer today, I would choose the top hinged, outward opening acrylic windows and live with the awning interference issues.

In the two seasons that I have used my trailer, I find myself not needing to open the affected windows in order to achieve good ventilation in the trailer with the awning closed. There are enough adjacent windows on the E19 that can be opened anytime where it's not an issue for me.

Granted, the window sizes, locations, and layout on the E23 is very different than the E19....

 

[Centex]

Unfortunately some folks have made their choices and then come back to complain about them.

My post acknowledged that some folks suffer 'buyer's remorse' about decisions they make, for whatever reason. IMO there's no 100% 'cure' for that in regard to anything.

.... and maybe ETI should at least advise folks about when they're configuring their trailer.

FWIW I distinctly remember ETI's Linda Fedoruk raising this point when we were discussing configurations for my trailer.

I sincerely doubt that anyone buying an Escape is 'caught unaware' or 'surprised' by awning arm / awning window 'conflict' upon taking delivery. Whether they considered the implications carefully, or come to regret their informed decision, is a different matter entirely.

Yeah, I believe manufacturers should preclude things which present a safety hazard, but I don't think they should be dictatorial nannies about things such as this. YMMV.

 

[MrLynn]

Update

So far we've only used our power awning a couple of times. Once while I was napping, the wind came up, and all of a sudden the awning retracted—scared the dickens out of me! But afterwards, I was glad it did, protecting itself from high gusts. If we're going to be around, can we disable the auto-retract wind sensor (maybe just turn off the power)?

I liked the manual awning on our 2013 Casita, which was easily adjustable for rain. But original Escape owner Shawn left me with a T on a handle to dump puddles if they occurred. So we'll see what this year brings.

UPDATE: On our recent trip to VA (and PA) we had some rainy days. I discovered that even a light rain over two or three hours could create a deep, heavy puddle sagging the awning, enough so I worried it could damage the structure.

The poly T that Shawn left me came in handy—one time I used it forcibly and it triggered the wind sensor, so the awning retracted itself—that's one way to get the water off! Fortunately, I had already spilled out a good deal of the water.

If we're parked for a while, we like to put a small table and chairs out under the awning, so I'm coming to the conclusion that if we were to buy a new Escape, I'd opt for a manual awning that would let the rain run off. But the issue is moot for now. I do like the light on the power awning.

 

[Luvnlife-ESC]

You can get the led lights regardless of awning.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

You can get the led lights regardless of awning.

indeed, or what I did.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CX1Y8WVS (cut to 12 ft long)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLTSN673

and 13 feet of some milky-white silicone hose to thread the light tape into. after getting the tape into the hose, I sealed both ends with Lexel clear sealant.

I connected everything with a couple of these (soldered, shrinkwrapped)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4YMR4NW

and a power plug that plugs into an external 12V jack i previously put next to the aft awning arm mount. I have a splitter block for my 12V power so I can run more things than just the lights if needed (often put USB chargers, and sometimes my 'boom box' (a car stereo in a wooden box with a 12V20AH battery and speaker jacks) on it.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

You can get the led lights regardless of awning.

This.

We bought our 2021 Escape 19 used. Manual awning and factory installed LED light strip with remote and varying brightness settings.

 

[Selkirk]

This.

We bought our 2021 Escape 19 used. Manual awning and factory installed LED light strip with remote and varying brightness settings.

That's how I configured mine as well....

Pro Tip: You can configure the porch lite with an amber lens as a no-cost option. Combining that option with the LED awning strip light gives you the best of both worlds. You get nice bright/uniform outdoor lighting whenever you need it....and low key amber lighting for mosquito season.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

That's how I configured mine as well....

Pro Tip: You can configure the porch lite with an amber lens as a no-cost option. Combining that option with the LED awning strip light gives you the best of both worlds. You get nice bright/uniform outdoor lighting whenever you need it....and low key amber lighting for mosquito season.

Our last RV had an amber porch light. That is my preference too.

This was our first year with it, so I don't want to mod too much before it's necessary. But it's on the list.

I haven't looked into swapping it yet. Not Sure if it's an easy bulb and cover swap or more to it.

 

[iamunique127]

Our last RV had an amber porch light. That is my preference too.

This was our first year with it, so I don't want to mod too much before it's necessary. But it's on the list.

I haven't looked into swapping it yet. Not Sure if it's an easy bulb and cover swap or more to it.

It's a totally simple lens swap. I did it the first day we owned our trailer.

I believe I saw the amber lenses at Transcona Trailer Sales the other day.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

It's a totally simple lens swap. I did it the first day we owned our trailer.

I believe I saw the amber lenses at Transcona Trailer Sales the other day.

Awesome! I drive by there for work every few weeks. Otherwise it's a long drive from Charleswood for just a lens.

Thanks much!

 

[DanandDaphne]

Here's the amber lense on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Partsam-Rect...se+for+rv+exterior+light,pbdd,119&sr=1-4&th=1

 

[Allan Bornestig]

Appreciate your tip on the Allen key for awning adjustment and the location of serial number inside the awning. Will double check to make sure we have the correct size in our tool kit and will locate the # on our next voyage out. Already in the habit of checking the top before closing...thanks to you good folks here. Itchin' to get out soon!

Thanks, -The Bea Team

We have a 2017 19 with the electric awning. So far so good. We do use it in the rain but not during any overly windy situations. Often just put it half way out or giving it a nudge upwards if there is water pooling. I may try the painters pole idea to prevent a puddle forming up there. It's a long story but I did have the automatic dump feature do its job once and it worked well and I was able to just pop it back into place. I struggle with what I would do if i was buying today. There a plusses and minuses with both systems as is the case with most things.

 

[OneCentHillman]

No "one-size" solution to this question.
We had a manual awning on our E19 and loved it for all reasons mentioned above, except... DH always complained that it did not extended far enough.
Had intended on ordering a manual awning on our E23, however, prior to placing our order, we visited an Ambassador to see their E23. When they opened their power awning we learned that it extends out 2 feet more than a manual awning!
Back to the decision desk. I was the one who always deployed and retracted our E19 manual awning and was happy to continue doing it for our E23, but left the decision to DH, who decided he wanted that extra 2 feet, so we ordered the power awning.
Picking up our E23 the 1st week of December and couldn't be more excited!

 

[Ron in BC]

The question is; do the threads on manual vrs. power awnings outnumber those on slider vrs. awning windows?

I'll resume thinking about it next time that I'm sitting out under my manual awning with the torrential rain run off hosing harmlessly off one end.

Ron

 

[BoxBuster]

Manual Awning and Frameless Windows

Planning on getting a 23' Escape F1. Also planning on getting frameless windows. The manual awning has an arm that appears to go in front of the window. This means you can't open the window without the awning being extended.

Anyone have this configuration? Any concerns with it?

They seem to have addressed this problem with an E23 twin I saw today. Will post pics from my phone later...

The last pic was from the Escape site and it seems on the latest 23 the awning is about 1 or 1 1/2 feet longer. Its longer on the door side and longer on the window side to clear the window. I got up close to the window and it only clears it by about 1/2 inch. not very much but it does clear it.

Also, on this unit it has a different grab rail. It has the larger swivel arm and not the stationary one, but not sure if this was a change the owners wanted or a new standard option for the 23.

Also, talking to the rep. the twin seems to be offering, but not listed on their site a different configuration on the twin kitchen. On the website it shows the kitchen with the ceiling cabinet with the oven installed. However, it seems they can offer a full length kitchen top without a cabinet to the ceiling like the Queen and King floor plans. Saw the pics at the Escape but they said one was mage for the customer this way.