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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Old Hippie on October 20, 2015, 11:32:59 am

Title: Awning Use...
Post by: Old Hippie on October 20, 2015, 11:32:59 am
I will be removing my Zipp Dee AutoAwn awning soon and was originally thinking I would replace with a manual version. While thinking through this process my DW asked me "do we really need an awning"? On our last trip (4 months) we did not need an awning at all (especially since ours was OOC) and did not really miss it.
My question is: how many of you think you really need an awning? as I observed in the RV parks we visitied very few put out their awnings.
For the few times we might "need" the shade, is it worth it?
Just wondering....
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: John/Pat on October 20, 2015, 11:38:52 am
I have never used mine in 3 years and wish that I had window awning in its place. As I would use that more often. Might ask FT when I am at my appt what it would cost to do it.
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Rick on October 20, 2015, 11:44:33 am
If you have the storage room consider an aluminum framed E-Z up. Light weight and movable to where you want it. Sometimes you can find them for less than $100.00 with side screens.
Good luck,
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Carol & Scott on October 20, 2015, 11:50:28 am
We use our large awning often.  We also have the window awning that we always use.  We do retract the large awning when we will be away from our spot for a period of time to protect it from possible wind damage.  We also like to sit under the large awning when the hot sun is out and when it's raining.  If/when ours dies I will consider the same question that you are asking.  :D  Good luck.
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: andyr on October 20, 2015, 12:10:21 pm
I have the older Zip-Dee manual awnings and can't imagine not having them! I live in southern California where there is some serious sun. The Zip Dee awnings are really good quality. I have both a patio awning and window awnings and use them all. When I'm not there I put them up to get them out of the sun and in case of wind.
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on October 20, 2015, 12:19:30 pm
I have the older Zip-Dee manual awnings and can't imagine not having them! I live in southern California where there is some serious sun. The Zip Dee awnings are really good quality. I have both a patio awning and window awnings and use them all. When I'm not there I put them up to get them out of the sun and in case of wind.


What he said, in spades!  ^.^d
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Caflashbob on October 20, 2015, 12:23:18 pm
Less hot to sit under a lighter colored main awning.  Mine are too dark in burgundy.

You can feel the heat radiating under any dark awning.

Just saying.

We use ours quite a bit
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Rick & Robyn on October 20, 2015, 12:52:15 pm
When camped under an oak tree and the acorns were dropping like rain I was glad to have it.  Also seems to keep night time dew off everything below.
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: D.J. Osborn on October 20, 2015, 12:57:41 pm
We don't use our every time--particularly if it's a very short stay. However, we really do appreciate having it, and we find that we're using it more and more frequently as time goes by. We wouldn't want to be without it.
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on October 20, 2015, 12:59:47 pm
We were coming back from a weekend outing and the traffic was backed up big time on the Hood Canal floating bridge in WA State. I noticed no marine traffic, got my binocs out and saw a mo/ho in the middle of the bridge with his big awning out! I walked down and told the guy he was wedged in, the damage was done, move the coach, there was no way to close the awning. He did, drug the mess off the bridge and traffic resumed. There is a moral to this story, and I'm sure you all know what it is!
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: bigdog on October 20, 2015, 03:30:29 pm
We were coming back from a weekend outing and the traffic was backed up big time on the Hood Canal floating bridge in WA State. I noticed no marine traffic, got my binocs out and saw a mo/ho in the middle of the bridge with his big awning out! I walked down and told the guy he was wedged in, the damage was done, move the coach, there was no way to close the awning. He did, drug the mess off the bridge and traffic resumed. There is a moral to this story, and I'm sure you all know what it is!

Avoid Hood Canal bridge?? :))
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on October 20, 2015, 05:11:57 pm
Ha! Your only option would be to take 101 up/ down the west side of the canal where you'll find some bridges built in the thirties that are dicey for two large rigs at the same time. The logging trucks love to sucker oncoming coaches!  The old joke is if you want to find parts for awnings/mirrors, look in the rivers below the bridges.  :))
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: bigdog on October 20, 2015, 08:54:03 pm
Ha! Your only option would be to take 101 up/ down the west side of the canal where you'll find some bridges built in the thirties that are dicey for two large rigs at the same time. The logging trucks love to sucker oncoming coaches!  The old joke is if you want to find parts for awnings/mirrors, look in the rivers below the bridges.  :))

Like bridge of the Gods in the gorge?
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on October 20, 2015, 08:58:02 pm
Like bridge of the Gods in the gorge?

Exactly! You get the new coach back to Wally World with all the knuckles intact?
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Dub on October 22, 2015, 03:57:33 pm
If I had back the hops and barley spent under an awning since 1980 I reckon it would take a large trailer to hold it.. I would be lost without my porch but we all have different wants and needs...
Title: Re: Awning Use...
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on October 22, 2015, 04:06:03 pm
If I had back the hops and barley spent under an awning since 1980 I reckon it would take a large trailer to hold it..

Or, as someone once told me, "enough to melt a Ford F-150".  :))