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Topic: Window Awnings - Yes - No? (Read 1318 times) previous topic - next topic

Window Awnings - Yes - No?

You want a 'clean look' - remove your window awnings! Mine was spec'd without them - amazing how much cleaner the coach looks. I can keep the coach cool in the summer without them. I will eventually go to dual pane and it will be even easier! I think I lowered the window awnings on my 93 like 3 times in 18 months.
 
If I get more money than sense I'll do a Girard electric one of these days. My big awning (the only one I have) has been unfurled exactly twice in four years - both times for cleaning...
 
I believe it helps with my mileage too.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Dave Head –
You want a 'clean look' - remove your window awnings! Mine was spec'd without them - amazing how much cleaner the coach looks. I can keep the coach cool in the summer without them. I will eventually go to dual pane and it will be even easier! I think I lowered the window awnings on my 93 like 3 times in 18 months.
 
If I get more money than sense I'll do a Girard electric one of these days. My big awning (the only one I have) has been unfurled exactly twice in four years - both times for cleaning...
 
I believe it helps with my mileage too.

Must be different strokes, etc, but we use our window awnings all the time.  They make a big difference in heat gain in the summer sun, even with dual pane windows.  When we're boondocking in the desert they are essential.  Wouldn't be without them! 
We use the big awning much less frequently - partly because it's a pain to get up and partly because we're in windy places a lot, so a Girard might be used more, but they look like they'd be pretty fragile in a wind.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #2 –
Two things -  I do use the awning and really like the Girard - but the stock Zip Dee is a good trade off of cost and efficiency.  Love the Girard, but it has a wind sensor since the Girard apparently can not take a lot of wind.  So on many days with a reasonably light breeze, the Girard will sense "too" much wind and retract on it's own.  There are many very sunny days when I want my awning out that it will not stay out.  And you can see why, the wind has a big surface to work on and it is quite an effective "sail".  Love the convenience, except for that annoying fact.

James told me he is repositioning his business back towards the Prevost style work, which is apparently how the business started and flourished in the early days.  Probably a lot of reasons, (including Foretravel's more competitive recent stance) but obviously with fewer new coaches being built by FT, and all of those coming with FBP, there will certainly be less Foretravel FBP business over time.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #3 –
I sure see both sides of the ladder issue, and more so about the awnings.  I never use the large Zip Dee, have been considering its removal also, infact, never use any awnings.
Guess never got used to the idea since I came from the MCI bus world and no awnings.
I only get on my roof from a large ladder in the shop once. The ladder issues do not fit my size either.  Having just recovered in the hospital from a step ladder fall from my crane truck, mentally, I am more ground bound.
Will bring the ladder home in the pickup, I know about the "Never" word.
Many thanks for the view points
Dave

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #4 –
Quote
Must be different strokes, etc, but we use our window awnings all the time. 
They make a big difference in heat gain in the summer sun, even with dual pane windows. 
When we're boondocking in the desert they are essential.  Wouldn't be without them! 
We also use the Zip Dee awnings all the time. My dark green color attracts heat like a magnet.
Quote
We use the big awning much less frequently - partly because it's a pain to get up and partly because we're in windy places a lot, so a Girard might be used more, but they look like they'd be pretty fragile in a wind.
I had an incident in Montana when a gust of wind came up so quickly from nowhere and my Girard flipped over the top.
Too fast for the wind sensor to react.
It took 5 men to hold it down while I had to manually bring it in which took forever.
I was able to drive it home like that even though the fabric had moved back a couple of inches and I could not fully close it.
Now I never put the Girard out unless I am there in the coach to keep an eye on it..
I went to Zip Dee and had a window awning installed over that passenger side window.

More on awnings in this thread
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11123.msg54139;topicseen#new
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #5 –
As ugly as it may look there are times the big awning should be anchored to a tree or ground stakes. Kinda wonder why some of the better RV CGs don't have anchor points on their pads just for windy situations. I know I don't enjoy myself if I have to worry about the wind coming up and causing damage.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #6 –
I deploy all the window awnings and the large patio awning all the time (except if it is windy).  The window awnings not only keep the early & late sun out, but also gives some degree of privacy w/o having to lower the window shades.
 
Forrest was optioned with dual pane windows (U270's did not have dual pane std) & even then, the awnings are awsome to have.  I do like the cleaner look w/o awnings & ladder, but I'm not there yet.  We like to basically "camp" and the awnings & ladder still come in very handy.  FWIW
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Barry Beam –

We also use the Zip Dee awnings all the time.

Ditto here on the windows.  They make a huge difference in our '03.

Quote
a gust of wind came up so quickly from nowhere and my Girard flipped over the top.
Too fast for the wind sensor to react.
Now I never put the Girard out unless I am there in the coach to keep an eye on it..

I'm a "nervous Nellie" when it comes to our Girard (just ask Steve, it drives him nuts)  :-[ ).  We have also had the current limiter fail so that the awning wouldn't come in automatically.  We primarily use the Girard on drizzly or rainy (but not windy) days to keep the patio area dry, and we don't leave it out if we're not in the coach.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Window Awnings - Yes - No?

Reply #8 –
We have the Zip Dees all the way around and use them on a regular basis. I would not have a moho without awnings. They help keep the inside cooler in hot weather and the big awnings helps keep the refrigerator by shading the siding. Overall we would not be without them. The patio Zip Dee is sooooo much nicer then the one we had on our SOB. It's quieter and is alot better built.
As far as having a ladder, I need one. I use it every time I wash the moho and other times to inspect the roof and clean the solor panals. Some day I know I'll be to old to climb up there but in the mean time it comes in too handy to discard. However, re: looks, if you elimanate the window and patio awnings and the ladder it does make for a sleek looking moho. Maybe some day.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809