Best Awning option....

[khite]

Hi folks,

I know that there has been a lot of discussion about awnings, and I was wondering if folks have been the happiest with Carefree of Colorado, Trim-Line (Dometic), or Shademaster bag awning products. I love the colors offered by Carefree, but want something well made and approved of by fellow eggs owners.

It will be placed on a 1971 13' Boler.

Pics would be amazing if you are willing to share.

Thanks!

Kathy

[Doug Mager]

Kathy, we have some pics of our Carefree but I don't know that they'd show anything that would help you.
Our vote goes to Carefree but note, there is about a foot difference in the width (front to bacl) of awning you can add to a Boler compared to a Trillium (like ours is) because of the slight difference in the curvature of the two bodys....

[Earl E. November]

I am having the same thoughts,,Also would be interested in the Add a room option, if anyone has any insights.

[Donna D.]

There's an almost identical discussion going on here under General Chat. http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ngs-45087.html Maybe a moderator can merge these two discussions together...

[Randy Bishop]

I've got both the Carefree of Colorado and Trim-Line and I like the Carefree the best because it braces back to the camper instead of the poles needing to be staked down to the ground like the Trim Line does.I asked the guy I bought the Trim line from if the poles attached to the camper instead of needing staked and he said it did but once I got it I found out it does not. I bought it off E-bay and really couldn't return it because of how much freight would cost so now I'm stuck with it....
RANDY

[Brian Van Snell]

Originally Posted by khite

Hi folks,

I know that there has been a lot of discussion about awnings, and I was wondering if folks have been the happiest with Carefree of Colorado, Trim-Line (Dometic), or Shademaster bag awning products. I love the colors offered by Carefree, but want something well made and approved of by fellow eggs owners.

It will be placed on a 1971 13' Boler.

Pics would be amazing if you are willing to share.

Thanks!

Kathy

Kathy:

Here is a picture of our Carefree awning on our trailer.

Ladybug at Deception Pass S.P. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Works fine. No complaints.

Brian

[Carol H]

I have the Dometic but have serious Carefree envy!!!

[Robert Johans]

Are there any concerns about the straight arms of the Carefree awning when folded to the curvaceous sides of a Boler?

Can they be bought at a size (6-7 feet) appropriate to the 13' Boler?

Has anyone actually installed one of these onto a 13' Boler or Scamp?

[Doug Mager]

Some friends have a 7footer on the side of their Boler (13ft.) and it (IMHO) doesn't look too appropriate.

Our Carefree's 'legs' collapse and fold up into the bag awning attached to the trailer body. Although the trailer has attachment points on the body, I/we prefer to have the legs extend straight down. This allows for more more 'clearance' when moving in and around the trailer. No need to be ducking under a metal bar, LOL!!!!

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Robert Johans

Are there any concerns about the straight arms of the Carefree awning when folded to the curvaceous sides of a Boler?

Can they be bought at a size (6-7 feet) appropriate to the 13' Boler?

Has anyone actually installed one of these onto a 13' Boler or Scamp?

Carefree has several curved profile legs (arms?) available for the Fiesta Awning, as they have been installed on Airstreams and Burros.




They have shorter leg sizes available, if that's what you mean in your second question. The legs on my Fiber Stream's Fiesta Awning are only 5' 4" when in the stored position.


If you mean length along the awning rail, I have seen an 8' (or was it 7'?) Fiesta Awning on an Airstream Caravel, because that is all the straight body there is to attach the rail to.


You might have to special order such a complicated design. Shorter than 8' might limit you to a bag style (not a Fiesta "Roll-up").

[Robert Johans]

Ironically, these photos illustrate my concern. Because of the Burro's vertically oriented clamshell construction, the sides are relatively straight (that is, 90 degrees perpendicular to the ground) much like the Fiberstream. The Caravel also has flat sides up to the curving roofline.

The Boler's walls have a none to subtle arc from top to bottom. The trailer's width measures approx 70" at the top and bottom, and expands to 77" at the center. Then add another 5/8" for the protruding belly band.

All of this would prevent the Carefree's straight legs from folding flat and flush to the trailer's side. In other words, the awning's legs must be equally curved to match the arc of the trailer walls in order to fold tightly.

Also, to look proper, the max width of the awning can be no more than 78". Perhaps Carefree can customize their sizes?

I'd love to hear from anyone with a 13" Boler or Scamp that has a Carefree installed.

[Robert Johans]

Originally Posted by Robert Johans

Ironically, these photos illustrate my concern. Because of the Burro's vertically oriented clamshell construction, the sides are relatively straight (that is, 90 degrees perpendicular to the ground) much like the Fiberstream. The Caravel also has flat sides up to the curving roofline.

The Boler's walls have a none to subtle arc from top to bottom. The trailer's width measures approx 70" at the top and bottom, and expands to 77" at the center. Then add another 5/8" for the protruding belly band.

All of this would prevent the Carefree's straight legs from folding flat and flush to the trailer's side. In other words, the awning's legs must be equally curved to match the arc of the trailer walls in order to fold tightly.

Also, to look proper, the max width of the awning can be no more than 78". Perhaps Carefree can customize their sizes?

I'd love to hear from anyone with a 13" Boler or Scamp that has a Carefree installed.

It just now occurs to me that I may have been missing the boat....

Do the legs of the Carefree disengage from the body and fold into the "bag" when in transit?

[ken h]

This might help with the awning hardware

Dometic Universal Hardware for 8500/9000 Awnings Hope this helps

[barryra]

Great subject...

[Robert Johans]

Thanks, Ken. This is very useful. These diagrams do, however, imply that the arms remain affixed to the shell when in transit. Would you agree?

[pindraak]

I want to do something with my nearly worn-out 10 foot Sunburst awning.

Unfortunately, two Carefree dealers I called said the awnings no longer come in lengths shorter than 12 feet. I think I would rather not have the pole style. A&E is the only other option I am seeing, which I got quoted at around $1000 plus labor.

A new canvas for the Sunburst is about $350 plus labor, which is supposed to be about $200 or so. The problem is that the Sunburst is a pain to operate, sticks out more than I would like when stowed, and if anything breaks, I'm screwed, as Sunburst has been out of business so long it might be impossible to repair.

I wish there was some other option. Does anyone do without an awning? It seems like it would be a drag in harsh sun or rain.

[ken h]

Yes the hardware is mounted to side of the unit. You could go with a box awning they work great ,but you will have to fabricate a bracket .I had one on my Surfside

[Doug Mager]

Ken, just a thought in passing ....does this set up leak water between the awning and the body in a rainstorm???

[ken h]

Originally Posted by Doug Mager

Ken, just a thought in passing ....does this set up leak water between the awning and the body in a rainstorm???

You can't see it to well but there is a piece of aluminum sheet metal about 9 inches by 11feet that was glassed and sealed to the roof. No wind or rain could get by .

On my Bigfoot it will be A @ E awning 14 ft.

[Doug Mager]

Nice setup thanks for sharing those pics.