advice re: awnings for 13' Trillium

[Denise T]

Hi, I'm a new member, looking for some advice on a replacement awning for my 13 ft Trillium (1974). I had an old-style bag awning but I lost it last month. The awning rail looks like it got bent at the rear end (I suspect in some big gusts of wind that came up while the awning was up), and it opened up enough to allow the bag to slide out somewhere along the highway (oops)

So I'm wondering what advice folks have for replacing my awning? I've been looking at the bag awnings on the Interwest Sports website -- does anyone have experience with those? Or, does anyone in BC know where I could find a decent bag awning more locally?

thanks,
Denise

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Denise T

I had an old-style bag awning but I lost it last month. The awning rail looks like it got bent at the rear end (I suspect in some big gusts of wind that came up while the awning was up), and it opened up enough to allow the bag to slide out somewhere along the highway (oops)

If you still have your awning rail, I suspect all bag awnings are generic enough to slide right in. Just make sure that the rail itself has not come loose from the shell. Once the awning is slid into the rail, I would put a screw into the rail on each side of the awning to prevent unwanted lateral movement. This is what my roll-up awning has.

I think all awning manufacturers make a pretty good product; just figure out which one gives you the best price.

[Denise T]

thanks, Frederick. I also found a similar thread from a while back and it has some helpful commentary on the awning I'm considering from Intrawest (Shademaker).

cheers,
Denise

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

If you still have your awning rail, I suspect all bag awnings are generic enough to slide right in. Just make sure that the rail itself has not come loose from the shell. Once the awning is slid into the rail, I would put a screw into the rail on each side of the awning to prevent unwanted lateral movement. This is what my roll-up awning has.

I think all awning manufacturers make a pretty good product; just figure out which one gives you the best price.

[jimtesla]

i have an awning for a trillium trailer i purchased from a member awhile back
its still in the packages in which it was shipped
i have never used it because i painted the trailer and want to get a different
color
if your interested i can send you a photo and make you a great deal

jim

[jimtesla]

here is a photo again its still in the shipping package and its made for your trailer

[sadie10023]

Hi, noted you have a Trillium awning for sale? If the other gal has not grabbed it up, can you let me know what you are asking and more details if they exist - looks like one big awning! i have a '78 Trillium/blue decals.

Thanks
sadie10023

Originally Posted by jimtesla

here is a photo again its still in the shipping package and its made for your trailer

[Denise T]

Hi Jim,

Have been away for the w/e ... enjoying some camping in my Trillium so I'm just looking at the picture you posted now. Thanks. It's a nice looking awning! I have a few questions...

What fabric is the awning made of?
Does it roll up into a bag which slides into the awning rail (i.e., like my old one?) (And it's made to fit an 8 foot rail? )
And what are you asking for it?

Thanks,

Denise

Originally Posted by jimtesla

here is a photo again its still in the shipping package and its made for your trailer

[jimtesla]

It was made for your trailer
It fits in a small blue bag that does not stay on the rail
So you dont have to worry about it falling off
The poles are separate from the bag. Not sure on the fabric but I'm sure it's the same
As the other awnings. Would like 140 plus shipping

[Denise T]

Good price -- I'm tempted!

But I think I'll go with another bag model that stays on the rail, and I'll just make sure it doesn't fall off next time!

thanks,

Denise

Originally Posted by jimtesla

It was made for your trailer
It fits in a small blue bag that does not stay on the rail
So you dont have to worry about it falling off
The poles are separate from the bag. Not sure on the fabric but I'm sure it's the same
As the other awnings. Would like 140 plus shipping

[Randy Bishop]

Denise,
I've got 6 Trilliums and have got 4 with awnings so far, all 4 are different (Trimline, Carefree, A&E, and Shademaker) and believe me the best one in the whole bunch is the Carefree.It's made with square tubing with locking tension adjusters...It has brackets that mount on the side of the camper so the legs lock into there instead of being staked to the ground..The Trimline has plastic mounts that also mount on the side but the legs only set in the bracket instead of locking, so a small breeze can send it over the top..The Carefree I've had it out in 45mph winds in Kansas and it took it with no problems..I'll set them up tomorrow and take pictures and show you the difference...I've been going to do this for awhile now because this same question had been asked before but just never got around to it been lazy I guess...I'll post pictures of the hardware, adjusters and all tomorrow...

[Harvey9]

Randy, I'm looking for an awning, look forward to seeing your photos.

Harvey

[Denise T]

Hi Randy -- It's good to get someone's first-hand experiences "in the field" -- and it'll be great to see your pictures. I find some of the pics on the manufacturer's websites aren't that helpful for seeing how an awning really works.

Are you able to put up the Carefree awning with 1 person?

thanks!
Denise

Originally Posted by Randy Bishop

Denise,
I've got 6 Trilliums and have got 4 with awnings so far, all 4 are different (Trimline, Carefree, A&E, and Shademaker) and believe me the best one in the whole bunch is the Carefree.It's made with square tubing with locking tension adjusters...It has brackets that mount on the side of the camper so the legs lock into there instead of being staked to the ground..The Trimline has plastic mounts that also mount on the side but the legs only set in the bracket instead of locking, so a small breeze can send it over the top..The Carefree I've had it out in 45mph winds in Kansas and it took it with no problems..I'll set them up tomorrow and take pictures and show you the difference...I've been going to do this for awhile now because this same question had been asked before but just never got around to it been lazy I guess...I'll post pictures of the hardware, adjusters and all tomorrow...

[Randy Bishop]

Originally Posted by Denise T

Hi Randy -- It's good to get someone's first-hand experiences "in the field" -- and it'll be great to see your pictures. I find some of the pics on the manufacturer's websites aren't that helpful for seeing how an awning really works.

Are you able to put up the Carefree awning with 1 person?

thanks!
Denise

Sorry guys I had to go out of state to bid a job and just got back tonight, I'll get those pictures posted up tomorrow I guarantee...

Denise,
Yes I can put the awning up by myself, BUT it an't easy at all. I'm around 6'3" so I can reach back a long ways...It's ten times easier with 2 people believe me, but the same goes with all awnings.........

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Randy Bishop

It's ten times easier with 2 people believe me, but the same goes with all awnings.........

Ahhh no. I bought an A&E case (crank style) awning because I often camp by myself. Easy, peasy.. all by myself. No guy lines to stake down either. But much more expensive than a bag awning.

[Randy Bishop]

OK...Guys here goes the first picture is the Carefree still in the bag notice how tight it fits in the bag and how neat the lines are, next is the tention adjuster which works really nice located on the legs and roof supports and I love the square tubing which you can see in 3 how its setup, the rest are the brackets and thats how the legs attaches to the body as you can see the metal piece slides in and a small rod slides down and locks the leg in place and believe me its about impossible to rip this from the camper....Next I'll post the TrimLine,

[Randy Bishop]

Now the TrimLine Awning, As you can see the bag is twice as big as the awning needs and hangs sloppy, The poles are round and hard to line up the the snap buttons that adjust it out, you have to twist it around until it lines up and alot of the time to whole thing will pull out..the small ball snaps into a plastic bracket on the body but there is NOTHING to keep it snapped, in a slight breeze it will blow over the top if you don't watch out..It does have plastic boots that slip over the small ball so you can stake it to the ground if you would prefer that..These are just my opion on these awning and I know everyone has their preference..the other makes I have the Shademaker and A&E both are pretty much like the Trimline execpt they stake to the ground only no hardware to fix it back to the camper and round tubing on both so I didn't mess with setting them up....if you have anymore questions please ask..i bought all of mine off E-bay over a couple of years they ran around $150 each but you do have to wait on a deal to get a deal...Been looking for another CareFree for several months now but no luck yet..Now it will twice as had after sharing this...

[Rick G]

Originally Posted by Denise T

Hi, I'm a new member, looking for some advice on a replacement awning for my 13 ft Trillium (1974). I had an old-style bag awning but I lost it last month. The awning rail looks like it got bent at the rear end (I suspect in some big gusts of wind that came up while the awning was up), and it opened up enough to allow the bag to slide out somewhere along the highway (oops)

So I'm wondering what advice folks have for replacing my awning? I've been looking at the bag awnings on the Interwest Sports website -- does anyone have experience with those? Or, does anyone in BC know where I could find a decent bag awning more locally?

thanks,
Denise

We are very happy with our Shademaker Classic that we bought from Interwest a couple of months ago. They were easy to deal with and the $55 delivery charge to Canada was reasonable, with no extra customs charges. I would recommend them if you want one of those awnings.

Rick G.

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by Randy Bishop

the first picture is the Carefree still in the bag notice how tight it fits in the bag and how neat the lines are

Randy,
Is that the older CareFree bag awning or newer current Campout model?

I believe that on the older ones the slots on the main beam for the arms and legs are parallel and on the campout they are perpendicular.

[Randy Bishop]

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

Randy,
Is that the older CareFree bag awning or newer current Campout model?

I believe that on the older ones the slots on the main beam for the arms and legs are parallel and on the campout they are perpendicular.

Don't really understand what your trying to describe but when I bought it everything said Carefree on it and they are still made like that but then again I'm not familar with the Carefree Campout awning but did look it up and they look like they are about the same....

[Roy in TO]

OK,
I'll try to describe it differently. Look at the channel that holds the awning and legs on the front of the Awning. On the old style the profile looks like a letter E, on the new style one channel faces the ground and one faces the trailer.
Found a picture here on FGRV of one similar to the new style: