RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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Don't misunderstand me that all electric awnings are bad. I think that an awning that is connected to the slide is good because it can come down in some cases. What I am saying is that the awnings that are connected to the main structure of the coach, the awning has to go straight out because of the slide and therefore are worthless as far as giving shade. Very poor design. The Girard is a good brand and are usually found on high end coaches like Blue Birds. And yes I like electric awnings if they are going to serve a purpose, and that is to give shade.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2013 Honda CR-V EX
Aventa II
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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We have an electric awning and love it. On our previous MH we had a manual one and I would only open it once or twice a year to make sure it was dry. This one gets used all the time. The wind sensor is great if we are not there and a good wind blows up it will retract. If you notice, the only people who don't like them are the ones who don't have them.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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imgoin4it
Alamogordo, NM USA
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Joined: 10/25/2004
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I have an electric A&E awning and I'd trade mine for a manual awning any day of the week. Goes straight out, will shade the side of the motor home but usually not enough shade to sit under inless it is late sfternoon and orientated so you can sit in the shade of the motor home and then who needs an awning. Newmar just changed out the motor and wind sensor system to the tune of $1200 so now the wind sensor works but the motor will not rewind the awning on a hot day. Will see how Newmar does as they to fix, but so far mine is a piece of junk.
Retired and loving it 
Living in the Land of Enchantment
Traveling in 2007 Newmar KSDP
towing a Jeep Liberty
with a Blue Ox tow bar
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aztortuga
Bandon, Oregon, USA
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Joined: 11/28/2004
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We have on our travel supreme envoy. Have used it regularly over the last five years without any problems. Yes it will not extend down as far as a manual one will, but that is due to it passing over a slide. They are used much more often on this coach than our last one with a manual. Put it out a short time or a long time, no difference with an electric.
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Joined: 04/09/2005
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barth.....What kind of camping do you do? Here's why I ask. We've had both types. On our Class C, we did more 1-2 week trips where we camped at one destination (lake or river) and spent our timee boating with the family. The manual awning went out, got lights installed and stayed out the entire time. If it was a windy area, we used a strap to keep it from moving. It worked great. We always ate our meals under it and socialized under it in the evenings.
Now we we travel without the kids and spend less time outside eating or playing games. When we need shade, we just push the button and the awning is out. When we go in, so does the awning. We typically don't stay more than a few days and like the ease of putting the awning in and out with a touch of a button.
Lastly, if you camp where it's often windy, you'll find that your always having to put the auto awning in to keep it from getting ruined, where the manual ones are more durable in windy araes. Sometimes I wish I still had a manual awning, but would not give up my power awning for the type of camping we typically do.
Don & Mary 
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins
2012 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ CrewCab 4WD
2013 Polaris RZR 800 LE
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jerseyjim
New Jersey
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Joined: 09/02/2005
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SEZ HOO...that engineer was Scotty...one of the Star Trek movies!
I have a manual awning...an A & E 8500. During my snowbird runs (parked in AZ for, say, 3 months) I have the opportunity to meet other RVers, with, of course, different equipment.
With the electric awnings...IMHO, they leave things to be desired: The manual awnings extend at least a full foot further than the electrics do. You can't change the angle to increase the shade that it gives. Can the rain roll off it or will it "belly" and utimately tear? ($$$) That foot...CAN mean alot...or nothing. Depends on you. Quite a few have motor failures. In two instances I've seen....the wind sensor failed. BIG $$$$$$$
We are ALL becoming too dependant on gadgets...and sometimes these gadgets don't work the way they should. I vote manual.
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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You get what you pay for. Girard awnings are the most expensive and worth it. You can adjust the angle that it extends at (either end), they will auto retract and in over ten years of owning two different one, NO PROBLEMS. Pressing the button on the remote control is all it takes.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
Where am I?
How I tow.
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Pawz4me
North Carolina
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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bsinmich wrote:We have an electric awning and love it.
Agreed. An electric awning is a "must have" for us. There's absolutely nothing to not like about them. It has a wind sensor that as far as well can tell works perfectly. Although we always try to err on the side of caution and bring it in when wind is expected, it's good to know it can take care of itself if we forget. And it automatically tilts to let rain run off. And it's been completely trouble free for almost five years now.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
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TZScales
Maryland
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Joined: 02/10/2008
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Ditto!
TZS and Wife 
2007 Monaco Executive Sandia IV
Cummins ISX 525 Horsepower
Allison 4000 Six Speed Transmission
Roadmaster Chassis
2006 Saturn Vue
SMI Air Force One
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PackerBacker
Montreal (Qc) Adirondacks (NY) Myrtle Beach (SC)
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Joined: 08/22/2002
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I have a Carefree Eclipse electric awning and would never go back to a manual one.
It is tiltable at one or both ends and retractable when tilted, it billows back in high winds to avoid damaging it. We leave it out in all the time at windy places like the beach and have never had an issue. I can even tie it down if I choose to do so.
Eric
2009 Holiday Rambler Admiral 33SFS (34' 3")
2008 Jeep Liberty - North Edition (4x4 auto)
FQCC/Camping Quebec, KOA, Good Sam, Coach-Net
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