Draytondave
Drayton Valley Alberta
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Joined: 03/05/2008
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Beware if you are considering buying a DOMETIC AE Awning. I have one and it is awful! It is nice to press a switch and have it deploy and retract but they forget to tell you that unless you pay for the top of the line model you can not tilt it or drop it lower than it is designed to drop. Also the valance that hangs down will always roll up on top of the roller and you have to retract it slightly to get it to hang properly. By doing so the arms are not locked in place and with the slightest breeze they jackknife and then spring back with a snap. If you leave it fully extended it forms a valley between the roller and the awning seam that the water will pool in. Oh then you need to use a broom to get the water off. You will also need to roll it up each night in case it gets windy or rains heavy. They will tell you its not covered if it becomes damaged because of pooling water. All in all its pretty poor give me a manual one anytime.
Dave
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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I have the same awning and I a very pleased with it. My A&E has a retractable rail on the rear of the awning that allow the rain water to drain off when the weight of the water retracts the rear rail. I have never had a rain puddle on the top of the awning. I don't seem to have a problem with winds as I use the awning tie down that came with the awning and that has worked fine. I did go to heavier die down straps as I did not like the plastic clips that came from the factory tie downs. I guess there are different likes and dislikes for each person, therefore they make the automatic and the manual awnings. Me, I like the automatic that I have.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
02 Jeep Liberty Toad
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Draytondave
Drayton Valley Alberta
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Chuck a quick question, Does yours still shed the water when you have the tie downs in place ?
Dave
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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Even if you leave the valance in the correct position the awning will still bounce up and down in a breeze. Other than that ours has worked flawlessly in all types of wind and weather. But we do have wear spots on the underside of the canvas near the metal cover after 1 1/2 years. And due to our length(21') it is bowed in the middle(trying to find out if the Carefree center support will work with the A&E).
2007 Newmar 42' Mid Engine w/Fatboy,ATVs-in Garage,lifted Jeep(s) in tow, Hog Valley Florida(a diamond in the rough),'09 Alaska again!
2007 Tour Alaska Fishing '08 Tour Grandchildren Newmar Mid Engine
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Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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Joined: 03/26/2003
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FWIW, I much prefer the Carefree Eclipse- it's a much stronger setup, fully adjustable, but it too needs to be retracted just a bit to make the valance hang correctly.
-- Chris Bryant
My RV Service Blog
The RV.net Blog
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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yes, I just loosen the left tie down just a hair and that allows the water to drain just fine. If the wind and rain get that bad, I just hit the button and retract the awning.
Draytondave wrote:Chuck a quick question, Does yours still shed the water when you have the tie downs in place ?
Dave
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enf
Fresno, California
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Joined: 01/09/2001
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I have the same A&E 9100 awning, installed last July. Recently I've had difficulty in getting it to extend but it always retracted properly. Last weekend it wouldn't retract. The motor just stops. Dead silence and no movement. After several hours and many times pushing the button, it finally retracted. Not really happy with the situation. Hope it is something simple like a bad switch or faulty wiring. I have an appointment tomorrow with Camping World to check it out before warranty expires.
1999 31' Gulfstream Yellowstone Country Club
2000 Mazda B2500
Two traveling kitties, Zoe and Scooter
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Draytondave
Drayton Valley Alberta
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Well after a lot of reading and discussion with another electric awning owner, I took the plunge and cut 2 inches off one of the arms. It now deploys with a slight tilt of about 5-6 inches and the water drains off. Just ask if you want any information on it.
Dave
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enf
Fresno, California
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Joined: 01/09/2001
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Update. I had a new switch installed on June 6th. On June 25 the awning wouldn't retract. Nothing. Nada. Finally after several hours of working with it, got it retracted. Contacted Camping World and A&E and A&E sent me a new motor which Camping World installed the end of July. Seems to work fine now. Keeping my fingers crossed just the same.
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1fastdad
mo.
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Joined: 08/27/2007
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Mine came with spring loaded struts that go between the lower arm and the upper strut to keep it locked out in a breeze. You should allways roll your awning up if you suspect high winds. I saw an RV get blown over when a gust of wind got under the awning.
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