Njmurvin
Simi Valley
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Joined: 09/06/2003
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My Carefree electric awning is delaminating at the very top. I am sure this is due to sun exposure while stored/rolled up because it's perfect below about the first foot or so - and the awning has no sort of weather guard. It's just rolled up material (vinyl, I believe). I bought my trailer about 6 years ago, used, from a dealer who replaced the awning at that time. I can only assume they used the cheapest material available.
So, it's replacement time. First question, acrylic vs vinyl. Is acrylic worth the price difference (i.e. will it last longer)? I don't really care about breathing or appearance. I just want the most durable product.
I hope to add a weather guard to protect from the sun while in storage. The gold standard as I understand it is the alumaguard which covers the rolled up material with metal. But, there appear to be options for a non-metallic protection that bonds to the cover at the top and supposedly does the same thing for less. Does anyone have experience with this?
Lastly, there is a company called Shadepro who offers a new acrylic cover with alumiguard for $939 installed. I'm pretty handy but not particularly comfortable with heights. So, I might consider this option. Does anyone have experience with the company or its products.
2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Duramax 4x4 Crew Cab Standard box
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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No experience with that company or product, but we replaced our vinyl awning with acrylic and added an alumaguard. Our RV tech recommended the acrylic for durability, and he added the alumaguard at no extra cost since he had one off another repair. We were fortunate in that area. I believe the acrylic was around that much - $900 from Carefree. We've had it now for about three years. No mold to have to wash, no fading of the color (we got navy), no deterioration, and although it's breathable, it is rain proof.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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I've replaced my awning twice in the last 17 years. If it helps on the fear of heights area, you can do the whole repair with two people and a few six foot step ladders. There is no need to get up on the roof.
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agesilaus
North Florida
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We replaced with vinyl after our 2016 aqning delaminated. We patched it with replair tape and it lasted another year. The replacement process is easy for two adults and a ladder. Took less tha 90 mins with my wife as the helper.
The old fabric is double layered and that is why it delaminates. The claims for acrylic is that it will last longer. Time will see but all is well a year or so after the swap.
Acrylic is a couple of hundred bucks at Amazon and I do not think it is worth 700 to get someone to do the job. Pros online at YouTube can do the swap in 30 mins. And there are many tutorials up on YT too. Carefree is easier than Dometic because of that spring on the Dometic awnings.
Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
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fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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We bought vinyl awning material from Shadepro and it seemed to be very sturdy material, reinforced where it attached to the trailer. We sold the trailer a couple years after we put the new material on and it was still looking good. It was the heavy duty vinyl, 20 feet, and cost us $199. And installation was about $300 by a local RV tech place. It doesn't take that long to do if you have the personnel and tools, like ladders and such. I didn't feel like tackling it myself, so had it done.
Howard and Peggy
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ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
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We replaced the awning fabric on my brother-in-law‘s RV a few years back. We had no idea what to do or how to do it so we watched a few YouTube videos…
It was fairly easy for the two of us we did need a third to help us guide the new fabric into the rail but that was it.
That was free manual on it, when it comes to electric gonings I have no idea.
Me-Her-the kids
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Seneca 35GS
whittier
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I had Shade-Pro replace both of my topper awnings and patio awning. One man did the job, but he knew exactly what to do. I no longer get on ladders. I opted for Sunbrella, a canvas product. I used Sunbrella on my boat covers over the years with amazing result and longevity. Very happy with Shade-Pro.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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I replaced both my main awning and also the slideout awning a couple of years ago by ShadePro Awnings and was very satisfied both with the value of the material and the quality. I got the vinyl since our original awning was vinyl and had lasted over 17 years.
The new awning material from them is much heavier and nicer than our original. I did the replacement myself with the help of my son. Watched
several videos and wrote out the steps to follow. Turns out it was quite easy and we had no problems.
Here is how it looks now - You can see the old awning material laying on the ground in front of the trailer ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Barney
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/biKbfq1l.jpg)
* This post was
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bobsallyh
Livingston, TX.
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Joined: 01/08/2004
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I got material from ShadePro for replacement on our power awning. Did it myself. But ShadePro seems to be very well respected in the Yuma and Quartzite and the Southern California areas for good work. Their trucks are all over the area especially during snowbird season.
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buc1980
houston tx
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Joined: 06/20/2004
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I use to get material from Tough Top but the last time I order the material was very bad is not like it used to be don't buy from them.
2017 Ford F350 DRW,2005 Kountry Star 35ft,16750 lb weight on SAILUN tire,6 points LIPPERD Level-up.New Mor/ryde IS suspension install.Full body paint 2022.RV flex roof 2023
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