Awnings are either fitted to the roof or wall of a vehicle. Which method is suitable depends on the following three factors:
Curved edges are suitable for roof fittings. Whereas a squared edge with sufficient room above the door will accommodate a wall mounting. In either case, suitable mounting brackets are also required. Your vehicle’s length will determine the size of the awning.
Ultimately, this comes down to individual preferences and the money you would like to spend and how hungry you are for comfort. We outline key details below:
Electric Awning
Benefit - It is quick and easy! At the click of a button, the awning will open or close within some seconds.
Disadvantage - Electric awnings always need a 12V power supply. In emergency cases we have a crank for manual retract.
Manual Awning
Benefit - You have freedom to travel to the remotest destinations! No reliance on power, so no limitations.
Disadvantage - It takes on average 10-12 minutes to deploy a manual awning. For some people this may be a problem, particularly if the awning is frequently deployed and stowed over a short period of time.
Consider the following when deciding to purchase a supported or self-supported awning:
Supported
Self-supported
The vast majority of awning accessories such as lights and rooms work equally well across all types of awning. However, as the list below highlights, certain products require specific types of awning. So if you have your heart set on a specific accessory, ensure you purchase the appropriate awning:
Camp Room - Only compatible with supported cassette awnings
My Room - Only compatible with self-supported wall awnings
Many of us like to use our RVs to travel to remote spots, far from civilization. If this resonates with you, then a manual awning is the ideal choice as it has no reliance on power. This means you’ll also be buying a supported awning, as self-supported models are only available with automatic operation. But if you’re someone who wants to get lost in the middle of nowhere, away from shops and power sources, we’re guessing you won’t mind deploying your awning manually.
We advise all types of awnings be stowed away in wind and rain. Remember: “awnings are for shade not shelter”.
Wind
Temperature
Rain
Storm