Your Thoughts on Driver Side Window Awnings

As my build sheet progresses, I have another question.  Who has awnings on the driver side windows?  I understand that the windows are tinted, possibly making the awnings unnecessary.   What are your thoughts or suggestions?  I had them on the motorhome I just sold and they were nice to have at times.

Thanks!
Barry T

I have driver side awnings on both windows. Living in Central Florida I find it very useful to have the awnings down when the coach is parked in direct sunlight, as it is all day long when we are not traveling.  The driver's side faces the afternoon sun and this helps to keep things cooler inside. I don't think you will regret including them with your purchase.

I also live in Florida and included awnings over ALL the large windows, even those under the main awning.  Maybe overkill, but storms blow up so quickly down here that I rarely use the big awning.  The individual window awnings don't catch the wind as badly and really help keep the RV cooler.. 

We passed on getting a big passenger side awning and ordered window awnings on both sides of our 2400. After several trips we like the window awnings.

  Lynn

We have window awnings on the 'short list' for things to add to our coach. So many times we wish to leave the windows open, but sea showers have us running back to close them. IF we were buying new, it would be 'on the sheet'

Our 2007 2350 has a bathroom window and a dinette window on the driver side.  We greatly value the dinette window shade and wished we ordered one for the bathroom as well.  Not just to block out hot sun, but with our old-style sliding windows, we would have been able to have the bathroom window open when raining.  I also wished our dinette shade was wider to be even more effective for when the sun and rain is angled.  Look how it is not much wider than the window.  It cannot be wider forward, but it could be rearward, protecting better on the side where the window opens.  The bathroom window has complete freedom.  Just 3" more per side wider would make a significant improvement.

Another plus for driver-side window awning--privacy. We would not be without the awning for sun protection, but in closely spaced RV sites, the awning blocks views in while allowing you to see out and still get light and fresh air in.

Many thanks to those who replied.  I spoke with Barry Hysor today and pretty much have the build sheet completed except for the awnings.  I think I will add them.  Your comments reinforced my thoughts and feelings. 

Barry T

Any thoughts as to the possibility of installing after-market window awning/shade?   

As for the side awning, I have had good luck staking the arms in the ground, and then using a rope/stake arrangement to secure the arms.  (Not a technique to use on pavement or other hard surfaces).  When necessary, lowering one side to make it easier for run-off.  Which has allowed us to keep the awning extended during bad weather.

Any thoughts as to the possibility of installing after-market window awning/shade?   

As for the side awning, I have had good luck staking the arms in the ground, and then using a rope/stake arrangement to secure the arms.  (Not a technique to use on pavement or other hard surfaces).  When necessary, lowering one side to make it easier for run-off.  Which has allowed us to keep the awning extended during bad weather.

I have ordered the factory awnings.  Thanks for the picture, which makes me ask...Are the awning arms on a PC removable to set like this picture?  I learned many years ago to bring the awning in before going to bed and when leaving the area.  I once found myself trying to retract a manual awning in the wind and pouring rain, and in my drawers.  Was no fun, but makes for a great campfire story.

Barry T

Are the awning arms on a PC removable to set like this picture?

I think that is an older style.  On my 2017 there are no arms that go to the ground as shown in the picture.

I have ordered the factory awnings.  Thanks for the picture, which makes me ask...Are the awning arms on a PC removable to set like this picture?  I learned many years ago to bring the awning in before going to bed and when leaving the area.  I once found myself trying to retract a manual awning in the wind and pouring rain, and in my drawers.  Was no fun, but makes for a great campfire story.


The awning arms -- this is a standard Carefree Freedom Manual Awning -- have feet/tabs which can seat into clips on the side of the rig, or be lowered to the surface.  The arms can be removed by unbolting the fasteners; which I have never needed to do.  The orange guide lines are looped over the arms before they are in place -- if I remember -- otherwise they are secured with a loop.  This method has held up to torrential rains and some serious winds.  I am not sure I would necessarily recommend this option,  but so far we've gotten away with it.  Agree, manual awning retraction in crappy weather in the middle of the night is a textbook definition of 'no fun'.

Our 2007 2350 Phoenix-installed 14' manual crank-out box awning seems identical to what cropduster has.  Our poles are stored inside the crank-out edge of the awning.  We have the option to attach the poles to the lower skirt of the RV, or straight down to the ground and staked with the Phoenix supplied stakes and ropes.  I have only clipped the poles into the side of the motor home, not yet used stakes & poles.

Our box awning requires a whole lot of fuss compared to you people with the push-button electric awning.  Because of that, we generally don't use it unless staying at the campsite for a half day or longer.  We will open more frequently in hot climates.  We did learn to utilize the awning more often in another way by cranking it out about 1-1.5 feet just before it interferes with the opening & closing of the entry door.  Doing so provides decent shade & rain protection for the kitchen & bedroom windows on that side.

Being a manual crank-out awning, the crank-pole-tool is stored inside the door jamb on one side and the center support in the door jamb on the other side, both utilizing storage clips.

We really like our full-coverage awning.  I would not want a motor home without a large awning.  The convenience of an electric awning most of you have is hard to beat.  The only thing the box awning has going for it is the lack of side tracks as shown here with our PC, a much cleaner look to the rig.  But style is secondary to the dramatic increase in functionality.