Whether manual or motorized, patio awnings are available to suit every need.
By Lazelle Jones
May 2015
Patio awnings are cool. And not just because they keep us feeling that way.
When properly placed and installed, awnings create shady areas that can substantially lower temperatures and increase the comfort level outside a motorhome. But they do even more by protecting surfaces from sun damage; reducing the need for air-conditioning; keeping rain from patio areas; and enhancing a motorhome’s visual appeal.
It’s no wonder, then, that awnings have been around a long time. They were first used by ancient Egyptians and Syrians. The Romans took it one step further by designing retractable awnings for use in the Colosseum. Today, the RV industry continues to find new ways to assuage the unwanted effects of the sun.
Motorhome manufacturers often install awnings as original equipment. But it’s also common for owners to purchase aftermarket products. In some cases, an entire awning must be replaced; other times, only new fabric is needed.
Choices and options accommodate a wide range of needs. Awnings come in a variety of lengths and projections (the latter being the distance an awning fully extends). Manual and power units are available. Many awnings allow for adjustments of the pitch, or slope. Remote-controlled awnings come with manual overrides, should the need arise. Some models feature wind sensors that retract the awning in order to prevent damage. And, high-tech accessories and hundreds of fabric colors and patterns — including personalized logos, names, and emblems — are available.
Patio awnings are designed to be mounted along the top of the exterior sidewall or on the curve of the roof line. For over-the-road protection and aesthetics, awnings may be housed in a case, which some manufacturers call a cassette or weather shield.
Following are examples of patio awnings offered by several awning manufacturers.
Awnings by Zip Dee
The Century Automatic Lateral Arm Awning operates by remote control or wall switch, is powered by 110 volts, and has a manual override feature. It does not have vertical arms; spring-loaded lateral arms can be stopped at any extension from a few feet up to 10 feet. A sensor automatically closes the awning in high winds. All components retract into a casing. The roof-mounted awning rises 5 1/2 inches from the roof (including mounting brackets). Lengths from 8 feet to 33 feet are available with a 5-foot extension; lengths from 13 feet 2 inches to 33 feet are available with a 10-foot extension. The fabric is woven acrylic.
The Relax 12v Automatic Awning can be used on both contoured and flat-sided motorhomes. It is available in lengths from 13 feet to 23 feet. The awning can be opened partially for use in confined areas. An automatic tilt feature changes the awning position to allow for water runoff. An optional remote package is available. The fabric is woven acrylic. For those with a manual Zip Dee Patio Awning, a Relax 12v Automatic Awning Retrofit Kit is available, which allows you to keep the existing roller, case, and fabric but change the hardware in order to convert to a Relax 12v Automatic Awning.
The manual Patio Awning, available in lengths from 6 feet to 23 feet, has a slatted metal enclosure that cradles the awning during travel. An optional center support is available. The fabric is woven acrylic.
Carefree Of Colorado
The Latitude is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product available only on select RVs. The awning, powered by a 12-volt motor, has no vertical arms, and it is available in single- and dual-pitch models. Lengths range from 10 feet 4 inches to 20 feet. The product has Direct Response, Carefree’s motion-activated system that automatically retracts the awning in windy conditions. If the power goes out, the awning can be retracted manually. The roller bar has LED lights. The fabric is vinyl.
The Paramount, which mounts on the roof, is another OEM product that is available on certain motorhomes. It is marketed as a three-in-one awning, because it extends to three positions: slideout, slideout and window, and full patio extension. Lengths range from 14 feet to 21 feet. Like the Latitude, it features the Direct Response auto-retraction system. The 110-volt system has a master control panel, remote control, and manual override. The fabric is woven acrylic.
The Apex is also an OEM product. It adjusts to provide as much or as little shade as needed. The awning has no vertical arms. The lateral arms can be adjusted to vary the canopy pitch up to 3 feet. A 110-volt electronic control system features Carefree’s Direct Response system and manual override. The canopy is housed in an aluminum case; fabric is woven acrylic.
The Mirage requires no vertical arms for support. It operates on a 110-volt system and has Direct Response and manual override. Lengths range from 12 feet to 21 feet, with a projection of 10 feet. The pitch is adjustable up to 20 inches. A wireless remote control is optional. The awning is housed in an aluminum case. The fabric is woven acrylic.
The 12-Volt Eclipse features six instant pitch adjustments and Direct Response. The awning extends partially or to a full 8 feet by pushing and holding a button. Lengths of 12 to 21 feet are available. In the event of a power failure, operation is made possible by emergency override terminals. Fabric options are vinyl, polyweave vinyl, standard acrylic, and custom acrylic.
The 12-Volt Travel’r is a push-button awning with a truss-support design. Lengths range from 12 to 21 feet. It mounts flush to the RV to help the arms blend into the sidewall. It is available in two models: steep pitch (for taller motorhomes) and adjustable pitch. It also has the Direct Response system. In the event of a power failure, operation is made possible by emergency override connections. Available fabrics are acrylic, standard vinyl, and polyweave vinyl.
Manually operated Pioneer Lite, Pioneer, and Fiesta patio awnings also are available.
Dometic
The 9500 Case Awning is available in manual or power versions; the latter runs on 12 volts DC and has a manual override. Lengths range from 8 feet (with a projection of 5 feet 8 inches) to 16 feet (with a projection of 8 feet). The awning has lateral arms (no vertical arms) and forged steel brackets. The pitch can be adjusted manually up to 20 degrees. The system features Dometic’s Rain Shed, which automatically lowers the awning at one corner to prevent rainwater from pooling. A “brush seal” cleans and seals the fabric for storage. The power version has a wind sensor that automatically retracts the awning in strong winds. The fabric is double-sided vinyl.
The 8500 Patio Awning is a manual awning designed with Dometic’s PermaLoop pull strap for one-person operation. It is available in straight or curved hardware to fit virtually any RV. Available lengths range from 8 feet to 25 feet. A vinyl weather shield (which covers the awning when rolled up and stored) is standard; a metal weather shield is optional. The fabric is double-sided vinyl.
The 9000 Elite Patio Awning is a manual model that includes Dometic’s PermaLoop pull strap, self-locking lift handles, an all-metal weather shield, and an antislack rafter pivot that eliminates the need for retensioning. Available lengths range from 8 feet to 25 feet. The fabric is acrylic.
The 9100 Awning is available in power (12 volts DC with manual override) or manual versions and in lengths from 10 feet to 21 feet. A vinyl or metal weather shield is available. A feature called Knee Action Design flexes the hardware in moderate winds. The fabric is available in vinyl or acrylic.
The WeatherPro Power Awning is an electric model (12 volts DC with manual override) with a wind sensor that closes the awning automatically when high winds are detected. The awning is operated by a hand-held wireless remote control and features a metal weather shield, a spring-arm mechanism that flexes to release accumulating water, and double-sided vinyl or woven acrylic fabric. The WeatherPro features the Knee Action Design. It is available in lengths from 12 to 21 feet.
The Sunchaser Awning is a manual unit available in lengths from 8 feet to 21 feet. It has a vinyl weather shield. The fabric is single-sided vinyl.
Fiamma
Both the F45 Eagle and the F65 Eagle are legless awnings with self-supporting arms. According to Fiamma representatives, prospective purchasers of Eagle awnings should verify with a dealer whether their motorhome can support the weight and tension of the open awning. Each awning is powered by a 12-volt–DC motor. The F45 is designed for wall installation; the F65 is designed for roof installation. In both models, a rocker switch set in the vehicle wall operates the awning, which has a manual override in case of power failure. A wind detection system automatically closes the awning during high winds. The angle of inclination is preset at 10 degrees but can be adjusted from 5 degrees to 17 degrees, and the projection is 8 feet 2 inches.
The F45 Eagle is available in lengths of 12 feet, 13 feet 8 inches, or 15 feet 3 inches. The F65 Eagle length is 13 feet 9 inches.
The F45S and F65S are compact awnings that are operated by a crank handle. An electric motor is optional. The F45S is designed for wall installation; the F65S is for roof installation. F45S lengths range from 6 feet 1 inch to 14 feet 8 inches; projections range from 3 feet 3 inches to 8 feet 2 inches. F65S lengths range from 9 feet 6 inches to 13 feet 1 inch; projections range from 6 feet 7 inches to 8 feet 2 inches.
Both the F45L and the F65L are manually operated awnings. The F45L is designed for wall installation; the F65L is for roof installation. Both are manually operated. The F45L is available in lengths from 14 feet 8 inches to 16 feet 4 inch. The F65L length is 16 feet 1 inch. The projection for both models is 8 feet 2 inches.
Girard Systems
The G-2000 is a motorized awning and has up to three lateral arms. A cassette (or case) encloses and protects the retracted awning and fits all installations (wall or roof mounting). The pitch is adjustable from 5 degrees to 35 degrees. The system, which is operated by wireless remote control or a wireless wall switch, can be customized so the Girard electric motor is powered by either 110 volts (with manual override) or 12 volts DC (with optional manual override). Available awning lengths range from 10 feet to 22 feet 11 inches; custom lengths are available in 1-inch increments and can be coupled for a maximum length of 42 feet 6 inches. Available projections are 8 feet and 9 feet 9 inches. The fabric is woven acrylic.
The Elite is also a motorized cassette awning with up to three lateral arms. The system offers many of the same features as the G-2000, including a 110-volt motor. However, lengths range from 14 feet to 22 feet 11 inches. Custom sizes are available and can be coupled for a maximum length of 32 feet. Projections are 11 feet 6 inches or 12 feet 4 inches. The Girard motor can be operated by a wall switch or wireless remote, and there is a manual override. The fabric is woven acrylic.
Girard’s newest awning, the Nova, is a dual-pitch cassette model with up to three lateral arms. It is powered by 110 volts. The first pitch position extends past a slideout and is adjustable from 5 to 20 degrees. The second pitch position provides an additional 20-degree drop. Lengths range from 12 feet 6 inches to 19 feet 8 inches with a projection of 9 feet 9 inches. Custom sizes are available and can be coupled for a maximum length of 32 feet. The system can be operated with a wall switch or wireless remote; it has a manual override. The fabric is woven acrylic.
Manufacturers
Awnings by Zip Dee, C716*
96 Crossen Ave.
Elk Grove, IL 60007
(800) 338-2378
(847) 437-0980
www.awningsbyzipdee.com
Carefree of Colorado, C444*
2145 W. Sixth Ave.
Broomfield, CO 80020
(800) 622-3230
(303) 469-3324
www.carefreeofcolorado.com
Dometic Corporation, C306*
2320 Industrial Parkway
Elkhart, IN 46516
(800) 544-4881
(574) 294-2511
www.dometic.com/usa
Fiamma Inc., C5445*
2427 Forsyth Road, Suite A
Orlando, FL 32807
(407) 672-0091
www.fiammausa.com
Girard Systems, C6970*
1361 Calle Avanzado
San Clemente, CA 92673
(800) 382-8442
(949) 259-4000
www.girardrv.com
*FMCA commercial member