Awnings are expensive - What now?

[ScottandMoni]

Pulled the awning off of our Argosy yesterday because it was a mess and didn't have any idea at all how much a new one would cost ~ Holy Cowww!!

Talked to ZipDee $3000 for the awning plus shipping - you've got to be kidding me~~~~

Where can we find something cheaper?

We have a 1988 29' Argosy that came stock with a 22' awning. Wanting to put in a new one that is about 15' or so.

Any suggestions for something more affordable?

Thanks~

[Bill M.]

Maybe depending upon how you use your awning. You could use a stake out awning like they use on popup trailers. I have seen one very expensive custom Airstream that used a stake out awning just like a Jayco pop up. Is the original awning a ZipDee? You can fix anything that is wrong with it and get a new fabric made. Will be a lot cheaper than replacing. You could actually cut the original one down to 15 feet if you want to.

[wulfraat]

I’m sure you can find something cheaper. You get what you pay for. Want a great product made by hard working people here in the US - you need to pay some $$.

Alibaba has one for $210 bucks.

https://m.alibaba.com/product/620404...3446284fFJhi6k

Looks like a great deal. I’m sure it will work flawlessly for years to come

[ScottandMoni]

We’d purchase something less expensive like this in a blink of an eye ~ I think the issue lies with the Airstream curve on the room and needing special brackets/hardware do to the curve. This is what I’ve been told by several places I’ve called. Any thoughts on this?

[NoResults]

Have you checked with any local awning and window covering places. If the hardware is ok you could just have them make you a new one to fit with fabric of your choice.



Dave

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ScottandMoni

. . .
. . . I think the issue lies with the Airstream curve on the room . . .
. . .

Welcome to the world of Airstream/Argosy IMO.

Originally Posted by wulfraat

. . .
You get what you pay for.
. . .

You might have to pay up here, in order to preserve the integrity/value of your investment. In the long run, you won't be disappointed, and the resale value should be higher.

A "hokey" add-on other-brand awning will stick out like a sore thumb IMO, leading to the question, "if they were too cheap to get the real deal here, what else did they compromise on?"

[rideair]

A simple solution, contact these folks, best in the business to work with and on price/selection.

http://martisawnings.com/

It's what I did for my 1966 26' Overlander and this is how it turned out. Standard rope/pole awning. Easy to put up/take down.

[Jacob D]

Originally Posted by rideair

A simple solution, contact these folks, best in the business to work with and on price/selection.

http://martisawnings.com/

It's what I did for my 1966 26' Overlander and this is how it turned out. Standard rope/pole awning. Easy to put up/take down.

I looked at rope and pole for my 67 Overlander and could not figure how to put it up easily by myself. If a 16' one could be made so that it does not have to be threaded thru the rail each time I might reconsider. The other problem that put me off is what to do about rain puddling on the awning.

[djarrett]

If the old awning is intact enough to serve as a template, any awning shop that uses Sunbrella fabric should be able to sew you up a replacement using the old as a template. The key is installing it as the roller is spring loaded and takes someone with skill to assemble.

[drbrick]

I agree with "djarrett" any awning shop can make the fabric part of the awning. If the mechanics still work you will find on UTUBE several videos on putting it together.

[Mollysdad]

Thinking outside the box, but do you need an awning?
I found on my previous MH, I hardly ever deployed the awning.
Out west, most campgrounds had wind shelters for the picnic table.
If awnings were an option, I'd say no.

[ScottandMoni]

Thanks everyone. Scott took the entire awning off. It needed a new spring and without realizing the cost of replacement he felt the awning was way too heavy and he wants a smaller one that does not span the entire length of the trailer. So he took it off and took it to the dump. I don’t think he realized he could have it cut down 🤦*♀️🤦*♀️

We now have to start from scratch and don’t want a hokey set up. We want something that compliments the rest of the trailer. We think we may be able to get another made for $2000 here in Santa Cruz using the carefree or dometic products. Will keep this thread posted.

[cegardner]

Check out Pink Flamingo Awning. She makes awnings for vintage AS. May nit be what you are wanting but you can check out her site

[DKB_SATX]

I don't think anyone looked at the details of your Argosy on this thread... you have a squarestream Argosy, which means that more of the "conventional" awning options are available to you than are to the rounded Airstreams.

[ScottandMoni]

That’s what we thought ~ however a phone call to zipdee who looked up our trailer is where the 3k estimate came from. Same with other Airstream dealers. Thank you for your input = we have more calls to make to get to the bottom of this.

[tojimmiller]

Look into damaged airstream trailers. Maybe you can save some of the arms and parts. The actual canvas should be not too much

[CampingJoe]

If you are handy, remove the awning and remove the fabric, take it to a local awning business and they can make another one for a fraction of the cost. They will use yours as a pattern

[SnowWanderer]

Check out Marti's Vintage Trailer Awnings site. She has beautiful fabrics and does great work at very reasonable prices. I am very happy with my awning!

[Little Chick]

Get a littler trailer. The awning for my ‘56 Bubble was only a couple hundred. The money you save will pay for the sunscreen.

[55AS]

Originally Posted by SnowWanderer

Check out Marti's Vintage Trailer Awnings site. She has beautiful fabrics and does great work at very reasonable prices. I am very happy with my awning!

She built a nice one for my old trailer.