Brand-New A&E Awning

[overlander63]

For those of you that thought A&E no longer makes awnings that fit Airstreams, I have news for you. They do make them, and they do fit. While they may not have the "snob appeal" of a Zip-Dee, they work just fine, and cost a bunch less. Here are some photos of a brand new A&E (Dometic) 8500 I put on a trailer today. I've also included a photo of the end of the hardware box, so you can copy the part numbers for future reference:

[DanielB]

Very nice..

[Airdaddy]

Overland 63, Airdaddy here, May I ask do you have the info or phone number to where you purchased the awning. I have a 31 foot 1975 sovereign and i need front curbside and rear. Your awning looks great.

[Splitrock]

Very nice! Any installation information? Where to purchase? What was the length? Price?

Thanks!

[HCR]

Wow! I loved the A&E on my previous trailer as it seemed much more stable than the ZD. Good to know and thanks for posting.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Airdaddy

Overland 63, Airdaddy here, May I ask do you have the info or phone number to where you purchased the awning. I have a 31 foot 1975 sovereign and i need front curbside and rear. Your awning looks great.

Originally Posted by Splitrock

Very nice! Any installation information? Where to purchase? What was the length? Price?

Thanks!

They are available from your local A&E (Dometic) dealer. Most RV dealers can order them for you. They do fit '69 and newer Airstreams only, since the contour of the trailer is just different enough the awning won't fit right.
The trailer pictured has a 12' awning. I can't say anything about prices, or I'll get in Dutch with the mods, but the awning pictured cost just over half what a Zip Dee of comparable size does.
As for installation, it slid right in to the factory awning rail, and it took about the same length of time as it would to install a Zip-Dee, maybe a few minutes less.

[BabyBoomers]

My 22' '63 Safari has the awning mounts but no awning. So A&E won't work? Any suggestions on where to find the missing hardware?

Many thanks

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by BabyBoomers

My 22' '63 Safari has the awning mounts but no awning. So A&E won't work? Any suggestions on where to find the missing hardware?

Many thanks

Can you post a photo of what's there? It could be a Carefree or EZ Awn. Both of those are no longer produced, but fellow forum members may have enough bits and pieces to get what you have back together. I know where there may be a set of hardware for an EZ Awn, then all you'd have to do is find a tube and fabric. And you can adapt some of the fabrics to fit an EZ Awn tube. The same with Care Free.

[heslinhotel]

I have a complete Carefree frame and tube from a 78 31' Soverign, no canvass. PM me if you have an interest. I am located 20mi NE of Raleigh. I have pic's if interested.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by BabyBoomers

My 22' '63 Safari has the awning mounts but no awning. So A&E won't work? Any suggestions on where to find the missing hardware?

Many thanks

Originally Posted by heslinhotel

I have a complete Carefree frame and tube from a 78 31' Soverign, no canvass. PM me if you have an interest. I am located 20mi NE of Raleigh. I have pic's if interested.

There you are. You would just have to cut down the tube to proper length.

[Foiled Again]

Terry Are you saying the A & E would fit on a wide body - 2005 for example? I thought the curve had gotten more boxy on the widebodies. I always liked those arms - they just fit more elegantly.

Not that I'm buying another Airstream, but this is good to know.

Say aren't we lucky that the big snow missed us? I saw it's 5 F in New Mexico. Wow! How are you doing in the Hills of NC?


Paula

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Terry Are you saying the A & E would fit on a wide body - 2005 for example? I thought the curve had gotten more boxy on the widebodies. I always liked those arms - they just fit more elegantly.

Not that I'm buying another Airstream, but this is good to know.

Say aren't we lucky that the big snow missed us? I saw it's 5 F in New Mexico. Wow! How are you doing in the Hills of NC?


Paula

The guys in the parts department said the A&E would fit the newer trailers, but I'm not sure if they meant the wide-bodies, or just the newer body style, non-wide bodies.
It was nice it was sunny and in the 60's today. It makes up some for the not-so-nice weather we've had lately. Between the snow here and the hurricane in Australia (excuse me, cyclone), I don't know where to go to get away from weather.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Terry Are you saying the A & E would fit on a wide body - 2005 for example? I thought the curve had gotten more boxy on the widebodies. I always liked those arms - they just fit more elegantly.

Not that I'm buying another Airstream, but this is good to know.

Say aren't we lucky that the big snow missed us? I saw it's 5 F in New Mexico. Wow! How are you doing in the Hills of NC?


Paula

I checked with the parts department, and they verified with Dometic. These awnings will fit the newer wide bodies as well as the narrow body post1968 Airstreams.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I checked with the parts department, and they verified with Dometic. These awnings will fit the newer wide bodies as well as the narrow body post1968 Airstreams.

COOL... The price is right, and I've always thought those arms looked more elegant - curved and flattened - and aerodynamic - than the ZipDee's.

It's good to know that Out of Doors Mart does such nice vintage work. I'm not that impressed by the lone Virginia dealer, so next time I need something that's Airstream specific I'll head down to see y'all. Are you doing full restorations of vintage? There's a old Globetrotter that's been sitting in an alley in Virginia Beach for YEARS. I might try for her if the owner is reasonable.

And after taking a second look at the one in your picture... 'bout time for some new axles for that one isn't it?

Paula

[utee94]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Can you post a photo of what's there? It could be a Carefree or EZ Awn. Both of those are no longer produced, but fellow forum members may have enough bits and pieces to get what you have back together. I know where there may be a set of hardware for an EZ Awn, then all you'd have to do is find a tube and fabric. And you can adapt some of the fabrics to fit an EZ Awn tube. The same with Care Free.

Ha! Indeed you do.

Thanks for the tip on the new A&E's. Since I think I'm going to have to go back to roll-out, it's good to know there are options.

-Marcus

Edit: Wait, just saw they only fit post-68 trailers. Oh well, guess I'll have to go with ZipDee after all and perform their highly scientific "bending" trick to make it fit the contours on the 63.

[kposey]

I chose the A & E on my last trailer and loved it. I have had both A & E and Zip Dee, but like the A & E better. It is lighter in weight and easier for one person to put up, especially when that one person is a woman. The price was right too!

[Breadbug]

Looks awesome! I've always liked the way the supports look on these so much more than zipd.

Ed/Breadbug

[BabyBoomers]

Originally Posted by overlander63

There you are. You would just have to cut down the tube to proper length.

Thanks guys, I will see if I have a pic that shows the existing mount, but I don't think so. I was suprised how small (narrow) it was. Seem to remember it was flat u shaped about 1.5 inches wide. If I can't find a pic that shows it I will have to wait until this blizzard snow is gone. We got 14" in Tulsa a couple of days ago and now we are getting 4 to 6" today, and more on Sunday. The unit is stored about 30 miles out of town.

Thanks again.

BTW - I keep wavering between OMG what have I done to This is going to be fun!

[61Ambassador]

Looks great! For an 1961 - is my only option to use Zip Dee?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by 61Ambassador

Looks great! For an 1961 - is my only option to use Zip Dee?

Either Zip Dee or try to locate the hardware for the older awnings, and put new fabric on it.