Do I need awnings?

[Outdoors4me]

We just ordered a Flying Cloud 25fb. What are the pros and cons of having window awnings? Is it best to have them factory installed? Thanks, I'm new to this.

[m.hony]

Awnings do make the trailer cooler and provide shade when you are outside enjoying the weather.
Also, an Airstream is beautiful all "unfurled".

[jcanavera]

The best thing about awnings is that they reduce the direct amount of sun exposure on your Airstream. The more awning coverage the better. If you are camping in very warm full sun, don't skip on this. Our Safari came with a patio awning only. First trip out of the box, 104 degrees full sun and the 13.5K air conditioner could not adequately cool or 27' Safari.

We added a full sized awning on the street side of the trailer. It helped greatly (note it isn't a patio awning though and requires no sliding arms like the curb side awning). Note the picture above of the trailer with two on the street side. The long awing covers that area between the windows which reduces the heat load on the refrigerator compartment. We never had a bad temperature experience after adding that awning. We priced two awnings on the street side but that would have been more expensive than one long one which covered the same length as two. We could have added an awning over the rear window but decided to pass.

We had it added by the dealer, whose installer drilled the mounting holes too high up. The service manager said they saw this after the holes were drilled. They then proceeded to drill the holes properly and in the incorrect spots they added a rivet. If he hadn't told me, I would have never noticed since the holes technically were too high but within the rivet line of other rivets on the trailer. Bottom line do it at build time rather than have an inexperienced installer doing a job like this.

Again consider where you camp, and amount of sun exposure. You could consider upgrading from the 13.5K unit to the 15K unit. One of our members did that with his 25' unit and has always been happy with that upgrade. If you also ask for the heat pump unit, you will get a great heater too.

Jack

[herrick51]

Originally Posted by Outdoors4me

We just ordered a Flying Cloud 25fb. What are the pros and cons of having window awnings? Is it best to have them factory installed? Thanks, I'm new to this.

You will be sorry if you do not order the awning pkg. I found the curbside awning to ( large ) be the least desirable. However, used partially open to keep rain off door and helps keep sun off . Takes a little practice. The other awnings are easy and wonderful. By all means have factory installed. I understand that the large streetside awning now comes with elec. option but I'm not familiar with how well it functions.
Pete

[mandolindave]

Are you talking about the big " porch " awning too, or just the window awning?

I use my big awning. It's good for shade and to keep things dry if it rains and so you can be outside when it rains. It also discourages people from parking too close to you at certain types of events. The drawback for the big awning is that it is expensive. You almost have to close it up if you are going to be away, because if wind picks up, they can break and possibly cause damage to the trailer. It happened to mine before I owned it. If you want it...have the factory install it.
The window awnings are expensive, but not as much of a wing to catch wind. They really don't provide usable shelter, but maybe a little privacy depending on how you set them up. Depending on which direction you park, the window awnings can keep the sun out, but for only a few hours. If you want them...have the factory install them.
The way cheaper, and safest for your camper, is to get a stand alone awning. But they are a pain to set up, and you HAVE to stake them down. The camper door won't clear most of of them

[m.hony]

You can really only use the awnings on a still day.
Wind reeks much expensive havoc on an extended awning.
Probably 2/3-3/4 of the time I am afraid to put the awnings out.

[Alumaholic]

Get the awnings. Don't be afraid to use them. They are wonderful.

[jcanavera]

The curbside awning is big, but considering the fact that we can slide a campsite picnic table under it and keep it dry is a big plus. Wind really hasn't been an issue. I've never had wind destroy an awning. I also though watch the weather and I can tell you that I have pulled it in at night when we have forecasts of storms. I also carry awning straps that can provide secure tie downs to your awning when camped in locations that have higher daily winds (like lake front or ocean front campsites).

As noted by herrick51 you will regret not having an awning if you go without. ZipDee builds a good strong awning.

Here are two pictures of our Safari. One with the curb side awning extended and one showing the long street side awning in the stored position.

Jack

[polarlyse]

Of course you do not NEED them. But you need them. You will be sorry if you don't.

[Alumaholic]

The pictures speak for themselves.

[SilverGate]

Outdoors4me, Welcome to AirForums!

Our factory installed Full Awning Package of three awnings help keep our trailer cooler, especially when we are doing non-hookup camping and want to keep our factory installed solar panels in full sun!

[tkasten]

We installed the awnings on our 65 Safari and we call it the eye candy on the polished vintage trailer. We've never had problem with wind but have tied the main awning down a few times when the wind was really strong. Pics say it all.

[andreasduess]

We love our awnings. Useful on sunny and rainy days. In the rain it's a good idea to have them set at an angle, so the water runs off.

[Sbb]

And you can get matching zip dee chairs!

[cwf]

This was a great feature and we deploy often !

[68Streamline]

First outing with our new (new to us) awning. Expands your living area. Glad we got one.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Outdoors4me

We just ordered a Flying Cloud 25fb. What are the pros and cons of having window awnings? Is it best to have them factory installed? Thanks, I'm new to this.

Hi, we only have the one awning on our trailer and seldom use it. Seems like it can only be used in calm weather. Little bit of wind and time to roll it up. We travel a lot and usually only spend one night at most in campgrounds until we hit a major destination. I wouldn't open all, or any, of my awnings on a one night stop. This also depends on how many windows you have. My trailer only has two on the street side and they are as far apart as they can be. Now I have only seen one, but I saw one Airstream trailer [with a lot of windows] and it had a full size awning on the street side. [same as the one on the curb side]

[Kosm1o]

Almost never use mine. When I do, I never leave it up over night or when we leave for the day's adventure. There are some threads on this very subject full of stories as to why.
I will agree, however, that the nice blue striped ones are very attractive. Mine is a dull dark grey and that makes it easy to leave rolled up. Zip Dee is very, very good quality and easy to use.

[Outdoors4me]

Hi all,

Your replies have been really helpful. In my original post, I was referring to the window awnings. We have a patio awning with our current camper and like it a lot. I agree, sometimes we have to pull it in when the winds kick up.

But we've never had the small awnings over the windows. I hadn't thought of the advantage of saving power, but they are all good comments on that. We intend to boondock with solar. I can see how the awnings would really help when we can't use the AC. (I'm assuming that's not possible with solar.)

I'm wondering now if my factory installed awnings will be the "Zip Dee" type and if they will have those cool blue stripes!

Thanks for all the help for this newbie.

[m.hony]

Matching Zip Dee chairs...
Under the "big top".