Lose the awnings?

tnessel · 06-04-2006, 02:58 PM

Does anyone else not like having awnings on their coach? The '74 I just obtained has them on all four sides, but I'm not too crazy about having them clutter up the exterior.

I like the smooth look. Anyone taken their awnings off and patched the holes?

nickcrowhurst · 06-04-2006, 03:14 PM

You might like to use the trailer for a season before removing the awnings. They perform an important function by reducing ultra-violet light deterioration of the interior drapes and furnishings, and by reducing the load on the air conditioner in hot weather.
Nick.

peegreen · 06-04-2006, 03:14 PM

Awnings provide a certain amount of privacy and help keep the trailer a lot cooler in the summer sun. The curb side awning provides much needed shelter on those more often than not rainy outings. Keeps the interior dry every time you open the front door in a rain storm. Ever wonder why all the vintage units have floor rot right at the entrance? When you open the door, it opens to the sky, not like SOB's. Keeps your outside stuff dry as well (bikes, firewood, grill, etc.) Keep the awnings.

klevan · 06-04-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnessel

I like the smooth look. Anyone taken their awnings off and patched the holes?

You may like the smooth look, but when it comes time to sell it (and we all sell 'em some day) it will be worth more to a larger population of prospective buyers with the awnings. As others have said, they serve a very important function and make your Airstream seem more spacious by providing outside "living" space.

**jcanavera** · 06-04-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnessel

Does anyone else not like having awnings on their coach? The '74 I just obtained has them on all four sides, but I'm not too crazy about having them clutter up the exterior.

I like the smooth look. Anyone taken their awnings off and patched the holes?

I'd vote to keep the awnings. You will find in hot climes, that aluminum doesn't do a great job in repelling sunshine. Your airconditioner will do a much better job if you pull those awnings out. Prior to owning an Airstream I thought it was strange that there were so many awnings on them. Now I know why.

Jack

Melody Ranch · 06-04-2006, 06:01 PM

If they are Zip Dees...........let me know if you decide to remove them and want a good home for them......seriously.

SafeHarbor · 06-04-2006, 07:35 PM

Not keep an awning?

Hmm... this does not sound like they're Zip Dees. Airstreams look strange to me without the silver tubes of the rolled up awnings up there.

And my Argosy did not have them, and, sure enough, the floor rotted right inside the door.

Having a full set of them now, I'll never want another trailer without them.

Lamar

Van · 06-04-2006, 08:34 PM

Out here in the Pac NW where a lot of liquid sunshine falls, usually right as one gets camp set up, they serve a another vital function. Besides shading us from the summer sun, they provide the much needed rain shelter.

53flyingcloud · 06-04-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van

Out here in the Pac NW where a lot of liquid sunshine falls, usually right as one gets camp set up, they serve a another vital function. Besides shading us from the summer sun, they provide the much needed rain shelter.

Van,
Works the same way here on the East Coast too..

My vote, would be to keep em..
Atleast this way, the next owner will have them available for use..

aztlanco · 06-04-2006, 11:43 PM

My trailer came without awnnings and it looked "bald". Now I have installed them on all four sides and they are great for the reasons mentioned above, but they also look good and add a touch of nostalgia to the trailer.
Ernie
1958 Traveler, 18ft.

Dbraw · 06-06-2006, 03:24 PM

Our 71 Safari has never had an awning on it. We have had it for four years and have had lots of fun without an awning. An awning would be nice but not worth a fourth of what we paid for the Safari. Maybe more now that Zip Dee is raising prices.

**azflycaster** · 06-06-2006, 03:37 PM

I am glad I bought mine before the price increase. I also noticed that VTS raised the price of the aluminum LP tanks right after I bought those. I got lucky twice!

InsideOut · 06-06-2006, 03:41 PM

Vintage-style, canvas tent pole & stake awnings will provide shade, shelter and "dressing-up" with out cluttering up the tube going down the road. And they are a fraction of the cost of Zip Dee's...

Shari

Boondocker · 06-06-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Canvas tent pole & stake awnings will provide shade, shelter and "dressing-up" with out the cluttering the tube going down the road. And are a fraction of the cost of Zip Dee's...

Shari

My coach still has the railing for that, how do you make the canvas-airstream connector? Does someone specialize in these?