Benefits of an awning

[SgrhseAwning]

What are the benefits of getting an awning?

[Melody Ranch]

Blocks the sun light from heating up the vulnerable sides and ends of the Airstream. The main curb side one provides a semi shelter for outside living. It ads value to the Airstream.

[daymonjones]

Cooler, helps the puny AC a lot!

[Bill M.]

Are you talking about a big awning on the front of the trailer? Before you decide, ask again about the downside of getting and using awnings.

As mentioned, awnings help keep the tin box cool when on the sunny side. They keep stuff dry. Shelter from the rain. Meeting place for a group. Like a patio. Keep leaves and pollen from falling on you. Our trailer has the main awning and the window awnings all around. We use the little window awnings at every stop. They also let you leave a window open in the rain. We use the big awning mostly as a shield from the sun in hot places.

[Lily&Me]

All of the above, plus shelter from rain.


Maggie

[slowmover]

Well-chosen they add to the aesthetic appeal, the difference with the sails out . . . . Ideally, IMO, the use of the space around the TT when camping is increased by a full set of awnings. Weather-resistance, privacy, etc, are all bettered by the options afforded by awnings.

Then there are those in the RV world who also find plastic lawn ornaments and flags to have the same aesthetic effect, but we'll leave that to them.

.

[MrUKToad]

Spent most of the weekend out under the awning, eating, drinking and passing the time of day. It was sunny on this occasion but we've done the same in the rain.

I'll gloss over that period that every time I deployed the awning the rain started to fall...

[Protagonist]

The awning makes a great place to hang decorative or functional lights.

You can hang a supplemental privacy screen from the front of it, or fully enclose the area under your awning in a screen room that hangs from all the edges.

I also use my awning's support poles as a place to mount a WiFi booster in parks that offer free WiFi, and I mount the outdoor part of my indoor/outdoor thermometer to the underside of the awning's front rail so that the thermometer is shaded and gives more accurate readings (National Weather Service official temperatures are always taken in the shade).

Plus, if you put out an awning, especially if coupled with a patio mat under it, the awning helps define that space as yours (as compared to communal space) if you're in a crowded campground.

[InsideOut]

On our trailer, it shades the side the fridge is on - thus allowing the fridge to not have to work as hard. May not be an issue with new trailers/fridges but for our '56 it makes a big difference.

Shari

[Globie64]

We don't have one, but after seeing them and hanging out under them, we want one for our trailer. They're great for creating and "outside room" and a feeling of additional space. The sun and light rain protection are real pluses, and I'd agree with all the other reasons people have cited.

[Pat Conway]

We do mostly long distance traveling with our trailer. We have only used the large awning (front door, curb side) twice in 8 years mainly because the Zip Dee awning (ours is a1988 trailer) is a real bear to operate IMHO. With afternoon thunderstorms a real possibility here in the south east, you don't want to go off and leave it or the awning and trailer could be subject to damage. When you are only camping overnight and have been driving most of the day, you don't feel like adding awning hassle to your list of things to do. Look for a spot in the shade, back the trailer into it, level off and hook up to electric. Also, if you get a thunderstorm in the middle of the night, you don't want to go out to retract the awning.

I can see the advantages though, for long term camping.

My 2 cents, Pat

[Lily&Me]

Another real benefit to an awning, even if your site has lots of shade, is that it protects those sitting beneath from little green worms and other insects that like to fall out of the trees onto your head and into your hair.

One more. There is a lovely, delicious feeling, when you know you are not pulling out that morning, to slowly sipping your second pot of coffee....sitting outside, under your awning.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

One more. There is a lovely, delicious feeling, when you know you are not pulling out that morning, to slowly sipping your second pot of coffee....sitting outside, under your awning.

Second pot? Not second cup? Milady, methinks thou doth drinks too much coffee.

[featherbedder]

I always deploy awning unless to windy if rains, drop 1 corner rain runs off & I have been in some big rains still able to sit outside, as for zipdee being hard to deploy I have compl. destroyed rt. rotator cuff, rt. bicep ruptered, lft rotator cuff damaged. I cannot lift rt. arm above shoulder, I do not have any prob. deploying awning. Awnings are great

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Second pot? Not second cup? Milady, methinks thou doth drinks too much coffee.

No, no. We both drink coffee, and we drink half-caff.

Usually our second pot is a half pot, too. So three cups each of half-caff.


Maggie

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Second pot? Not second cup? Milady, methinks thou doth drinks too much coffee.

Oh, boyeth. Hereth we goeth againeth...

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Oh, boyeth. Hereth we goeth againeth...

But itiseth so funeth.


Maggie

[overlander63]

Seriously now, an awning or awnings in good repair, and clean, help the trailer's appearance, as well as helping to keep the interior temps moderate.
Of course, shabby, torn, and dirty awnings make your trailer look like you just stole it from Billy Bob's trailer park.

[Lily&Me]

Terry...




Maggie

[Skater]

I don't find the Zip-Dee awning difficult to operate at all - no worse than any other awning at least. I wouldn't have a camper without one. But I wouldn't bother with it for an overnight stop either.