dfoxhoven
Elizabethtown, Pa
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Joined: 09/06/2007
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Couple of questions...just finished our first trip in our new '09 Spree, and it came with an electric awning...prefer manual, but will do. Couple of questions...#1 How does one clean the awning? Can't drop it like the manual so wasn't sure how others are doing this. #2 I noticed a LOT of other campers were using tie downs with their electirc awning...is this really recommended? I didn't even take the chance to see if the "dump" feature worked.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2650276690103632465PYYFzx
'09 KZ Spree 324bhs
2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7 V8
Daryl
Mary
Kaisen
Echo (Dog)
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harland98
NH
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Joined: 07/05/2008
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Not sure on cleaning yet as mine is still just two weeks old. As for the tie downs, the gentlam that did my walk through with me suggested someteting with springs at the bottom so the awning could still dump.
Tony
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 07/03/2005
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My Carefree Eclipse electric has lift struts as part of the support linkage like on a van tailgate that can compress when rain gets on the canvas. A strong wind catching the canvas will also compress those struts. I stake both ends with a small rope if the wind is blowing.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 210 uprated to 275
Trippe-Lite 1800w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
3- Kyocera 130w solar panels
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
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pdvandusen
Snow Hill, NC USA
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Joined: 10/30/2007
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I have an '08 JayFeather with an Carefree 12 Volt Travilr electric awning. I believe that the Spree has the same model. I use a tiedown that has a spring. When I need to clean the awning I plan to get on top of the trailer with a long handled brush to do the job.
I'm looking into the possibility of getting the Eclipse arms for my awning. If I can't get an adjustable electric awning on my next RV, I will get a manual awning. The ease of opening and closing doesn't makeup for the other problems. BTW, it does "Dump" with the tiedown attached. I put the tiedown on the arm rather than the roller. It makes the tiedown work better.
Doug & Mary Ann Van Dusen and Phoebe (the dog)
2008 Chevy 1500 Silverado 5.3L LTZ 3.73, HD Trailer Pkg.
2008 JayFeather LGT 31E
Equal-i-zer, Prodigy BC and TomTom GPS
The dreaded Champion Generator
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H & E
North Texas
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Joined: 10/05/2006
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I get on the roof and use the same brush that I use to clean the roof. I use car wash solution in water to clean, which seems to work OK. The car wash solution has some carnauba wax in it.
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DeutscheMan
Oregon Coast
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Joined: 08/17/2003
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I've read a lot of posts on electric awnings. I have a Colorado Traveler Flat pitch which I hate. I understand the awning arms can be changed out for the adjustable Eclipse arms. The cost may be more than a new awning however. I would be interested to know what it costs if anyone has done it. The flat pitch awning is basically useless in most situations. Unless the sun is directly overhead (near the equator only) it doesn't work well as a sun shade. The automatic dump feature is a joke. It's really just a semi-controlled collapse of a lot of water that gets what was originally dry, soaked with water when it dumps. It can't tolerate even the slighest wind and as someone mentioned, the top is very hard to clean. I haven't tried the spring based tie down yet. That might be an improvement. My real gripe is that it can't be angled down on one end for constant water runoff. I've had the Fiesta manual model, and also the crank out Freedom III on a previous rig and they were a lot better than this poorly engineered model. It does however, go in and out with the touch of a button. Big deal.
Bill
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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I retrofitted my manual Carefree awning with the Eclipse electric arms. Bought them through our local RV shop. I think it was $1050.00 plus freight and sales tax. Same price PPL wanted.
Jim
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Never Say Die
Central Illinois
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Joined: 09/19/2005
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I have a elec awning w/o the wind sensor feature. I probably wont ever tie it down. As far as cleaning it you are correct. IT SUCKS! I havent found a great solution other than what was already stated about climbing up on the roof and making your way down. I hate the fact you cant angle them on one end or the other for draining during a rain shower like a manual one.
Bernie
2008 Denali 295BS-DSL
2000 GMC C3500 Crew Cab
454 w/ a few mods..The small Big Block in the shed
Leer topper, Mickey Thompson wheels, CIPA mirrors
Me, the Wife, the teenage Daughter, and
a Giant Schnauzer
LIFE IS A RAT RACE....SO BRING A BIG RAT!
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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FWIW the Carefree Eclipse electric arms can be adjusted for angle just like the manual arms.
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