dupe00
New Bedford, MA
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Joined: 01/15/2008
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Hello All, after thought is was a ncie thing to have, I ordered my trailer with the electric awning. Well, apparently, that was a mistake. Its made by A&E, not sure of the model number. But every time it rains, even the slightest, I have to pack up all the stuff and retract the awning. The rain will puddle up and I have to use something to dump the puddle off. I have tried every effort to pitch the awning manully or tie a rope to one end to put tension. There are no adjustments, i also tried bringing in the awning from fully extended, no luck. I am trying to call the dealer now to see whats up. Any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks!
2008 Rockwood 8298ss
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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I don't think there are very many happy satisfied custmers of Dometic A&E electric awnings. I can leave mine up in heavy Florida rain IF I retract it a few inches so that the seam is to the outside of the roller. If left all the way out, the seam makes a little valley and water will gather there. I have also thrown a cord with an S hook on it at the rear where the roller meets the rear arm and pull the awning down (compress dump spring) and tie it off the the rear wheel. You need to disable the wind sensor, which doesn't work half the time anyway. Next rig will have a manual awning.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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jplunkett
Virginia
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Joined: 04/04/2008
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I agree - the option looked good at first, but it can't be tilted like a manual awning to allow rain to run off. I never leave it extended unless we are there and want the shade. I'm seriously considering replacing it with a manual unit eventhough it's new.
safe travels,
John & Elizabeth Plunkett
Louisa, Virginia
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rolnhome
Pacific Northwest Mexico
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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Mine works as advertised. Dumps rain and retracts in winds. Will not extend when temps are too low, etc. My next rig will have one. It did take awhile to get use to it, but that's part of the learning curve. My model has a spring loaded left arm that allows the corner to drop and dump water when it builds up on the awning. Got real nervious at times waiting for it to dump, but now I don't worry about it, except in very heavy rain and winds.
We're in Arizona
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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I roll mine up BEFORE it rains
One thing I did was drill a pair of holes, a few inches "IN" from the awning roller, I string a cloths line between the two arms at this point and that is where I hang the tacky awning lights and stuff
Thus when I roll 'er up.... I don't have to take the lights down.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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acer54e
ny
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Joined: 08/23/2006
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I was told by a flagstaff rep that a retrofit kit will be coming soon and the new awnings will have a adjustment. am looking for this soon acer
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happycamper44281
Ohio
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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rolnhome wrote:Mine works as advertised. Dumps rain and retracts in winds. Will not extend when temps are too low, etc. My next rig will have one. It did take awhile to get use to it, but that's part of the learning curve. My model has a spring loaded left arm that allows the corner to drop and dump water when it builds up on the awning. Got real nervious at times waiting for it to dump, but now I don't worry about it, except in very heavy rain and winds.
Yours works as advertised because you don't have what I would call one of the cheap ones. The AE model the original poster is speaking of does not have a spring loaded side or wind sensor. Same one I have and you cannot leave it out. It fills with water, there is no angling it or lowering it for sun. We hate our's, but this is what came on our tt and we were not aware that there were different types. I haven't said anything to the dealer as of yet, but we will be taking it in for a few warrenty items at the end of the season and I will be mentioning it then. Hope Forest River has come up with some type of fix.
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax
2008 Salem LA 312QBBS
Daisy our Shar Pei
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dupe00
New Bedford, MA
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Ok back with some results. I did some reseaching again and found that this is a factory issue with the earlier 2008 Rockwoods. The electric awning is now standard on all the models. The earlier 2008 production models which is what I have, had an issue in which they awning was not pitched enough to allow even minon rain/mist to run off. I spoke with the dealer and they said they have gotten multiple complaints about this issue. Dometic (A&E) is aware of the problem which was there issue, and is supposed to be working on a retofit kit to address this problem. My awning got bent because the supposed weight dumpoff mechanism did not work. So if anyone else has this problem, contact the dealer. I am trying for a new awning, see how it goes.
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jjcurler
Duluth Mn
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Joined: 05/21/2008
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dupe00 wrote:Hello All, after thought is was a ncie thing to have, I ordered my trailer with the electric awning. Well, apparently, that was a mistake. Its made by A&E, not sure of the model number. But every time it rains, even the slightest, I have to pack up all the stuff and retract the awning. The rain will puddle up and I have to use something to dump the puddle off. I have tried every effort to pitch the awning manully or tie a rope to one end to put tension. There are no adjustments, i also tried bringing in the awning from fully extended, no luck. I am trying to call the dealer now to see whats up. Any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks!
2008 Rockwood 8298ss
There are things they call umbrella awning supports sold at camping world I had them installed on my trailer and they take care of the rain collecting problem in in the heaviest rains.
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V10 man
Mesa, AZ
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Joined: 06/15/2001
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There are 2 levels of power awnings from AE. One is the weather pro whic has a wind sensor and a rain dump feature. The other is just a plain jane power awning. It will not dump. I too have one of these "bright idea" awnings and would rather have the old manual type. AE was no help, just telling me that the model I have doesn't have a rain dump feature. Well duh! Here is another post on the topic.
2007 Dodge 6.7 Cummins, 6sp auto, Quad cab, long bed, white, Prodigy
2009 Shockwave T29FBSP, white & blue, tan interior, 4000W Onan, Reese Dual Cam 15K/1,500.
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