This RV did not come with a living room awning…and I’ve always wanted one. Seems that many RV parks are made so that the afternoon sun shines on the drivers side of the RV, so most years I’d have to insert foil covered bubble insulation material into the two wide windows in that slide to block the sun. Often the window frames would get so hot that I’d feel it from a foot away. Not the worst thing in the world but I did want to get an awning so the windows would be shaded. So in early 2021, I decided to purchase one and have it installed. I used ShadePro because I’ve used them a couple times before for awning work and when I did I appreciated the product as they make their own awnings that are just better than A&E’s and are on a par with the quality of Colorado’s awnings, with extra stitching for long term strength.
I had to make a special trip down to Yuma from Pahrump because ShadePro doesn’t come as far north as Pahrump so the round trip cost me $300 plus another $175 for the weeks rental at an RV park in Yuma but, I really wanted it. I also had the slide awnings replace during the trip because they were 19 years old and the big LR slide awning had developed a rip in a seam. And I visited nearby Mexico for a teeth cleaning.
Here the tech is prepping the new awning for installation. Lots of plastic wrap on everything.
Here’s a shot of him preparing to slide the new awning into the new rail he just installed. There’s around 18 screws holding it to the slide. He wrapped up the spring in this spring wound awning roller (much like the old time automatic retracting window shades still in use) 15 turns (I counted along when he did it for future reference) and then clamped those vice grips on either end to use gravity to keep it from unwinding as he’s trying to install it. Kinda slick. Then he slides the top edge of the rolled up awning assembly into the slot on the rail.
Then measures the awning arms and gets them just in the right place, plumb, and screws them down nice and solid.
And finally the awning strap catch is mounted and the awning pulled down and strapped in place. All went smoothly and it works great.
I have since added a nylon cord pull down, doubled and with knots in several places so I can hook it at different places so the awning could be open at several angles of extension affording a bit more versatility.
So now I have a nice window awning that will help keep the RV nice and cool during the very long hot summers we’re having these days.