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Post by my4kidz on Mar 28, 2012 19:20:28 GMT -5
We just purchased our 1st Spree, its a used 2008 289k, this unit was barley used by the previous owner, it looks and feels brand new. Our family is very excited and looking forward to its 1st camp-out. ;D
This unit has a Carefree electric awning. Our Rockwood (still for sale)has a manual awning, so far I am not impressed with this electric feature, looks like this will be the first thing to go. There is no flexibility with this awning, it goes out...it goes back in. No slope adjustment and you can't get out of the weather because its set too high. I am surpised that KZ would use this style awning on a classy looking trailer.
Is there a market for used electric awnings?
We're considering a manual one for 2013, are there any suggestions what make. The current Carefree is only 15ft, I'd like to have 1 at least 5ft longer just so the 2nd entrance door can be covered as well.
Maybe someone from KZ can give me some suggestions on this topic.
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Post by ozandus on Mar 28, 2012 19:45:12 GMT -5
Well I'm not from KZ but I am the owner of a 2008 Spree 240BH-LX that we purchased new. It was a lot model that already had a Carefree of Colorado power awning on it that I knew before we even made the deal I didn't want. I'd heard enough horror stories about power awnings and also knew about how well the Dometic A&E manual awning on our previous TrailCruiser hybrid had worked so I said I'd buy the trailer only on the condition that if the power awning didn't work out the dealer would replace it with a manual one. His only condition was that I wait until the fall when his shop would have more time to do the swap and I agreed. The result was that we ended up using that power awning for four months, including a 2 week summer trip through ten states, and by the time fall rolled around I couldn't wait to get rid of the darned thing. True to his word my dealer swapped it out for a Dometic A&E 8500 manual awning which we've now had for 3+ years ... great awning that I wouldn't for a moment trade for a power awning. Check my gallery for pics.
Insofar as installing a longer awning is concerned you just have to make sure the awning's two vertical arms won't interfere with windows, cargo hatches, etc ... a tape measure will give you that answer in seconds. Just keep in mind that if an awning is spec'd for say 18' that means it's 18' from the centre of one vertical support arm to the middle of the other vertical support arm.
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Post by my4kidz on Mar 29, 2012 18:21:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the feed back, glad to hear I'm not the only one out there thinking the same about the power awning. Yes I have seen your gallery and very impressed with your modifications. I live not that far from you, I'm in the Niagara area.
I checked what room I have and yes I can go another 5ft without any interuptions to door or windows.
What dealer did you get your from, I purchased private and closest to Niagara Trailers who is the KZ dealer in Niagara. I'm told they are good to work with from the previous owner.
We'll have to keep in mind about the Dometic, thanks for the advise.
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Post by ozandus on Mar 30, 2012 10:02:03 GMT -5
I checked what room I have and yes I can go another 5ft without any interuptions to door or windows. Just keep in mind that the longer the awning the greater will be the need for additional centre support so the roller tube doesn't sag and eventually bend. Mine is 17' and I haven't had any issues with bending but much longer than that I'd certainly want to add it. Our Spree came from NT as well ... excellent dealer, privately owned and operated, with excellent support from KZ. Do yourself a favour and drop by sometime. Anytime you may need service you want to make sure you talk directly with the service manager Ken Gould but if you're ordering parts from Henry make sure YOU know what you want before you order.  |
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Post by 3andacat on Apr 25, 2012 14:29:57 GMT -5
I also bought from them & so far taken care for me. I'm about 1 1/2 hrs away & we had it set up to be there at a time & they were ready. Nice way to do business. |
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rbell
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 7
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Post by rbell on May 7, 2012 7:05:38 GMT -5
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Post by spadoctor on Aug 9, 2012 8:06:31 GMT -5
From what I have been told by KZ you can not make a change like that or to a larger awning as the required backers and frame fillers are not in the needed places. I suggest you change out the version 1 arms to the version 2 arms that auto drain and are tiltable. Mine can be tilted and still close perfectly. The pair of arms are available online for just under 700.00. You can also add the auto close function for about 75.00 and a little time if you are handy. This allows the awning to close unattended if the wind gets too severe. Having had manual awnings for so many years I was not crazy about the electric but am getting used to its differences and adapting.
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