| Author |
Message |
Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 5:56 pm: | |
I am looking at buying awnings and I'm trying to figure out how many to get, or how much window to cover. I definitely want a main patio awning.
The question is, do I need some sort of awning for the bedroom windows? I have dual pane glass, but I think by the time I want to spend any time in the bedroom, the sun will be down, and I won't need shade then. If its too hot, I can use the power vent or the air-conditioner to cool it.
What are your thoughts comments on the necessity of having awnings over the bedroom windows? |
Don/TX
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 6:38 pm: | |
I put awnings over each window, including the bedroom ones. I would sure do it that way again, it keeps the hot sun from coming in, you can leave the windows open when raining, etc. You can extend or retract them from inside the bus which is nice too. Never have to roll em up when the wind comes up either.
I have never liked the patio awnings, in the last 5 vehicles that had them, I never used them once. |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 10:58 pm: | |
Jim: Window awnings on the bedroom windows do help for all the reasons Don says. And w/your intended use out there in the Great Outback I think you would be pleased with the investment. They are not all that expensive in the whole scheme of things (U know, a hundred here, a hundred there, 1st thing u know your talking in 100,000's for these money pits we have that we can't afford a full tank of diesel for).
I'll send u a side e-mail on a couple of good sources on the Carefree line. |
bruce king
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 1:04 am: | |
are you guys talking about some sort of roller of fabric or a permanent roof extension? |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 1:50 am: | |
Good window tint goes a long way for less $$$. Keeping
the rain out while keeping the wondows open, Is a factor to
be considered.
But see:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=13047&src=SRQC |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 4:19 am: | |
Bruce, we're talking awnings that will mount above windows where there is no sides. Jim's windows go all the way to the roof line, so standard mounting cannot be done. The awnings mount must be mounted above the transition of the roof and sidewall. A good example is the La Mirage, where the windows wrap into the roof line. Same for the intercity Neoplans. All manufacturers make curved armed kits that will accomplish this for standard type roll-up awnings, but on some buses, the arms interfere with the windows, such as my Neoplan. I chose the Carefree Lateral Arms (like the Girard type) and there are no vertical arms to deal with. My Grumman has A&E case awnings where the arms stow in the case and only extend vertically when you open the awning. They are manual, the lateral arms are electric.
JTNG: Tinting is great, and certainly cheaper than awnings, but no comparison in effectiveness. I have factory bronze tinted (Grade 5) in my Neoplan and factory (Peninsula) Grade 5 Grey in my Grumman. Neither provided the heat contol of the added awnings. |
Pat Bartlett (Muddog16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 7:39 am: | |
Being a simple Bus Nut shinney is good, does anyone make awning arms that are of stainless? The more i'm around crome the more i dislike it, polished aluminum or stainless(preferred)! |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 7:43 am: | |
My wife and I both enjoy an afternoon siesta occassionally and the bedroom can be an oven without some shade. A lot of heat also gets into the bathroom and the rest of the coach if there are non shades. I personally would not consider leaving home without them. One on each side.
Richard |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 8:05 am: | |
Yeah. The more I think about it, the more I realize that the
bedroom window awnings we had, did keep the RV cooler
while parked in the sun.....
But a factor I totally forgot about, was the benefit of the
extra privacy when the awning was tilted to slightly lower than
normal angle. The RVs etc, next to us weren't looking directly
into an open window... they saw the awning instead. |
H3 (Ace)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 5:40 pm: | |
I don't know! When in Arcadia and parked next to the other coaches, they all seemed to be below our window line and our coach being 13'4" we could see over their roof tops! LOL
Just kidding but awnings are nice on all the windows IMHO...
Ace |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 7:25 pm: | |
Ain't nothin' wrong with voyeurism, Ace! I always work on my
roof at night, too.. |
Lin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 9:03 pm: | |
The trouble with voyerism is that it is rare that there is anyone around worth watching. |
Lew Poppleton (Lewpopp)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 9:53 pm: | |
I think you know that the very best and strongest awning is the Zip Dee.
We will be on the alert for you when we visit Arcadia next time. |
Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:01 pm: | |
Glad to know that you think well of Zip Dee. I am leaning toward getting their lateral arm version for the front, both left and right, so I can mount them on the roof.
For the small window awnings in the rear, are there any other options given I have all glass and I can't really have any supports? |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:39 pm: | |
Jim-
Camper's world and other supply houses have an exterior roll
down type of "shade" that protects from sun heat and gives
some privacy.
The screen type material rolls down flat against the windows
on the outside of the vehicle, rather than acting like an awning.
As I stated before, Jim.... A good UV resistant film can do
wonders, along with some decent venetian blinds and that
louvered add-on for slide windows.
.. |
FAST FRED
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 6:00 am: | |
Many campgrounds have far too many lights at night.
Window awnings can block the light so you can have the windows/curtans open , and dont have to breathe canned air.
FAST FRED |
Rodger in WA
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 8:21 am: | |
Another yea for window awnings for all the reasons mentioned. The two most important to me are the huge difference they make in hot, sunny weather and allowing the windows to be left open in rainy weather. Both should benefits should be even greater for boondockers. Although we get a lot of use and benefit from the patio awning too, I would give up the patio awning before the window awnings.
Mine are Carefree of Colorado with metal covers. They've had a lot of use over the past 6 years. I've replaced the straps twice but the awning fabric and metal parts are still in great shape. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 8:46 am: | |
Yeah. HOOOORAY FOR AWNINGS. Nice that we all
agree.... but......
Jim asked twice:
"are there any other options given I have all glass and I
can't really have any supports?" |
John Lawson
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 3:15 pm: | |
I am about to add window awnings over my bedroom windows. My question is, if the supports aren't the correct width to match the ribs on the bus (mine is finished inside), how should I secure them to the sheet metal? |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 6:11 pm: | |
The stink & staple RV awning side arms (used when the awning's
out/down) are screwed to the fiberglass. I wouldn't think you'd
have to worry if you're screwing them to a metal bus side, regardless
where the frame is.. Unless it's very windy, the weight is pressed
towards the side of the vehicle. The side arms can be long enough
to reach well under the glass, if necessary.. and.... they now make
side arms that are near even with the roller, and fold out to support
the awning.
Lotta' options, including banks to borrow from....$$$$ |
Dave Good (Eagle1)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 8:43 pm: | |
Is it permissible to put window awnings on a wide body coach? |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 9:22 pm: | |
Even 102" vehicles have mirrors that stick out further than the
vehicle's width. The awning roller can be set above and into the
curved roof to keep it "safer". The side arms will not be sticking
out as far as your mirrors, so you shouldn't have too much trouble..
Unfortunately, it's cheaper to replace a mirror than an awning....
Just remember that when you swing that mirror past a tight spot
and the back end will be coming as close. |
Gary Carter
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 12:08 pm: | |
Dave if you are asking if it is legal to put awnings on a 102" coach the answer is no except in MO and WY where the states passed laws allowing it.
Mirrors have always been exempt from the width regulation.
That being said I have only seen this law enforced once and that was during the FMCA convention held in Larimie, WY. They stopped all factory MHs with awnings and made them get permits. The also had to put over-width banners on the front. They did not stop any private coaches. Wyoming then changed their law.
A side bar to this issue is I do not believe that Winnebago will factory install an awning. |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 12:31 pm: | |
I think the law is written that the limit is 102" EXCEPT safety equipment such as mirrors, lights, etc. Jack |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 7:41 pm: | |
WOW!
We better notify all the major RV manufacturers of those 102" RVs
that -all- have awnings on their sides and handles that protrude beyond
that mandatory, legislated, "do it or die" 102" limit.
Wow... what a newsworthy story!! I can see a major recall
of all high-end RVs!
My old friend has an older 102" Bounder, complete with awnings on
every window. He's been from Massachusetts to Florida and back,
etc..... Just has every owner of a 102" RV that has awnings attached
to it's sides. Never a problem.
To further set the record straight:
Department: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Agency: Veterans Affairs Department
Published: 2004-03-12
SUMMARY: The FHWA amends its regulation on truck size and weight by
removing Recreational Vehicles (RVs) from consideration as
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and grants States additional
flexibility to deal with certain appurtenances extending from the
side of the RVs. These changes allow the States the discretion to
regulate the width of RVs and allows RVs to be exempt from any
special use overwidth permit requirements.
http://thefederalregister.com/d.p/2004-03-12-04-5634
If you title and register it in a state that allows it, you can take
it anyplace.
(there's a Constitutional amendment that grants that, I do believe) |
Lew Poppleton (Lewpopp)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 9:04 pm: | |
What kind of coach do you have that is all glass all the way to the top and you cannot mount anything? I wrote something along this order last night, but I guess I didn't register it. Do you have a Prevost? XL or H3? There are arms by Zip Dee for all of them. Maybe your coach was made at the Corning Glass Works and really is all glass. |
Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2005 - 3:18 am: | |
I guess I should not throw any stones.
Its a 1995 Prevost H3-41, originally a seated coach. The VIP coaches made for motorhomes have another 5" above the windows. Yes, Zip Dee makes the lateral arms, and I may get those for the patio on both sides. They are a little pricey to put over the bedroom windows too. I'm still not sure if anyone including Zip Dee makes a different type that will fit.
I appreciate all the posts, it would seem there is a clear consensus about the benefits of having some coverings over the bedroom windows - ie less heat, abilty to leave the windows open when raining, and perhaps some addtitional privacy. At this time I'm not really willing to spend another $6,000 for awnings for the rear windows (thats what two more lateral arms would cost). While the electric would be nice, I don't mind a manual crank, I haven't seen any that will fit. Maybe I just need to look more.
I have the windows from Penninsula, and they have a nice semi mirror finish that I find provides a lot of privacy in most circumstances - except of course at night when I have a light on. |