Replace Colorado Carefree Awning

[chuckstovall]

On my 2017 LEII, I've had problems with my Carefree manual awning.  Specifically the plastic parts involved with the struts.  I'm done trying to keep it functional and am ready to replace it.  I'd read that at some point Oliver had gone to Fiamma (not sure if that is correct) and that they now supply Girard.  I'm happy with manual operation but would like something that is simple, dependable and easy to use.  I'm confident with doing the install myself so just need to find the right one.  If you like yours, what do you have?  If you've replaced yours, what did you get?  Did anyone DIY on the replacement?

Along that line, I measure my current awning at 14'4" outside to outside of mechanism, with the actual fabric closer to 14'.  Jason tells me the current LEII's come with 16'.  

Lastly, has anyone swapped their as-built manual for a powered awning?  If so, can you fill me in please?   Thanks in advance!

[Mike and Carol]

My 2016 came with a manual Fiamma.  It’s been reliable and still works fine.  Mike

[chuckstovall]

2 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

My 2016 came with a manual Fiamma.  It’s been reliable and still works fine.  Mike

Thanks for the input.  Does it have struts/legs for stabilization?  

[ScubaRx]

2 hours ago, chuckstovall said:

Thanks for the input.  Does it have struts/legs for stabilization?  

The early Elite II's were all delivered with the Fiamma awnings and they do have legs, they are adjustable in length and can be staked down to the ground or slanted back to brackets mounted on the side of the trailer. At over 11 years in, like Mike and Carol, we have never had a single issue with ours.

Edited May 13 by ScubaRx

[jd1923]

44 minutes ago, ScubaRx said:

The early Elite II's were all delivered with the Fiamma awnings

Ours too, and like Mike’s and Steve’s still in very good cosmetic and working condition. I find it a pain to use and honestly have only used it once in our 2 years. I usually just park so that our entrance side is in the afternoon shade. We enjoy morning sun with coffee.

I would likely use an electric model more often. If ours were to fail though, I would just remove it and all the brackets, patch the fiberglass, and the Oliver would look so aerodynamically cool! 😂

[Jason Foster]

18 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

... and the Oliver would look so aerodynamically cool! 😂

Except for the marvelously non aerodynamic gull wing solar panels.

[Mike and Carol]

10 hours ago, chuckstovall said:

Thanks for the input.  Does it have struts/legs for stabilization?  

Yes, it does.  They can sit in brackets on the side of the trailer or you can drop them straight down to the ground.  You can also stake them to the ground which I have done.  With our sunshade attached the awning can withstand some pretty windy conditions.  It’s not as easy to deploy as the electrics, but is not really a hassle either.  Mike

[SeaDawg]

My 2008 elite  came with a Fiama. Manual.

We replaced it with another Fiama manual after it suffered some stress (Our fault.)

Still working great, 8byears or so later.

[Jason Foster]

12 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

Yes, it does.  They can sit in brackets on the side of the trailer or you can drop them straight down to the ground.  You can also stake them to the ground which I have done.  With our sunshade attached the awning can withstand some pretty windy conditions.  It’s not as easy to deploy as the electrics, but is not really a hassle either.  Mike

A sunshade for an awning.  Wait a second.  I need one of those.  Is that specific to yours or is it a generic that can be used with any one of them.  Specifically, a Girard power awning like mine.  I wonder how that would work with the auto retract system?

[chuckstovall]

3 hours ago, SeaDawg said:

My 2008 elite  came with a Fiama. Manual.

We replaced it with another Fiama manual after it suffered some stress (Our fault.)

Still working great, 8byears or so later.

Thanks - great info.  Some follow-up questions, if you don't mind.

Is it the F45s model?  Do you recall the length?  Where did you buy it?

[Mike and Carol]

11 hours ago, Jason Foster said:

A sunshade for an awning.  Wait a second.  I need one of those.  Is that specific to yours or is it a generic that can be used with any one of them.  Specifically, a Girard power awning like mine.  I wonder how that would work with the auto retract system?

It’s generic, we got it at Quartzsite at one of the booth vendors that are always set up selling RV stuff.  It slides into the rail on our awning (there are two).  The very top part has a zipper so you can drop the main part quickly if necessary.  The smaller top part also makes installing it pretty simple.

[Ronbrink]

11 hours ago, Jason Foster said:

A sunshade for an awning.  Wait a second.  I need one of those.  Is that specific to yours or is it a generic that can be used with any one of them.  Specifically, a Girard power awning like mine.  I wonder how that would work with the auto retract system?

Aftermarket sunshade kits are readily available for a variety of awning makes and models. One would want to turn off the switched power with use on an auto retract unit. 

[Jason Foster]

15 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

It’s generic, we got it at Quartzsite at one of the booth vendors that are always set up selling RV stuff.  It slides into the rail on our awning (there are two).  The very top part has a zipper so you can drop the main part quickly if necessary.  The smaller top part also makes installing it pretty simple.

Awesome. Definitely want the zipper style since my awning seems a bit flimsy in the wind.  

[Jason Foster]

15 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

Aftermarket sunshade kits are readily available for a variety of awning makes and models. One would want to turn off the switched power with use on an auto retract unit. 

I would definitely want to keep up with wind conditions since this would only increase the sail. 

[Ronbrink]

7 hours ago, Jason Foster said:

I would definitely want to keep up with wind conditions since this would only increase the sail. 

Right that! I’ve seen where support posts are placed at each corner of the awning (which manual awnings already have or variations thereof) and the bottom of the sunshade is anchored. Supposedly this makes for a more stable setup in windy conditions. 

[Jason Foster]

1 hour ago, Ronbrink said:

Right that! I’ve seen where support posts are placed at each corner of the awning (which manual awnings already have or variations thereof) and the bottom of the sunshade is anchored. Supposedly this makes for a more stable setup in windy conditions. 

I wonder if these support poles are made specifically for Girard or a MacGyver option sans previously chewed gum. 

[Ronbrink]

4 minutes ago, Jason Foster said:

I wonder if these support poles are made specifically for Girard or a MacGyver option sans previously chewed gum. 

Likely MacGyvered adaptations!! Actually, Carefree offers a height adjustable vertical stabilizer that looks universal for all awning types.

Edited May 15 by Ronbrink

[Jason Foster]

56 minutes ago, Ronbrink said:

Likely MacGyvered adaptations!! Actually, Carefree offers a height adjustable vertical stabilizer that looks universal for all awning types.

Ah ha. Thanks for this.