2nd Awning?

[Chrisharon]

We are finalizing our order for a 2027 OE II.  

The benefits of the second awning keeps gnawing at us------don't want to miss out on getting something we might really wish we had .  On the other hand, don't want to shell out a big chunk of change for something we may rarely use.....

So, for those of you with a second awning, how often do you actually use it?  Is it something you couldn't/wouldn't want to live without?

As far as our own circumstances go, we are located in the UP of MI and don't plan to do a lot of camping in extreme heat, if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance and we're really looking forward to becoming a part of this community!

 

Chris and Sharon

 

[DaveAndBecky_NorthernMI]

We are also Michiganders (trolls 😁). We opted not to get the second awning and do not regret the decision at all. We have spent a lot of time in sounthwest US and find the trailer stays cool up even in 80+ temps. In fact we don't use the primary awning that much when wind is high due to damage concerns. I know some owners have developed anchoring options to help with this.

[topgun2]

In my 11th year of Ollie ownership I doubt that I've used the single awning more than 10 times TOTAL.

Yes, there was one time when I could have used both awnings - if I actually had them, but, certainly that one time is not worth the cost.

For what its worth - I generally camp high in the mountains.  Good news is that at elevation (usually above 7500 feet) it always cools way down when the sun goes over the mountains.  Bad news is that the wind is very unpredictable in the mountains and I don't want to have that wind damage a fairly expensive "sail"

If there is a fairly good chance that you will spend a fair amount of time in the southwest - think about a lack of trees and a reasonably fierce sun - then I'd suggest giving that second awning serious thought.  Or, if you are the type to set up camp and then sit under the awning for considerable periods of time, you might want to consider that second awning.  Other than that - spend the money on something that you will use more ofter.

Bill

p.s. welcome to the Forum and soon to the Family.  

[FloraFauna]

We did not get the second awning either and have not regretted it - in fact happy we didn't.  We travel out of Wisconsin so shading the "other side" of the trailer is rarely important to us where if you are always in full sun in hotter climates then maybe it is worth it.  We use the curbside awning about half the time and often extended only about halfway.  I am glad we have the curbside awning but also glad we don't have the streetside awning.

[johnwen]

We also have just 1 awning.  True we don't use it very often but are happy we have it.  We probably would use it a little more if the fabric was not black.  BTW...I recently (2 weeks ago) got a quote from Mike at Oliver and at $4600 for adding another, we will be happy with just the 1 we have.

Congrats on your future new Oliver

John

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, topgun2 said:

In my 11th year of Ollie ownership I doubt that I've used the single awning more than 10 times TOTAL...

If there is a fairly good chance that you will spend a fair amount of time in the southwest - think about a lack of trees and a reasonably fierce sun - then I'd suggest giving that second awning serious thought. 

I'm a bit like Bill, but certainly camp much more in the SW.

With almost 3 years of ownership, 2 full years of travel, 17K miles and 150+ nights out, we've only used our entry awning 4 times. Mainly to check it out. I only remember one summer day in SD on the Missouri where it made a difference in temp camping on grass in high humidity. It felt like a 20 degree drop!

We do not have a streetside awning. Though if we had dual power awnings, I would likely use them often. But we would not spend $,$$$ on them! 🤣  

We live in the SW and still rarely use our entry awning. Though we do not summer camp and prefer to camp at elevation. The Oliver dual-hulls and dual-pain windows (are they still?) are very well insulated, so keeping sun off the body doesn't help much. You likely not sitting on that side.

If you plan to summer camp often, that could make a difference. Also, some Oliver owners I know park at the same campsite for 1-2 months (I would have to shoot myself after a week!). We move every few days and erecting the manual awning is a bit of a pain.

Dual power awnings? If money is easy for you, then why not! Trying to trim total cost, this should be the first to go IMO, The symmetry must look cool! 😎

[topgun2]

9 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

dual-pain windows (are they still?)

YES.

[Steph and Dud B]

We love our second awning and use it all the time when camping in Connecticut. We do a lot of dry camping at the beach, where there's plenty of sun for our solar. I often park the trailer oriented north/south and we put one awning out in the morning, then the other out in the afternoon when the sun crosses over the trailer. Gives us shade to sit in all day and keeps the trailer cooler inside.

If you plan dry camping frequently in sunny, open spaces, even up north, it might be worth it for you.

[taylor.coyote]

We purchased a used trailer in 2019 that has two awnings.   We spend a lot of time in the remote high deserts boon-docking in the western states. Over the last six years we have yet to use the awning on the back side of the trailer. The good news: we have been able to use the second awning for spare parts on a couple of occations to keep our front awning operational.  

Based on our experience, we would not recommend investing in a secound awning. 

[taylor.coyote]

We purchased a used trailer in 2019 that has two awnings.   We spend a lot of time in the remote high deserts boon-docking in the western states. Over the last six years we have yet to use the awning on the back side of the trailer. The good news: we have been able to use the second awning for spare parts on a couple of occations to keep our front awning operational.  

Based on our experience, we would not recommend investing in a secound awning.