Individual Window Awnings

[DonaldC]

I hope someone can give me a definitive answer. I searched forms to no avail and I called GD they were supposed to send me info but did not. It was a long wait time on the phone.

I have a 2020 Imagine 2600RB purchased in 2019. I would like to add roll up individual window awnings on the two slide out windows to block the sun. Not the large patio style awnings that comes on the entry door side. This should help keep it cooler inside during the summer. I had gone on Care Free of Colorado web site and read the installation guide. They require the awning bracket to be installed 3" above the window frame. This places it on the black frame around the slide out. My question is will mounting the awning bracket on this frame be secure while going down the highway? Is this frame structurally sound to support the additional weight and tension of the roller arm spring?

Also, if anyone has installed window awnings with the "Full View" material do you recommend it, and is it effective in stopping the solar heat gain inside.

Thanks

[Second Chance]

Donald,

You're asking some very specific questions and I'm not sure I've seen any discussion of individual window awnings on towables on this forum (they're something usually seen on class A motorhomes like the one next to us right now). That said, if the slide frame on your Imagine is metal like the frames on our Reflection and Solitude slides are/have been, the frame should be plenty strong. On our Solitude, the brackets for the slide toppers are mounted to these frames and the slide toppers are quite a bit heavier than the awnings you're considering. I would be more concerned about the lower arm mounts on the exterior siding of the slide where there are no backing plates.

I don't have any personal experience with the "full view" materials. I do have experience with the 3M films and anything that you can see through only eliminates a finite percentage of radiated heat and UV. If it were me, I'd go with a light-colored fabric to reflect more heat and live with the shading/light blockage on the days the awnings are deployed. We use the awning over the slide and our big picture windows this way when the sun is on that side of the trailer.

Rob

[Steven@147]

I'm with Rob, slide toppers are attached to the slide frames and seem strong enough for them. I have not seen travel trailers with individual window awnings, only motorhomes. Not to say that it can't be done though. Like Rob I would be more concerned about mounting the window awning arms to the outside walls, don't know if they would be strong enough or what is behind those outside walls. But then again big side awning vertical arms are attached to the outside walls, don't know if they are specifically placed to anchor into internal wall studs or not.

[DonaldC]

Thanks Rob and Steve, good points.

[fmartinmn]

I hope someone can give me a definitive answer. I searched forms to no avail and I called GD they were supposed to send me info but did not. It was a long wait time on the phone.

I have a 2020 Imagine 2600RB purchased in 2019. I would like to add roll up individual window awnings on the two slide out windows to block the sun. Not the large patio style awnings that comes on the entry door side. This should help keep it cooler inside during the summer. I had gone on Care Free of Colorado web site and read the installation guide. They require the awning bracket to be installed 3" above the window frame. This places it on the black frame around the slide out. My question is will mounting the awning bracket on this frame be secure while going down the highway? Is this frame structurally sound to support the additional weight and tension of the roller arm spring?

Also, if anyone has installed window awnings with the "Full View" material do you recommend it, and is it effective in stopping the solar heat gain inside.

Thanks

Good morning Donald, I read the concerns that Rob & Steve mentioned. Have you considered upgrading your window shades to Day/Night? something like this? https://www.shadepro.net/product/rv-...roller-shades/