Posted 2008-03-14 10:38 AM (#79563) Subject: awning or not
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Springtown, Texas
I am going to add lq in my 9 year old gn trailer. Trying to decide if an awning is worth the extra $ or not. Trailer is a 4ft short wall so will need extra room outside to cook, sit, etc but also considered just using one of those self contained pop up awnings. Trailer will be used for trail rides. If you have an awning on your trailer, how much do you actually use it? Thanks
Posted 2008-03-14 10:54 AM (#79565 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We use ours when ever the weather permits. We use them in the rain to keep the mud down outside the door; we use them on sunny days for the shade. On windy, stormy days we keep them rolled up.
I would highly recommend an awning, and as long a one that is practical. It affords an enjoyable time, while reclining in your chair in the shade, with your favorite beverage. It will turn a hot oppressive day into a comfortable, enjoyable one.
When we travel with other horse owners, we frequently will park side to side with the awnings almost meeting together. This affords a large area to meet, cook and congregate.
Posted 2008-03-14 10:57 AM (#79566 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Two words...YES for the awning!! And make sure you get an Awning Lock!!I have both...an awning on my RV and one of those free standing popup canopy. The popup canopy is hard to set up ....all by yourself.
Posted 2008-03-14 11:21 AM (#79569 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
We love ours, and use it all the time. Even to tie saddled stock under in the shade (really broke stock!) but love it love it! Have been using awnings for 20 or more years. Have the pop up shade too, and use it if using a trailer with no awning, but just love the awning! Deflap and tie down for extra secure.
Posted 2008-03-14 12:05 PM (#79571 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Regular
Posts: 62 Location: Western Wisconsin
YES YES YES If by some small chance you decide that you regret putting an awning on your trailer #1 you don't HAVE to use it and #2 Resale resale resale Just my 2 cents... Sarah
Posted 2008-03-14 1:34 PM (#79573 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: MO in woods
YES awning,we use ours all time while camping shade etc and rain(keeps area dry)even bought sunscreen(slighlty privacy with shade and allows breeze/air blow there).Will also put awning out after ride(day rides too) to sit close trailer near horses.Have had awnings last many years too.We had bought used trailer and wind in Wyoming(wicked storm) ripped off awning and insurance covered replacement.New awning lasted 6 months-had some sorta defect and sorted ripping everywhere and material split etc.Took trailer in to dealer put it on and was replaces real quick.We will always have awning as we use and enjoy it just as much as trailer.Get one is not much work/maintance caring for just some cleaning.
Posted 2008-03-14 1:46 PM (#79574 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Veteran
Posts: 142 Location: KY
I would go with the awning we use ours all the time except like gard said during windy and stormy conditions. I try to sell awnings with every trailer that someone is even just putting air in and every time they decide not to they end up putting one on anyhow and regret not getting it to start with. So yes to the awning you will not regret getting it, but you will regret not getting it.
Posted 2008-03-14 1:59 PM (#79576 - in reply to #79563) Subject: Yes!
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Trout Creek, MT
I wouldn't have paid for one, but my trailer came with one. Now, I wouldn't be without it. We use ours a lot, at horse shows, there is usually not much shade, so it is handy for that in addition to the bad weather.
Posted 2008-03-14 2:09 PM (#79578 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Veteran
Posts: 214 Location: lyle,mn
THey are great to have, but after you have one put on, practice at home a couple of times pulling out and putting it back. The people who install them make it looks so easy or maybe it is because I'm blonde. Keep the instruction in your trailer!!
Posted 2008-03-15 4:26 AM (#79610 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
YES! YES! YES! We LOVE our awning. As a matter of fact, when we were looking at trailers, hubby and I had a little saying..."No air, No awning, No sale!"
Like Gard said, we often set ours up so it meets with our friends' awning. This makes a great place to gather which would be shaded from the sun or rain.
Posted 2008-03-15 12:03 PM (#79622 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
Gard - you are funny. All are welcome for dinner.
That was at Circle E last fall. There were 9 of us. That was 2 chuck roasts with potatoes, carrots and onions. Pre-cooked it at home and finished it over the campfire. Yummm. Of course, you didn't get to see the peach cobbler we had for dessert. But Dwight forgot the ice cream. Boy did they give him a hard time over that.
We are currently preparing for an April ride at MidWest Trail Ride in Indiana. There will be 15 going. May have to do 4 roasts for that one!!
Posted 2008-03-15 12:27 PM (#79623 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Beverly
Some people just don't understand the difficulties and hardships horse people have to endure while camping. It's primitive, lonely, uncomfortable, and just downright uncivilized. We have to constantly shovel smelly, steamy creations, clean the horses, and crowd around a campfire for warmth. Our sleeping bags leak, the critters chew on our toes during the night, and the coffee is cold and pours like maple syrup. We have to use bushes for relief and privacy, the beef jerky is only chewable after boiling in water.
This is what my non-horse owner neighbors think we endure every time we leave on a trip. My wife and I are considered "macho". I suppose at the right time we'll have to tell them the real story.
Posted 2008-03-16 11:18 AM (#79651 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
Gard- Your story of what your neighbors think you do on while camping sounds like our last outing in October, only it was our roof vent leaking. The wifeys side was soaked, mine was dry, but would she let me sleep? Nooooo!!!!!! You would have thought the world was falling in. Have since replaced the vent cover and put a deflection cover over that, and she's still not happy.
Posted 2008-03-16 8:35 PM (#79691 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Regular
Posts: 74 Location: IN
Dwight...When are you guys going to Midwest? I will (hopefully) have my "new" LQ and was planning a trip during the third week...but that's singles weekend and I don't currently qualify! It would be nice to know there will be a few friendlies around to help me with any "glitches" I may encounter! My husband and his Dad will be fishing at Lake Monroe in a cabin. I'll be one of those crazy, toe-gnawin', critter-lovin', poop-scoopin' cave-dwellin' horse people.
Posted 2008-03-16 9:26 PM (#79698 - in reply to #79563) Subject: RE: awning or not
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I would suggest a 2-step awning if the price is in your budget. Much easier to put up and less likely to whack your head on the awning arm. Wish our trailer had the 2-step, we have the old-fashioned roll down and lift-out kind and can be sometimes difficult to put back up when it gets windy.
Posted 2008-03-16 9:41 PM (#79699 - in reply to #79698) Subject: RE: awning or not
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: Kansas
Originally written by ponytammy on 2008-03-16 9:26 PM I would suggest a 2-step awning if the price is in your budget. Much easier to put up and less likely to whack your head on the awning arm. Wish our trailer had the 2-step, we have the old-fashioned roll down and lift-out kind and can be sometimes difficult to put back up when it gets windy.
Ditto on the "Two Step". I have one.. and it is easy to set up and put away.. all by myself. It also has more "give" for breezy days.. less chance of it getting tangled up.
awning or not
Gard - you are funny. All are welcome for dinner.
. Of course, you didn't get to see the peach cobbler we had for dessert. But Dwight forgot the ice cream. Boy did they give him a hard time over that.
It also has more "give" for breezy days.. less chance of it getting tangled up.