1. What is an electric RV awning?
Most traditional RV awnings are manually operated, with a crank handle to open and close, and the manual control RV awning with several steps to open and close, so in that situation, it makes the operation steps relatively difficult. As RV life becomes increasingly popular, more and more users are choosing electric RV awnings, which means that the awning is operated by a motor. It only takes one key remote control or button operation to open and close it within a few seconds.
It not only saves your time and physical strength, but also can respond quickly when sudden wind and rain. It is very helpful for solo travelers or those who are not good at operating, it will allow them to extend and retract the awning in a short time without complex steps.
2. Who is the electric RV awning suitable for?
It was recommended by the user type, and there are four types at the moment that we usually know.
First, the person who goes out for camping frequently, most of them request that the awning should be quick to set up & fold up to improve efficiency and time.
Second, the elderly or female RV users, an electric RV awning would save more labor-intensive operation, no manual arm required
Third, high-end RV configurations who aim to improve the overall experience, and support intelligent joint control
The final one, users who like to travel alone, may request it and can easily complete the setup by themself without relying on others
3. Comparative analysis of the main brands of electric RV awning models on the market
|
Brand |
Lippert (e.g., Solera Smart Arm) |
Carefree (e.g., Eclipse) |
Dometic (e.g., 9100 Power) |
AWNLUX (e.g., W5700) |
|
Brand Background |
A household name in the U.S. RV market, strong in system integration |
A classic North American brand, pioneer in smart awnings |
A long-established European brand with complete RV accessories |
A rising Chinese brand focusing on high cost-performance |
|
Electric Control |
Internal/external button control + optional remote, features unique Smart Arm system |
Primarily wireless remote control, supports automatic retraction via wind sensor |
Mainly wired control, some models support wireless remote |
Integrated manual/electric control, wireless remote with quick response and wind-sensing auto-retraction |
|
Smart Features |
Supports LED lighting, wind sensing, touch panel, anti-theft lock, and other expansion modules |
Optional wind sensing, tilt protection, and automatic retraction |
Basic electric control, wind sensing supported on some models |
Adjustable angle, position memory, and wind-sensing auto-retraction |
|
Structural Stability |
Reinforced arms with wind-locking mechanism, highly stable |
Mid-to-high grade, suitable for moderate wind conditions |
Mid-level, suitable for light winds and regular use |
High-strength aluminum arms + mechanical locking, excellent wind resistance (Beaufort scale 5–6) |
|
Canopy Material |
Multi-layer vinyl or acrylic fabric, UV-resistant and tear-resistant |
Double-layer vinyl/PVC, durable and waterproof |
Acrylic or vinyl materials, moderate aging resistance |
High-density PVC with coated treatment, excellent sun protection, mildew resistance, and water repellency |
|
Installation Compatibility |
Multiple models compatible with American RVs, strong system compatibility |
Easy installation, compatible with North American RVs |
Commonly found on European RVs, some installations require custom parts |
Compatible with North American RVs, partial support for custom installations |
|
Design Style |
Rugged industrial style with multiple shell color options |
Sleek and clean design, integrates easily with RV body |
Practical style with limited color options |
Minimalist design, matches modern RV color schemes |
|
Price Range (Reference) |
$2100-$3100 |
$1700–$2500 |
$1800–$2800 |
$1100-$1800 |
|
Target User Group |
North American RV users seeking strong integration and features |
Users who prefer automation and simple “plug-and-play” operation |
European RV users who value brand heritage and integrated systems |
Budget-conscious users and frequent campers prioritizing wind resistance and value |
4. Analysis of selling points of each brand base on the feedback from Amazon market.
1.Lippert: Rich in intelligent control like anti-theft, LED choice, and windproof function integration
2.Carefree: Highly intelligent experience + easy to use
3.Dometic: Stable system + European original matching consistency
4.AWNLUX: manual and electric control system with crank handle, Good wind resistance, wind sensor and LED, High cost performance
5. Analysis of pain points (disadvantages) Based on the feedback of each brand's Amazon sales customers
Lippert:
1. The control module is susceptible to moisture, leading to corrosion and failure
2. The motor gear is easily damaged and the maintenance cost is high
3. Weak wind resistance and poor structural stability
4. Complex installation and maintenance, it is difficult for users to handle by themselves
Carefree:
1. Design defects of components and expensive maintenance costs
2. Frequent problems with motors and control modules, resulting in the awning being unable to be retracted
3. Complex installation and debugging, difficult for users to handle by themselves
4. Weak wind resistance and poor structural stability
Dometic
1. Frequent motor failures and expensive maintenance costs
2. Problems with control modules and sensors
3. The awning is not closed tightly, posing a safety hazard
4. Complex installation and maintenance, difficult for users to handle by themselves
Awnlux
1. Unclear installation instructions and complex installation process
2. Parts quality problems, need to be replaced by yourself
3. Missing accessories, after-sales response is slow
Electric RV awnings offer convenient, but they also have obvious downsides, especially they are not good at motor reliability, control modules, structural stability, and ease of maintenance.
And from the shortcomings of major rv awning brands, the biggest problem with electric RV awnings reported by users is the motor.
In order to solve the motor problem, like sudden motor failure or when there is no power, Awnlux designed an electric rv awning which would be operated by manual and electric with crank handle in case run out of power or the motor damaged that the awning can not retractable, so in that case, the user would use the crank handle to retract the awning back.
Attached is the video link of how to operate Awnlux electric RV awning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fod81iMobcI
6. Summary and suggestions
Before buying an electric awning, do double think about your own installation skills and consider it whether you need professional assistance in installation or not.
During using, please pay attention to the wind resistance of the awning and avoid using it in an environment with high wind speed in case the RV awning was damaged.
If you find quality problems with parts, contact after-sales service right away, to ensure you would use the the RV awning normally.
You could also choose a suitable electric RV awning according to your own situation or the requirement.