I have decided to sell my Westy side tent, and get an awning. For a single person, it seems more practical, because the side tent is sort of hard to put up by yourself. So, looking around I have found six awnings that might work for my '87 Westfalia, by Shady Boy, Dometic and Carefree. They fall into four groups, fiberglass pole support, (Shady Boy) , roller with spring return (Dometic), manual roll-up (Fiama and Carefree) and crank out (Fiama and Carefree) Prices range from about $300 for the manual rollup models to $600 + for the crankout. Shady Boy is about $350 (??) and I can't find a price on the Dometic. Campingworld doesn't have it on their web site. Anyone know where you can get them anymore? I have listed the models, with their advantages and disadvantages as I see it. If you have used one, I would love to get your opinion, keeping in mind that it has to be easy for one person to use. Shady Boy $350?? Advantages: Small, lightweight container, few moving parts, looks neat, one person can easily set up Disadvantages: Manual set up and takedown, must be fully extended to use, requires guy ropes for any wind Catalina 2500 (Dometic) $??? Advantages: Spring assisted rollup, can be extended any amount Disadvantages: Heavy tube attached to van Fiama F35 $300+ Advantages: Low price Disadvantages: Manual rollup, must be extended full amount to use, difficult for one person to setup Fiama F45 $600 Advantages: Can be extended any amount, easy crank out or in Disadvantages: Price Carefree Sidewinder II $300 Advantages: Low price Disadvantages: Manual rollup, must be extended full amount to use, difficult for one person to setup Carefree Freedom II $600+ Advantages: Can be extended any amount, easy crank out or in Disadvantages: Price Web Sites - http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/ PS - if you are interested in a nice side-tent, let me know!
Mike Finkbiner '87 Westy Moscow, ID
Mike Finkbiner mike_l_f@hotmail.com
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