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Old 01-19-2010, 02:25 PM   #1
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Sunsetter?

I'll throw this out there. I want to put a retractable awning on the side of the bus. What about the Sunsetter retractable awnings for homes? I got a flyer from them with a coupon for $200 off. The size I would want for my bus would cost me $599. Weather rated, rolls up into it's own case. more choice of colors........
Pros?
Cons?
Whatcha all think?

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Old 01-19-2010, 04:53 PM   #2
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Re: Sunsetter?

I was going to do the same thing next time I bought an awning. I don't see why it wouldn't work great. For some people I guess it would be prohibitive to need 120V power to put the awning in and out but if needed you could install a little inverter just to run the awning.
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Old 01-19-2010, 08:32 PM   #3
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Re: Sunsetter?

I hate to be the fly in the ointment, but there is a reason they don't put those on RV's... and they are basically the exact same unit. What the sunsetter is lacking is travel locks... I've seen enough RV's on the side of the road trying to figure out why their awning has unfurled as they rolled down the hwy.

Now I'm not saying it can't be done, if you can find some way to positively lock them in place that would be somethng to consider. You may even be able to add RV travel locks to the sunsetter, I believe the Sunsetter is made by A&E and that is the same people that make my RV awning (they look almost exactly the same).
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Old 01-19-2010, 09:10 PM   #4
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Re: Sunsetter?

I got one. Works just fine. Retracted it hold in place without any problems. The spring that retracts the awning is pretty strong. My only problem was the body on my bus curves so i had to make a bracket to extend the lower mount out a few inches. I think the power roll in/out is an option-mine doesn't have it.
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Old 01-21-2010, 02:27 PM   #5
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Re: Sunsetter?

Thanks for the replies...guys
I think I'll go sunsetter with my own positive lock setup on it.
sdwarf36,
Your awning looks great. And love the Zappa quotes
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Old 01-22-2010, 11:42 AM   #6
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Re: Sunsetter?

MIne doesnt crank in + out-it has a little lever to flip for in+out-you pull it out against a spring load -you can hear it "rachet" -flip the lever + the spring helps retract it. When it gets to the full retracted position, the outer section of the arm + inner section "nest" so things stay stationary. And the spring wraps up the awning nice + tight. I was worried about coming loose going down the road when i first installed it-but after you hear+ see how much force it takes to get it from retracted to start to open you wont worry at all. Or you can just wrap a bungee around things if your really parinoid.
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Old 01-24-2010, 06:27 AM   #7
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Re: Sunsetter?

Have you considered the Dometic Awnings? I know that they are a little expensive, but you can get both manual or electric ones and the electrics have a sensor that will bring them back in when it gets too windy instead of forcing you to remember to roll it up.

http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas...ducts/awnings/
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