LocknLoad
Northern Illinois, USA
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Joined: 01/30/2004
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This past weekend on Sunday morning my wife and I were setting out under the awning on our 2004 North Star Model NSDP 3932. There was a very gentle rain. This was the first time we have had the awning out in the rain. We set there at first and listen to the awning dip down automatically discharge water. After about 5 or 6 times of this we were comfortable that the awning was doing it's thing automatically and not letting rain water accumulate. Well about 1/2 hour later much to our surprise the awning broke just missing my wife in the head, but drenching my wife my dog and myself. To make matters worse, Dometic does not have a emergency number, thus no answer, the dealership where we purchased the motorhome was the same no answer. My wife ended up calling Newmar and talked to someone named Chris. He stated just to give him a little time to try to find someone in our area to help us. He stated he would call back "If you believe this I think there is a Bridge somewhere that someone wants to sell you. Well it took my wife and 2 hours to get the awning rolled and secured against the motorhome, as there was a storm with 80 MPH winds coming. As of today I called my dealer and let him know what happened, He stated that he would contact Dometic to see what they could do for me. I have yet to hear anything. This motorhome was purchased in February 2004 and has about 2800 miles on it I don't see where there should be any question at all about "What Dometic can do for me".
I am just venting, but would like feedback on anyone having trouble with this "So - Called Automatic awning" ?
LocknLoad, Mrs Locknload, Chewy
2004 Newmar Northstar NSDP3932
LocknLoad
Mrs LocknLoad, Chewy
2011 Montana 3455SA
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future-full-timer
Oceanside, CA
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Joined: 09/08/2003
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Artificial intelligence just aint there yet. I still prefer common sense and the manual approach. I read an article about someone that bought and took delivery of a new motorhome from the factory. They paid extra for one of those new fangled awnings that roll them selves up when the wind reached 30 mph. Well after leaving the factory and getting the coach up to 30 mph the awning rolled out and ripped off the side of the coach. The factory wired it backwards.
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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What a hassle, sounds like it was just luck that prevented injury. Glad to hear no one was injured.
The most common complaint is that the wind sensor is too sensitive.. Which I understand is corrected by a new control box and wind sensor.. But I have not heard of any of the weather pro's breaking.. What broke?
Hopefully you problem gets a quick remedy.. Let us know
JohnnyT
2004 40DS02 Travel Supreme ISL 400
Jeep Grand Cherokee
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wantaberetired
pensacola,fl. usa
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I have the A&E weather pro automatic on my 2004 Journey. I haven't had it rip yet because it won't stay out long enough too. Even in the slightest breeze it will automatically retract. I have to turn off the automatic part just to be able to use it at all. Had it back to the dealer and they can't do any thing for it. Needless to say tho it is nice to be able to push a button and have it go out or in, it is not as useful as regular awnings. I feel your pain and am interested in knowing what they do for you to fix it.
J Paul
2004 Winnebago Journey 36G with '99 Saturn toad
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LocknLoad
Northern Illinois, USA
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The extruded aluminum that the awning rolls up on, broke right in half and proceeded to come straight down.
LL
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Chuck S.
Tonasket, Wa. 98855
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Joined: 03/13/2001
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I have the A@E. Ours ripped about 5" out from the coach, full length. It was raining but not that hard. I was standing under it and the roll came down till the bending metal stopped it about 3' above ground. The rain dump was working fine. My insurance replaced the whole works b ecause A@E wouldn't touch it. The new one won't dump rain so I never leave it out if I anticipate rain. Keep trying, you might get lucky with a different mfg. Chuck.....
Chuck S.
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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WOW.. you folks were lucky. A couple of weeks ago 2cyber71 had his awning snap in two during a heavy rain at the Gettysburg Rally.. I am not sure what make he had but it was not a Weather Pro... But it could well have been a dometic. You might want to PM him for the particulars...
JohnnyT
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MontereyBruce
Pacific Grove, CA
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We added an A&E Weather Pro to our MH a couple of months ago. I don't have the warranty with me right now, but I think it reads something like this:
Damage caused by wind or rain is excluded.
Isn't that pretty funny for a product named as it is?
Bruce & Sharon
'04 Beaver Monterey 36'10"
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TMitchell
Punta Gorda, Fl.
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Joined: 12/02/2003
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I have the A&E Weather Pro by Dometic. It will also retract under the slightest breeze. The only advantage aside from being able to put it out or in at a touch of a button is you don't have any hardware to bump your head against. Now if I can find a location with absolutely no wind I will be able to enjoy it.
Tom,Pat and Buster the Boston Terrier
2004 Dutch Star 3807 Spartan 370HP
Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Itchn2go
Seaford,Va USA
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Joined: 07/11/2003
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My Weather Pro Awning retracts too fast also. I have had several conversations with A&E about this and their answer is if it is wired correctly and retracting too fast they will replace the wind sensor and the "box" as one unit. It does no good to replace one without the other. The wire from the sensor to the box must be a communications cable.
After reading bout the rain and breakage and warranty. I call A&E again. Spoke with John. He informed me that rain damage was an act of God. I informed him that the awning was designed to dump water and to me if it didn't dump the water it was a malfunction of the awning. I told him if it was a regular awning and one failed to lower it then I could see where there would be no warranty. When a product they designed to dump water, didn't, then I felt it should be covered. He said it was susposed to be lowered I asked him how to do it as there was no instructions in the manual to tell one how to lower the power awning.
He put me on hold and checked and said no it doesn't lower manually. It is really not designed for rain but for sun. In a light rain it will lower and dump water. In a heavy rain it can't get rid of the water fast enough and that is when it breaks. The heavy rain is an act of God and its the owners responsibility to raise the awning. If we had wind with the heavy rain I suspose it should raise itself. Moral is when in doubt ...raise the d@#&n thing.
Doesn't look like the automatic feature is much of a benefit. The power part is sure nice.
Sorry this is so long,, yet I wanted ya'll to know I tried for it to be covered by the warranty.
I go to the dealer on Monday for this and a few other things and I'll keep you posted.
Happy Trails.
ITCHN2GO,Seaford,VA
05 Winnebago Journey, 39K, 350 Cat, Freightliner & More
1 Beautiful Wife, 2 Beautiful Dogs
TOAD 04 FWD Vue Ready to Go
"It all depends on who you talk to"
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