The awning is the difference between an RV parked in a field and a campsite you actually want to sit at. If yours is worn out — or your rig never had one — the first fork in the road is the same as with entry steps: manual or electric?
How manual awnings work
A manual roll-out awning uses a spring-loaded roller tube: you hook the pull strap, walk it out, and lock the support arms. With a telescopic opener pole it's a one-person, two-minute job.
- Lower cost — no motor, no wiring, no switch to fail
- Lighter — matters on weight-conscious off-road trailers
- Field-repairable — a spring or arm problem in the backcountry can usually be worked around; a dead motor can't
- Trade-off: deploying and stowing takes effort, and in a sudden wind gust you're out there cranking while the fabric flogs
How electric awnings work
An electric awning does the same job with a 12V motor — press and hold a button (or a wireless remote) and the canopy rolls out or in. Our Black Series OEM electric awning comes in 11.48 ft and 13.12 ft widths for HQ Series campers.
- One-button shade — no strap-hooking, no arm-locking, no ladder
- Fast storm response — when weather rolls in, retracting in seconds instead of minutes is the difference between a stowed awning and a bent one
- Remote operation — with a wireless remote you can stow the awning from inside the camper
- Trade-off: higher cost, needs 12V power, and adds electric components (motor, controller, remote) that can eventually wear out — though on OEM systems those are individually replaceable rather than whole-awning failures
Which should you choose?
- Off-grid and off-road first: manual. Simplicity and field-repairability win far from a parts store.
- Frequent camp moves, mobility concerns, or you just want shade now: electric. You'll deploy it far more often when it's effortless — and an awning you actually use is the one worth owning.
- Replacing on a Black Series camper: match what your trailer was built with — see the Black Series awning size & fitment guide to confirm the right width before ordering.
Whichever you choose
Fabric, arms, and hardware age the same way on both types — our awning replacement & buying guide covers sizing and options, and if the fabric is the only thing gone, replacing the fabric yourself is cheaper than a whole new unit. Browse everything awning-related in our Awning & Door Steps collection.