LCI Solera RV Awning Screen Room Installation

[@americanrvtraveler2446]

I agree with this being a problem in thunderstorms. I camp a lot in Florida and we are now having them daily.

[@LoveYourRV]

I remember one year spending parts of July in the Black Hills area of Wyoming and South Dakota, same thing almost everyday a big thunderstorm in the late afternoon. Scariest thing for an RVer was the hailstones! Lucky for us they never got too big but once they are quarter size or bigger they can do some serious damage to the RV roof, vents and AC covers. Some local guy told me he had lost a few trailers to hail and had trucks dented up pretty bad.

[@rmahlbacher]

For the bottom, use the water filled tubes they use for inground pool cover hold downs. Sand would be too heavy to carry around when moving. The water can be dumped and refilled at your next stop.

[@LoveYourRV]

I figure I'd just dump the sand, well that's thinking that, because we usually travel the desert during the winter, lots of sand. :) Another thought would be collapsible water jugs. Screen room hold down + extra boondocking water!

[@knighthauler2529]

Wrong flag Ray.

[@williamsuttle3645]

Once I get my awning fixed I need to get one of those. Before I headed to California in December we had a big rain storm come up and dump a couple of inches of rain in less than an hour, it snapped my awning roller in half. I had one side lower than the other but it didnt drain quick enough, pooled in the center and snapped. I came back from town , sun was out, awning snapped. Oh well. Before all of that, I was looking at one of these rooms for privacy. I was hesitant to get it though because I never saw one being put up, thanks to you now I have. Thanks Ray.

[@LoveYourRV]

Wow, big rain! when we first got the rig I forgot to angle the awning. :) Ending up slightly cracking my sidewall fiberglass - www.loveyourrv.com/5-stupid-things-i-have-done-to-damage-my-rv/ :) Using the Awning as Water Barrel This one kind of scared us a little when it happened. We had the RV about a week and loved the new power awning. Previously in our camper van we had the old manual deploying type. So I had been playing around with it and left it out on a bright sunny day and went inside to have some dinner. Halfway through the meal the skies opened up and a huge rain downpour started. We watched it out the windows of our new RV, all cozy and snug inside. Suddenly we hear a huge whooosh..splash! Followed by a terrible banging sound. The trailer rocked side to side and we looked at each other in shock! What the H E double hockey sticks was that! Running outside I looked around and saw what had happened, the awning had filled with water until the sheer weight of it eventually bent it down and emptied a ton of water in an instant. Lucky the awning suffered no damage and is fine, however when it sprang back it caused a couple hairline cracks in the trailer’s fiberglass wall.

[@williamsuttle3645]

@@LoveYourRV good grief! When mine happened my neighbor (about 150 yards away) said it made one heck of a pop. My rig is an aluminium siding, so as far as I can tell it didn't hurt anything else, but the connectors that secure the awning arms to the bottom of the trailer, the pins in those broke and the roller broke. I will always close it when I leave from now on , once I get it fixed. I have missed it, especially in the desert. Actually, using it to catch rain seems like a good idea, until the frog strangler rain comes up. I'm glad your rig is ok.

[@ncplantdoctor]

For the first time in a long time, we got to capture Ann in a video. That was a bonus.

[@kimpreston6086]

Thank you Ray for doing everyone who RVs such a great service with your reviews. It is obvious that your only true bias is that a product isn’t up to snuff. Whether you purchase an item or receive it gratis has never seemed to make a difference in your honesty. Keep doing what you do. We all appreciate you and your instructions and reviews so much. Don’t let one silly hater influence you. Without your guidance we would still have broken shades in our trailer and a useless water heater 😆😊.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks. :)

[@GaryBoyd02]

Interesting to see how it works out for you. For me it looks like more than I want to be concerned with.

[@cyndifoore7743]

That’s a nice addition, good if you want to sit outside and be out of the sun. I like the extra material for skirting around the camper to keep bugs out. Nice demo Ray. Thanks.

[@janebray9392]

I like your idea of water tubes holding it down, and using the water when boondocking...I was thinking like they do for solar showers, 4" or 6" pvc piping....

[@llspragulus]

Thanks for this video! I was always wondering about these awning rooms.

[@fordfan3179]

I litterely just put up a Solera sun screen. Single panel. It was awesome!

[@jimbertrand2499]

Very nice Ray. Will be interesting to see how durable it is. Also provides some security for your stuff.

[@danstatler2884]

Thanks for another great review and video. I ‘m looking forward to seeing how it holds up for you.

[@thomaslevy2119]

I installed a single, large shade cloth on the slide-out side of my 5th wheel. It shades the entire slide and takes some of the load off the AC. It is anchored by screw-type tent pegs and has survived 60 mph wind gusts without damage. The material does stretch some over time.

[@SN-qu2gz]

You are doing a great job Ray. Always love the gadgets. Thank you sir.

[@petercollins1516]

Cannot wait for your awning fabric replacement video. We have the same vintage of Keystone with the Dometic 9100 power awning. The cracks in the vinyl are starting to get bad near the top. Very interested to see how easy it is. There are a number of install videos for similar awnings but I could find one specific to the 9100. Thank you for your effort.

[@MstrLister]

Exactly how the front shade panel went for me... get about half way up and down the ladder and then ask the wife for help to finish in 30 seconds instead of 50 more trips up and down the ladder. I had to laugh when I saw you having the same issue and even thought how much faster you would be if Ann was home to help, good thing she was.

[@LoveYourRV]

*UPDATE* Just had a summer storm squall come in with gusts of over 25 MPH hitting the room from the side. It was enough to make me drop the screen room. Link to LCI Store for pricing and more information on the *Solera Screen Rooms* - www.loveyourrv.com/SoleraScreenRoom See All my LCI Product Installs and Reviews - www.loveyourrv.com/tag/LCI/

[@debmarie55]

It really gives a good bit of shade.

[@jameschism2459]

Great review...Thanks. Just need an outdoor rug for the covered area.

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

That's pretty nice, I also think you may be okay with it helping with winds from lifting your awning but we will see. If you go to a good hardware store they sell longer nails, I bought some 10 inch galvanized nails that I found in the nail section...these may work for you getting through the rock into soil. Thanks for your videos Ray

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, I'll try some longer nails. So far it seems to handle wind up to about 20 MPH but after that is feels like it may come apart. The big 19 foot front is like a sail. It lets air through but not a whole lot, lot of pressure builds. Good thing is the room can be dropped quickly. Cheers, Ray

[@crankybastid2197]

I bought a Clam quick set escape shelter. It's light, comes with a bag, takes less than 5 mins to set up/tear down alone, and is cheaper.

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

Nice review Ray. I looks like it would work out okay for your situation where you are stationary for months at a time, I don't think I would want to fool with it for a trip of less than a couple of weeks. I have one of the stand alone screen rooms that I can set up or take down in about 10 minutes that works for me.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, yes, good point.

[@exrhodie1234]

Looks like a nice product; interesting review, thanks.

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

I like it thats pretty easy to put up awesome video buddy 🛠🇨🇦🛠🇨🇦

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks 👍

[@janebray9392]

🇨🇦Happy 🇨🇦Canada🇨🇦Day❤

[@danallanson5990]

I was thinking about getting one of these. this past winter we used a 6 sided stand alone screen room for a table and storage of our E-bikes in the Q. did not work out so well. I used extra large pins, rocks and 6 blue water jugs. Darn thing got shredded in a windstorm in the Q. Did not last 2 months in the desert. I really would like to see how this thing holds up.

[@LoveYourRV]

Hey Dan, had a summer storm squall come in with gusts of over 25 MPH hitting the room from the side. It was enough to make me drop the screen room.

[@danallanson5990]

@@LoveYourRV Thanks for letting me know. A tip for you: To keep my awning from parachuting (I have a heavy powered Eclipse one) I put bungee cords to my awning, and instead of useless spikes, I attach the other end of the bungees to a 20l blue water jug - same as yours (Can Tire), one at each end. have not had an issue. I was also thinking about using some sort of aluminum temp poles or PVC pipe at the corners.

[@kimgoodwin5653]

Nice video on the install Ray. I'm interested to know the weight of the product as it is stored in the bag as well as perhaps seeing how well it all goes back into the bag now that it's out. You know how that goes sometimes lol. Maybe you could add that on your review video.

[@LoveYourRV]

Will do

[@LoveYourRV]

Weighed in at around 24 lbs and I got it to go back into the bag. A little bit of wrangling was needed but not too bad.

[@kimgoodwin5653]

@@LoveYourRV that's not bad at all. Thanks!

[@itchntohitch4143]

Thank you for all of your efforts! We have a Cougar much like yours (2011-280BHS). We have always had to manage our awning during even slightly windy days. We cannot leave camp, or turn in for the night with it out. Is that your experience, and does this Solera enclosure strengthen up the awning at all? By the way, we just replaced our awning using your KZbin tutorial. Thanks Ray!👌

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome. :) Here was my update after 2 months kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIuygYKBq6h8kNk and after a bit longer with it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGWXZXeXaZqDnpY Cheers, Ray

[@davem6801]

Hello Ray. After watching all of your videos I believe you are a man of high integrity. Just curious how you balance your roll as an "ambassador" and providing an honest review when you find things you really don't like about a product. To an extreme, what about a product that you normally wouldn't recommend but it comes from the company that "employs" you as an ambassador?

[@nbhybrid206]

I didn’t think he would like this product It looks unfit untidy and it is very expensive He said he will be getting more free stuff from lippert so it is interesting if a negative review on a product like this would stop the flow of “free” product The profit margin on one of these screen houses must be large for lippert

[@LoveYourRV]

Hello Dave, I'm not employed by them. Other than getting the review samples for free I'm receiving nothing else. When they approached me they told me they were looking for my style of honest reviews and feedback on the products from my audience. I've had good luck with my previous Lippert products, Waste Master Sewer Hose, Trail Air pin box and equalizers, Elephant Feet jack pads and 360 Siphon Vents. All are still working well on the RV. So given that track record I decided to give some of the other products a try. I also plan to install and use all the products I've selected to review so will have some long term real life RVer reviews to them. Cheers, Ray

[@LoveYourRV]

So far I like the product but I'm reserving my review until I've used it for a few months and see if the thing holds up, this was just the install and initial look at it. I like to use the products like this I review and see what defects and annoyances crop up and if the hardware lasts. I also like to get my wife's opinion over time, some stuff I love and she hates. :) My main concern with this particular product is the plastic zippers and what happens with a good-sized wind load. The actual mesh material I have hopes for as its the same as the vinyl stuff I have for my window shades and its a few years old now and no issues, look as good as the day I installed them. Stay tuned. Lippert has actually already sent me the products I selected to do reviews on, so pretty hard for them to stop the flow now. ;) Not that I would care, I have lots of companies offering me stuff to review, I pick and choose what interests me.

[@davem6801]

@@LoveYourRV Ray I used the word "employs" and it probably doesn't fit the situation exactly. Substitute "uses". But that isn't really the reason for my question. What is the difference between getting product for free to do a review and being an "Ambassador"? Also, to be clear, I don't have a problem with you getting products for free to review. I love your honest reviews. I am just curious what happens to your Ambassador roll if you give a negative review? Are you prohibited from giving a negative review?

[@LoveYourRV]

It's their word, "Brand Ambassador" sort of a corporate marketing thing I imagine, other than just saying product tester, installer, and reviewer guy :) If I give a negative review then I would expect they would like to know what was so wrong with the product and attempt to correct the issue or maybe remove the product form their store. I think they also want to have some helpful install videos to share, seems like a cheap way to get them versus paying people. I believe that is what they are after rather than a typical corporate infomercial clip which they probably find don't work these days. People get their info off KZbin and from video creators they have grown to trust. I value that trust so not looking to blow years of work for a few free items now. No, I'm not prohibited from giving a negative review at all, they are looking for honest opinions from real-life RVers. Not only do they value my opinion I also know they value my video comment section for feedback. This was is one of the rules they gave me: "Content Guidelines. All content Brand Ambassador creates must reflect his or her honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences with the Products and any products mentioned in the content." So, if I'm honest I'm adhering to their wishes, then no worries, that's one of the reasons I decided to accept reviewing a bunch of the products. Other than that I had a scan of the stuff on the LCI store and though it's not cheap it all looks pretty good quality. Cheers, Ray

[@OurPOVThatsItThatsAll]

I'm curious about temps. Did you notice it to be cooler by much if at all?

[@LoveYourRV]

So far it seems a little cooler. But hard to tell so far, it hasn't been too hot around here lately. Its the same material as my window shade and they block heat quite well. www.loveyourrv.com/ez-snap-exterior-rv-window-shade-review-demo/

[@OurPOVThatsItThatsAll]

@@LoveYourRV thanks so much.

[@kevinsmith6978]

Hi Ray, you're a great ambassador as I trust your fact-filled reviews. I've just ordered the Solera screen room to install on our Dometic 9100E awning - will the slide-in top roll-up in the awning or does it need to be removed? Seems a lot to encase in the armor.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks Kevin, let me know how it works out for you. Good thought on the roll up, that's one thing I haven't tried. It looks like it should, I giver a try, but I don't have the armor

[@LoveYourRV]

I tried rolling it up and the extra slide in material seemed to have very little effect, but I don't have the armor case.

[@kevinsmith6978]

Thanks again for the replies, I'll let you know how it works with the awning armor wraparound.

[@johnblanton2326]

How about swimming pool cover water bags to hold it down? Then when you pack up you can drain them and you will not have to carry the sand around.

[@sgtwhiptail]

Could you slide in the top panel starting with the other end so your doors line up? If you're only using it for shade, and not using the ends, you could use elastic cord and corkscrew tie outs to secure the main panel.

[@LoveYourRV]

I think you could, I'll have to give it a try

[@earlslater8301]

Did you ever find an installation manual? Seems like a nice addition for those hot days in the desert.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yeah, I found this one online to work off. Didn't look exactly like the screen room I got but had basically the same setup. lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/manuals/awnings/ccd_0001256.pdf

[@metaxaanabeer]

Does the time for take down/set up allow you to travel with it or is it more for when you are parked somewhere like you are?

[@LoveYourRV]

I think if somewhere for a day or two I doubt I'd bother but for a week or two, it would be worth it, I think.

[@PentaxLife]

Looks good

[@torq21]

I wonder how it changes how wind will affect the awning. Its the worst having to frequently take down sun screens lights and whatnot attached to an awning.

[@LoveYourRV]

We get quite a bit of wind here on the ocean spit so should a good test for it.

[@ScotWalt858]

Very nice!

[@dokmanian]

hey Ray the part you slide in awning does that just roll up with awning or do you have to take it out

[@LoveYourRV]

I assumed it would but forgot try It, will do and report back

[@LoveYourRV]

Tried it and it rolled right up

[@dokmanian]

thank you

[@timf6916]

Nice, we have one but it doesn’t have ends on it

[@tomhart7308]

Ray. What do you do it wind come up ?

[@LoveYourRV]

Got to test that. We had a storm blow in the other afternoon, winds kicked up to about 25 MPH hitting the room sort of side on. I just had to unzip the front and sides and unclip the top anchor straps and then roll the awing up, only took a minute.

[@Regorybles]

Doesn’t look like it seals up in the corners too well - whole th8ng might end up providing a nice shaded place for bugs to congregate out of the wind in there...

[@LoveYourRV]

Yeah, I have added that to my review cons list. I can see the sidewall tops being a problem area letting in bugs. They maybe should have included a Velcro attached screen or something.

[@medicineshoppe169]

Hey Ray, what do you estimate your total install time to be?

[@LoveYourRV]

Took me a few hours as it didn't come with instructions and I had to research online a bit to find some that were not exact but close. The side panels confused me a little due to the awning angle and how the extra material needed to be deal with. Now that I know exactly what to do I could probably install one in about 1/2 or so. :) Now that the the anchors are in place I can deploy the room in about 15 minutes.

[@chuckchase8432]

I made the same 5:44 mistake! Getting old sucks(sometimes).

[@LoveYourRV]

I actually did it twice. haha Did the same thing for the other one. Brain cramps. Lucky butyl tape easily peels off. :)

[@fishdog61]

Hi Ray, is there by chance you have a discount code?

[@LoveYourRV]

So far they haven't given any discount codes

[@fishdog61]

Love Your RV thanks Ray

[@rickdees251]

Every week the RV gets heavier and heavier. Must be about 20,000 kilo's about now. Time to review putting helium in the RV's tires to lighten the load.

[@LoveYourRV]

Ah, but you forget I added a new Ram 3500 diesel truck in 2018 that has tons of extra capacity, 4000 lbs payload, heavy items have been shifted to the truck versus the trailer. plus the light weight lithium batteries versus old lead acid bank, I'd hazard to guess my trailer payload has actually decrease over the last few years. ;O)

[@rickdees251]

@@LoveYourRV Ah yes! My bad. ;-)

[@lukeskywalker3891]

Looks good and is a nice one, but the idea of drilling in my brand new rv... really turns me off

[@LoveYourRV]

I understand. :) We are at year 9 so long ago lost that fear. :) Think about all the holes the OEM had=ve already made. Cheers, Ray

[@dkh1020]

So, what you do when a sudden windstorm blows up?

[@LoveYourRV]

Undo two side wall awing roller strap clips and unzip the front panel, then hit the power awing retract button.

[@dkh1020]

@@LoveYourRV Got it. Thanks

[@jet0577]

Where is that campsite?!

[@LoveYourRV]

Campbell River, British Columbia on Vancouver Island - thunderbirdrvpark.com/

[@terryhaynes1596]

This would only be practical if you were staying put for an extended period of time. Seems like more of a pain to me. Like you said, if a TStorm comes up you need to take this down. Bad news if you were away and you had the screen room and awning destroyed. Plus it is just another thing to put up, take down and store. I don't think I would purchase this. But then different strokes for different folks. Thanks for the review. It is helpful, I now know I'm not interested.

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome, I agree, its should be good for us as we stay 4-5 months each summer in one spot. For travel I'll likely carry it around but may only use the front panel if required to make some shade. Cheers, Ray

[@bendixon2898]

300 mil long bugle coated landscaping screws instead of pegs will sort it out

[@jameshodgins1937]

Ray, how long did that take you to install the sun room?

[@LoveYourRV]

Took me a few hours as it didn't come with instructions and I had to research online a bit to find some that were not exact but close. The side panels confused me a little due to the awning angle and how the extra material needed to be deal with. Now that I know exactly what to do I could probably install a second one in about 1/2 or so. :)

[@commonsense2469]

No instructions included?! That’s one thing you will need to tell them they need to change.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, that was weird. Even the online one I could find was for a awning room, not exactly the same but close enough to figure out.

[@migmigjohnson6083]

I got the family room version for nearly $900. It's really nice on the photo, but the fact they didn't include instructions, no uTube guide to connect that version either and I can't make heads or tails out of the main flap, which has no way of connecting to my lippert awning. This means I'm getting to try Amazon's return policy because a bonehead oversight like this one from them means they don't deserve my business.

[@LoveYourRV]

Here is the manual lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/manuals/awnings/ccd_0001256.pdf

[@everyonelovesfriday2045]

I’m learning to loathe LCI quality!! They make so many products under different names when your realize it you’re like “oh that’s why this is garbage”

[@LoveYourRV]

Seems like they like to buy existing RV product companies. I see they recently acquired Curt. So far I've had good luck with the Air Ride pin box, Waste Master Sewer Hose, Elephant Feet Jack pads and 360 Siphon waste tank vents. Been using them for years. What products have you had problems with?

[@nbhybrid206]

Got to say it wouldn’t be for me Looks to trashy imo A separate screen house looks much neater,more secure in bad weather and wayyyyy cheaper

[@LoveYourRV]

I'd say the flat top awnings would look better versus the slanted. There is a compromise to having a universal fit for sure versus custom. Plus dealing with the sloped RV site made for a challenge to get things to line up. I think once I get the brand new brownish colored awning material installed it will look better. Funny thing, my OEM awing seen here was brown to begin with now over 9 years of sun its turned green. Cheers, Ray

[@danallanson5990]

My separate (Coleman) screen house lasted about 3 weeks in the wind at Quartzsite. Got a nasty bruise from the fibreglass bows when one snapped as I was trying to take it down in the wind - 6 inch bruise!

[@ronpearson1790]

Nice but pricey! 20 ft. $1100 Canadian!

[@LoveYourRV]

Yeah, our dollar is terrible these days, I remember back in 2011 it was actually worth more that the US.

[@88corinutza]

does anyone make one with a sealed floor so you would have a TRUE add on room ? this looks kinda cheap lol

[@LoveYourRV]

Not that I know of. Most campsites are on dirt, grass or gravel and not always too level.

[@lisawinkelmann6596]

We got the family room too we have 14' wide awning which when you buy the 14 ' room it's actually only 13' Luckily we are in same town as LCI and could exchange for 15 foot. Not impressed with the online instruction/installation, as there is nothing connecting top of side pieces to awning. Nice gap!! This should have been part of you installation video. You completely skipped this.

[@LoveYourRV]

I address that in the update video after using the awning room a while. I had a few other cons as well. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIuygYKBq6h8kNk

[@kevinsteele8447]

Noice

[@mjm3852]

Handy sun screen but RV accessories are so pricy.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yeah, seems like a lot for some. I wonder if it has to do with the material costs. Looks like the same type vinyl looking mesh stuff that is used for my EZ Snap window shades and they aren't cheap either.

[@mjm3852]

@@LoveYourRV I guess RV stuff is kind of a niche market and people will buy "stuff"

[@jeffrussum9697]

Lippert double bike rack is two thumbs down 👎 the rack closest to the trailer is very very difficult on and off , then to service your lp tanks you disassemble the rack I work at work not camping

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for the review, I don't have a TT or bikes so can't comment. But, this summer I asked a guy camped next to us who had the Jack-It store.lci1.com/jack-it-double-bike-carrier-system-429756.html how he liked it and he had positive things to say. But for me it looked a little bit like it would wiggle around a lot during travel and be hard to load the bikes. Cheers, Ray

[@davidmcconnell8690]

:-)))) :-))))

[@TheRasta4ri]

drill into rig nO0

[@LoveYourRV]

You know the manufacture drilled all kinds of holes into it already. A few more won't hurt anything. :)