Carefree RV Awnings: Who Makes Them, Product Families and Warranty

Carefree RV awnings are made by Carefree of Colorado, a manufacturer in Broomfield, Colorado, that has specialized in recreational vehicle awnings since 1971. The company was bought by the Scott Fetzer Company in the 1970s, became part of Berkshire Hathaway when Berkshire acquired Scott Fetzer in 1986, and now operates as part of Marmon Holdings, another Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, after Marmon took over the Scott Fetzer businesses. Carefree is one of the three big names in US RV awnings alongside Dometic and Lippert's Solera line, and its products are fitted at the factory by many RV builders and sold as replacements through RV dealers and parts retailers.

This profile explains Carefree's product families in general terms, how to identify which one is on your rig, how parts and warranty work, and when to choose Carefree or something else. It is a factual brand profile, not a review. For RV awning basics, start with the RV awnings guide.

Company background

• Founded: 1971. The company credits itself with introducing an automatic roll-up RV awning at its founding.
• Headquarters and manufacturing: Broomfield, Colorado, in the Denver metro area.
• Ownership: part of Marmon Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway company. It was previously a Scott Fetzer company, which is why older manuals and warranty documents mention Scott Fetzer.
• Markets: mainly RVs (motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, folding campers and camper vans), with some home shade products.
• Sales channels: original equipment on new RVs, plus aftermarket sales through RV dealers, service centers and parts retailers. Independent online retailers that sell Carefree parts are not the manufacturer, which matters when you need warranty help.

Product families in general terms

Carefree's catalog is broad, and model names change over the years. The categories below cover what most owners will encounter. Confirm details with the owner's manual or a Carefree dealer before ordering parts.

A few design features distinguish some Carefree models. The Eclipse uses scissor-style arms with no vertical supports to the ground, which keeps the area under the awning clear. The Altitude offers adjustable pitch, with several settings from nearly flat to a steeper angle for shedding rain. Carefree also offers aluminum or vinyl weatherguards (sold under names such as Uniguard, Alumaguard and FLXguard) that cover the rolled fabric when closed.

Power awning electronics and wind response

Most Carefree power awnings run on the coach's 12V system, and some use 110V. Carefree offers control electronics, sold under the Direct Response Electronics name, that can retract the awning automatically when the arm-mounted motion sensor detects wind movement above a set threshold, plus optional remote control. Two practical points follow:

• Auto-retract depends on power. If the battery is low or the disconnect switch is off, the awning cannot retract itself. Keep the house battery charged when you leave an awning out.
• Auto-retract is a backup, not a license. A motion sensor reacts to gusts that are already moving the awning. Retract before storms and when you leave the site, as explained in RV awning care and wind safety.

If a Carefree power awning stops responding, the usual suspects are battery voltage, a tripped fuse or breaker, the control board, the switch and the motor itself, roughly in that order. The diagnosis sequence is covered in RV awning motor problems and, for an awning stuck open, RV awning won't retract.

How to identify your Carefree awning

1. Find the label. Carefree units usually carry an identification label on the roller tube end cap, the arm or the inside of the case. Record the model and serial or part number.
2. Check the owner's manual. The RV's document packet often includes the awning manual, which names the family (for example Eclipse or Travel'r).
3. Note the arm style. Vertical arms down to the sidewall, lateral arms folding against the coach, or scissor arms each point to different families.
4. Measure correctly. RV awning sizes usually refer to the distance between arm centers, not fabric width. The full method is in RV awning fabric replacement.
5. Photograph the end caps and motor end. Parts counters can often identify a family from photos when labels are faded.

Worked example: re-cover or replace a damaged power awning

Warranty and parts

Carefree publishes a one-year limited warranty for aftermarket purchases that covers parts, labor and standard freight for hardware, fabric and electronics. The warranty is not transferable, it runs from the original purchase date, and it is not extended by time out of service. On a new RV, the RV builder may provide coverage beyond one year, so for claims after the first year Carefree directs owners to the RV manufacturer. Check the current written terms on Carefree's website before relying on this summary.

Practical implications:

• Keep your purchase invoice; the purchase date controls coverage.
• For a new RV, read the RV builder's warranty, which may be more important than Carefree's.
• Use a Carefree dealer or service center for warranty work so the claim is documented properly.
• Wind damage, improper use and lack of maintenance are typical exclusions for any RV awning.

Genuine Carefree parts, including arms, end caps, motors, electronics and fabric, are widely stocked by RV dealers and parts retailers. Universal replacement fabrics from other makers fit some Carefree models, but fit depends on the family, so confirm before ordering. Owners whose awnings droop or close crookedly can often fix them with adjustment rather than parts; see RV awning adjustment.

Who Carefree suits and who should look elsewhere

A good fit if your RV already has a Carefree awning (matching the brand usually lets you reuse rails, brackets and wiring), you want factory wind-response electronics, or you need a compact awning for a van or truck camper, where Carefree's Freedom and Freestyle families are common choices.

Look elsewhere or compare if your rig came with Dometic or Solera hardware, since switching brands usually means new brackets, a different arm footprint and new wiring. In that case staying with the original brand is often simpler. Owners deciding whether to upgrade from manual to power should read power vs. manual RV awnings first. If you are shading a house rather than an RV, residential brands work differently; RV vs. residential awnings explains why.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Carefree of Colorado?

Carefree of Colorado is part of Marmon Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway company. It was owned for decades by the Scott Fetzer Company, which Berkshire Hathaway acquired in 1986, and the Scott Fetzer businesses later moved under Marmon. That is why older Carefree manuals and warranty documents mention Scott Fetzer. The company remains headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado.

What warranty comes with a Carefree RV awning?

Carefree publishes a one-year limited warranty on aftermarket purchases, covering parts, labor and standard freight for hardware, fabric and electronics. It is not transferable and runs from the original purchase date. On a new RV, the RV manufacturer may offer longer coverage, and Carefree refers claims after the first year to the RV maker. Always check current written terms.

Can I put a Carefree awning on an RV that has a Dometic awning?

Usually yes, but it is rarely a simple swap. Arm mounting points, rail and bracket positions, and power awning wiring often differ, so expect new brackets, possible new holes in the sidewall and wiring changes. Sealing every new hole properly is essential. Matching the existing brand is generally faster and cheaper unless you want a specific feature.

Does Carefree make awnings that retract automatically in wind?

Carefree offers control electronics that can retract many of its power awnings automatically when a motion sensor detects wind movement above a set level. It works only when the awning has 12V power, and it reacts to gusts already moving the awning. Treat it as a backup and retract the awning before storms or when you leave the campsite.

Where do I buy Carefree replacement parts?

RV dealers, service centers and RV parts retailers stock Carefree arms, motors, end caps, electronics and fabric. Some online sellers specialize in Carefree parts but are independent of the manufacturer. Have your model and serial number ready, measure between arm centers for fabric, and confirm the exact family before ordering, since parts are rarely interchangeable across families.

Sources and further reading

• Carefree of Colorado: RV awnings product pages and owner's and service manuals (Eclipse, Altitude, Travel'r, Freedom)
• Carefree of Colorado: Customer Care, Warranty
• Wikipedia: Scott Fetzer Company (corporate history and Berkshire Hathaway ownership)
• RV Industry Association (RVIA): RV owner resources