Hi Volks,

I have owned a couple of A&E awnings.

The advantages I have found are:

De-mountable (you can take it off)
Waterproof
Opaque
Quick setup
Adjustable height and outreach
Definitely marks you as an RV-er

Disadvantages

Heavy
Poor design of the 'docking' mechanism
Susceptible to grit and sand in the support mechanisms
Definitely marks you as an RV-er

Now the testimonial:

Dateline Canyonlands NP

Location  Potato Bottom wilderness camp, white rim trail.

The evening glow on the cliffs was pastel-perfect.  The dutch oven dinner
(bird in a bucket, bag salat, KJ Reserve) had been scrumptious.  The bikies
had sat around the campfire until the heavens were full of diamonds and just
before turning in the otherwise almost still air started to rustle the
cottonwoods.   In five minutes we had in excess of 40MPH gusts.  The awning
was flipped over the top of Fordzilla (460cid Quadravan) and the supports
were bent beyond repair while the victims were chasing tents, bags, bicycles
and so on.  Field repairs were impossible, the awning was partially
disassembled using a drill to remove rivets, stowed, and repaired in
California after the trip.

Yes the awning was staked and tied.  You must remember however that it is a
10' by 8' sail and that anything over say 15mph winds will present a hazard.

Sails have no idea of what kind of boat they are attached to...

cheers,

pensioner