Loyal and hardworking, yet often underrated, the awning of your RV requires maintenance just like any other part of your camper. To help yours stay in good working condition and live a long life of providing shade and comfort, we’ve assembled a short guide on best cleaning and maintenance practices. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying many years of sunny days.
Common RV Awning Issues & Best Fixes
Let’s start by identifying some of the most common issues you may experience with your RV awning and what their recommended fixes are. This way, you have a better idea of what to look for, as well as what types of products and tools you may want to keep on hand.
Common issues that plague RV awnings include:
Sun Damage
If your awning fabric has faded due to sun damage, then you have more than just discoloration to worry about. The material itself can become brittle enough to crack or tear. While built to be UV-resistant, even an RV awning is susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun. (Let that serve as a reminder to wear sunscreen!) Just like repeated sunburn can do a number on your skin, UV damage negatively impacts the structural integrity of your RV awning.
Best Fix. Begin to treat your sun-damaged awning by sweeping off any debris and then washing it down with a mild soap or cleaning solution. Regularly cleaning your RV awning, particularly with products that include UV inhibitors, will keep it in tip-top shape and prevent further fading. Check out brands StarBrite and Thetford right here on Parts Via for high-quality awning cleaners and protectants.
If you want something to actively block out the UV rays – and ward off water damage – then consider adding an awning guard or shield like Heng’s Industries STICKNBOND. Installing via a simple peel-and-stick method, this sealant tape adheres to your awning and provides years of all-weather protection. The one-piece design works on all awnings up to 21 feet, and takes just a few hours to apply.
Fungus, Mold & Mildew
Heat and water can create the perfect environment for surface mold to grow on your awning. Similarly, retracting an awning that’s still damp can create an ideal breeding ground for fungus and mildew.
Best Fix. Start by using a mixture of white vinegar and water to scrub down your camper awning. This should kill most of the mildew and most of the mold species. Make sure to cover your whole awning.
If the mold is too strong for white vinegar or unsightly stains remain, then you can move onto a bleach mixture -- but take a few precautions. First, DO NOT MIX the vinegar and bleach. This can create toxic chlorine gas. Thoroughly rinse off the vinegar mixture and thoroughly rinse out your bucket and any cleaning tools before moving onto a bleach solution. Second, you must dilute the bleach or you risk further damage to your awning.
To create an effective awning cleaner, use a ratio of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Spot test a small discreet section of the awning using a spray bottle, and see how the fabric reacts. If all is well, continue spraying the rest of the awning, letting the mixture sit for no more than 10 minutes, and then begin scrubbing. Remember to rinse as you go, to prevent bleach damage. Adding a little dish soap can help loosen and lift any additional stubborn stains.
Don’t trust DIY cleaners? Parts Via offers multiple RV awning cleaners from trusted brands like Thetford, Dicor, Camco, Valterra, 303 Products and more.
Rips or Tears
Debris, low-hanging tree limbs, and hail can put significant stress on your awning, leading to rips or tears. Similarly, the UV damage and mold issues listed above can wear down the fabric until it begins to fall apart. Regular cleaning and proper storage are the easiest way to prevent this from happening, but sometimes damage is inevitable.
Best Fix. While large or extensive awning damage will likely require professional repair or replacement, minor rips and tears can usually be handled quite easily using RV awning repair tape or a patch kit.
Begin by thoroughly cleaning the awning and then rubbing down the repair area with rubbing alcohol, letting it dry completely. This ensures you have an ideal surface for adhesion. If you’re using a patch kit, cut a piece of repair fabric that's slightly larger than the damaged area. Carefully place it over the rip or tear, ensuring it covers the whole area and apply firm, even pressure to ensure good bonding. Trim any excess patching material and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for curing times.
If you’re using repair tape, the process is pretty much the same. Just be sure to trim any threads on the awning first and take care to smooth out air bubbles or wrinkles during application.
Operational Issues
Outside environmental influences like rain and snow, high winds, birds, squirrels, even insects can all take a toll on your RV awning. Sudden gusts of wind can lift an awning so swiftly that awning arms or other components become loose, misaligned, or significantly damaged. In some rare instances, an entire RV can be lifted by high winds catching an open awning just right!
Additionally, if your awning has moving parts, like motors, arms, or hinges, they can grow rusty over time or just begin to wear out due to continual use.
Best Fix. Most environmental issues can easily be solved by simply retracting your awning when not in use. This way, high winds have nothing to catch hold of and heavy snow can’t pile up on top. (Some people install an anemometer, which will automatically retract your awning in the case of high winds – fancy!) Just be sure the awning is clean and dry, otherwise you risk mold growing.
If insects or animals are nesting in your awning, then it probably means you’ve left it sitting open too long. Remove any animals or insects (safely), give the awning a good cleaning, and then retract it.
As for parts maintenance, some simple and periodic lubrication according to the manufacturer's recommendations is the best fix. This will ensure smooth operation and prevent rust or corrosion from forming.
RV Awning Cleaning & Maintenance Tips
Replacement. If your awning issue is too far gone for any of the above remedies, then it may be time to invest in a replacement. Rather than replace the whole awning, you can start by replacing the awning fabric. If that won’t solve the problem you can also purchase various awning replacement parts from Parts Via.
Rinsing. While it might be tempting to take the pressure washer and spray down your entire awning to save time and effort: slow your roll. Awnings are easily damaged and a pressure washer can quickly apply too much force. It can cause a weakening in the fabric, removal of protective UV and mold/mildew resistant coatings, and in some cases where the awning is already weak, it can cause it to rip or tear. Start your rinsing efforts with a garden hose.
Prevention. Here are some proactive steps you can take if your RV awning is new, to help prevent any of the above from becoming an issue:
- Treat the awning with UV/water/weather/mold resistant protectants and sprays
- Clean with a mild soap and water at least twice a year
- Ensure the awning is completely dry before retracting or storing for longer periods of time
- Inspect regularly for wear and tear
A Note On Fabric
The above issues and fixes are intended mostly for vinyl RV awnings, but much of the advice applies to acrylic RV awnings as well.
Vinyl awnings are waterproof (making them great for rainier areas), but they are more susceptible to developing mold and mildew if poorly maintained. Make sure yours is completely dry before retracting or storing it and you’ll be set for a long time. Vinyl awnings are very durable and more tear-resistant than acrylic options.
Acrylic awnings are made of a woven, light, and breathable fabric that allows air to circulate, making them an ideal choice in warmer climates. While they repel water, heavy rainfall can still soak through, but they work well in breezy environments and dry quickly. They are easily maintained and hold their color well. As they are not entirely waterproof, they do need regular cleaning.
Ultimately a well-maintained RV awning is worth the effort. A too hot or rainy day may seem like a sentence to remain inside the camper all day, but with an RV awning, sitting out and enjoying the day in inclement weather is possible. That’s why it’s important to care for your awning to ensure its functionality and longevity -- not to mention keep it looking good!