RV awnings are a must-have accessory RVers have been using for decades. They provide a shaded oasis when the sun’s sweltering presence is too overwhelming to bear. They also help expand your living space at the campsite, allowing you to create a comfortable outdoor area to blissfully lounge around in after spending a lengthy time on the road.

Because awnings are such a treasured travel accessory, it’s natural to want to maintain them for as long as possible. If you want to avoid and delay the need to replace your RV awning, conducting regular maintenance will help you extend the life of it so that you can use it for many journeys down the road.

RV awning maintenance isn’t the most talked about subject in the industry, so if you want to best care for your awning but aren’t sure where to begin, you’re far from alone. To get you headed in the right direction, the following tips should help you understand the basics of caring for your shade canopy:

Keep Your RV Awning Clean, Lubricated, and Rust-Free

Your awning is located on the exterior of your RV, which means it’s regularly exposed to dirt and debris. If the dirt continues to build up, it will start to get lodged into the fabric. This can weaken the fabric, and it will also make cleaning your awning much more difficult.

Generally speaking, if you hose your awning off every month or so, you should be in good shape, as thorough cleanings are generally only required every two or three years.

When it is time to deep clean, there are a few important points to keep in mind:

• Understand the difference between vinyl and acrylic fabric. The cleaning methods will vary a bit depending on what type of rv awning fabric you have. Acrylic fabric is made from woven, breathable fabric and is designed to dry quickly. This type of fabric tends to be water-resistant but not waterproof. Vinyl awnings are made from a malleable plastic and are generally waterproof, though mildew can still form in hot, humid climates. These also tend to be easier to clean.
• Never use abrasive detergents or oil-based cleansers. These can damage the fabric. Instead, create a solution made out of water and mild dish soap. There are also special cleansers specifically designed for RV awnings, though it’s important to always make sure the cleanser will be compatible with your specific type of fabric/awning model.
• Wipe off any unconstrained dirt, hose the awning down, and apply the cleaning solution. Let it sit for about ten minutes.
• You can use a brush to clean the awning thoroughly, but it’s important to be careful with the type of brush you use. For acrylic fabric, you can use a stiff brush, and with vinyl, it’s best to use a softer brush.
• Rinse the soap off thoroughly with a hose, and allow your awning to air dry. Regardless of the type of fabric you have, it’s important to never apply heat.
• Roll up your awning only after it’s completely dry. Remember, you never want to roll your awning up while it’s still wet, as doing so increases the likelihood of mold or mildew forming. If there is ever a time when you absolutely have to roll up your awning while it’s damp (e.g, you have to drive your RV and don’t have time to let it air dry), unroll it as soon as you can and allow it to fully dry before putting it away.

The canopy isn’t the only part of your RV awning that needs to be maintained. It’s also important to pay attention to the hardware. If the mechanical parts aren’t well lubricated, they can lose their flexibility and won’t be able to slide or move easily.

Spraying a dry silicone spray on the mechanical parts of your awning will help them work as intended, and it will also help reduce the likelihood of rust occurring. However, spray only a modest amount, as too much will cause residue buildup.

Lock Your Awning In Place Before Traveling

This is a simple tip, but it’s an important one to emphasize. Always, always, always double check that your RV awning is fully secure before traveling, and use travel locks if possible.

If you don’t properly lock your awning into place before hitting the road, there is a possibility that your awning would open as you are driving. Your awning could tear off of your RV, which would be destructive to your RV as well as pose real danger to yourself and others on the road.

The risk is never worth it; always double check!

Beware of the Elements

Your RV awning is designed to be outside, and therefore, it can withstand mild exposure to the elements. Light winds and gentle rain drops are fine, but as with most things in life, extremes are where the problems lie.

Always keep tabs on the upcoming weather reports, and if significant storms or winds are coming your way, the best thing to do is to put your awning away until they pass.

Installing canopy clamps can assist your awning in holding up better in the face of wind, but when gusts of wind are excessively forceful, they can rip your awning right off of the track. At the least, you’re left without an awning, and at the worst, this could cause injury to you and anyone else in the area.

Heavy rain is also an issue. If water begins to pool in the canopy, the weight can cause the fabric to sag and stretch, and if it continues to build up, the heaviness can ruin the structural integrity of the hardware as well.

While the best thing to do is to retract your awning before water begins collecting in the canopy, you can mitigate the risk of damage by adjusting the arms and canopy in a way that tilts, allowing the rain to run off (some awnings will automatically dump moisture pools).

Remember, water can lead to mold and mildew, so if you do retract a damp awning, open it up as soon as possible and let it air dry.  

Protect Your Shade!

The first place you should always look for RV awning maintenance advice is through your owner’s manual, as that advice is geared to your specific product. That being said, these general guidelines should outline the basics of caring for your RV awning. If you can dedicate yourself to keeping up with the routine maintenance needs, your awning should continue to keep you shaded and comfortable throughout countless adventures on the road.