Awning Care
As you kick back, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors with your RV, the awning is the one thing protecting you from those harmful UV rays. There are many models that come with an extendable awning so you have some shade and protection from passing rain showers. Once you become a seasoned RV owner, it can be easy to take your awning for granted. You’ll want to take proper care of your awning as the years roll by, because it’s just as important as taking care of the rest of your vehicle.
We’ve got plenty of awning care tips to share, so we gathered them below. If you have questions or you’re looking to invest in the perfect travel trailer, be sure to visit us at Howdy Ranch RV! We’re conveniently located near Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas and proudly serve Rockport, Laredo, and Victoria.
Understand Your Awning
Before you start, be sure you understand what you’re working with. Different types of awnings call for different types of care. First, find out what your awning is made out of. In most cases, awnings are composed of either vinyl or acrylic material. When it comes to acrylic awnings, they’re made of a petroleum-based product that is resistant to both mildew and water. When exposed to flame or heat, it melts. You can think of acrylic as a really thick tent-like fabric.
Vinyl awnings, on the other hand, are often covered in an anti-fungal coating to make them resistant to mildew. Due to these protective coatings, you’ll need to keep avoid scrubbing too aggressively in one particular area. This is also important to prevent it from wearing down too quickly. Be sure to use a gentle soap to clean your awning so you can avoid stripping of these protective coats. You should always avoid petroleum-based soaps and cleaners.
Avoid Major Issues
For the most part, your awning care will be preventative, starting by decreasing the risk of mildew. Mildew is similar to mold in that it needs a wet, dark, enclosed space to breed. If you tend to roll up your awning when it's still wet and leave it for a while, you’re actually creating the perfect environment for mildew to grow. While mildew typically isn’t dangerous in the way that mold is, it certainly doesn’t smell pleasant. Make sure your awning is always as dry as possible when you roll it up to avoid this stink. If you’re already noticing mildew issues, seek out special commercial cleaners that’ll help reverse this.
The next order of business is dealing with UV rays. Your awning might be great at protecting you from these harmful rays, but don’t forget that it’s enduring all of that heat in the process. The longer you leave your awning unfurled and exposed to direct sunlight, the more the material will weaken and risk developing a tear. Believe it or not, a small tear can grow into a big one rather quickly. Be on the lookout for high wind warnings as an extended awning can be damaged in this type of weather. As long as you take the proper steps to avoid these potential issues, your awning should remain in good shape.
Handle Repair and Replacement
Sometimes, you simply can’t escape the need for a repair or replacement parts when it comes to your awning. As with all major investments, there’s no avoiding basic wear and tear regardless of how careful you might be. While you may feel capable of repairing or replacing a part on your own, we encourage you to seek professional assistance. The inner workings of an awning can be extremely intricate, so best to leave it to a pro. Some models utilize spring-loaded opening assistance features, which can get complicated. Unless you're highly experienced, you could break your awning in a way that could damage your RV.
Fortunately, we offer a full parts and service department right here at Howdy Ranch RV! Stop by our dealership today to check out all we have to offer, including a huge inventory of travel trailers. You’ll find us near Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas and proudly serving Rockport, Laredo, and Victoria. For your convenience, we also offer an RV park on site.