Repairing or Replacing a Damaged RV Awning: A Comprehensive Guide
Frequent road travelers know the importance of having a functional awning attached to their RV. Awnings, when unrolled, provide a shaded oasis from the sun’s blistering heat and a practical shelter from rainy or snowy conditions, not to mention creating an impromptu patio space when parked––literally, an outdoor extension that doubles the living space of your ride.
An unfurled awning that hovers atop a grouping of seats makes for an inviting front porch-like rest stop. And for RV travelers who thrive on meeting new people in new places, an awning is one of the simplest and most effective symbols of friendliness and camaraderie.
So, what happens when your RV awning needs a little TLC?
Awnings, like RV engines, often wear down over time. They are put through many of the harshest elements and weather types, not to mention frequent use, which alone can cause malfunctions and tears to the fabric. These various types of cosmetic and/or mechanical issues can completely ruin a trip. Holes are ugly; rips are unsightly; and broken arms can be dangerous.
If you happen to find yourself experiencing any of the above issues with your RV awning, you’ll want to come up with a quick-fix solution that sticks. Check out our handy guide below:
GETTING STARTED.
Identifying the Problem
When dealing with a damaged RV awning, it is important to first identify the problem before proceeding with a plan of action. After all, there are plenty of reasons why your awning might be looking a little worse for wear. Some common features you’ll find when dealing with awning repair include:
Holes, rips, and tears in the fabric
This is, by far, the most frequent issue of a damaged RV awning. And fortunately, it is also one of the simplest issues to fix. Regardless of use (although older awnings will naturally experience a greater amount of wear and tear), damage to fabric awnings can happen at any time, under any circumstance. Much like a crack in the windshield, no matter how responsibly you drive, you can still be completely caught off guard by a flying stone or other piece of errant debris while traveling along the road.
Depending on the size of the hole or rip, RV owners have options. Small tears can be repaired on the spot, usually with repair tape. However, larger damage spots may require complete replacement.
Dysfunctional mechanics or broken arms
Like any mechanical feature of your RV, after time, the awning arms, and/or the mechanisms that move the arms into place, will cease to function properly. If this is the case, you’ll likely want to replace the arms––unless you are supremely skilled at making mechanical repairs yourself.
Broken remote
If you’ve got an electrical awning that unfolds at the press of a button, and it just decides to stop working one day, you may have something more serious on your hands than a dead remote battery. A break in the wiring, a bad switch, or a bad awning motor may be the culprit.
Damaged bits
Those little hooks that keep your fabric awning in place can often warp, snap, or bend with time, resulting in a canopy that sags in the middle. A simple replacement or tweak to the existing rivets and brackets on your awning arms can do a world of good.
DIY: Minor RV Awning Repair
When dealing with a minor tear or rip in your RV awning fabric, there are moves you can take to repair them yourself provided you’ve got the expertise and tools available.
Minor tears can often be fixed with awning repair tape. These products are available from online retailers, and just about every local hardware store. Again, depending on the size of the damage, awning repair tape can be more than a temporary fix but a lasting, permanent solution. Most types of repair tape are transparent in color and reinforced to protect vinyl, canvas, and other types of durable fabric, providing a waterproof seal that goes on clear, so you don’t even notice it. An average roll of repair tape (39’ long) typically costs about $20.
Or you can pick up a tent repair kit: these often include strong adhesive patches that stick to a variety of different fabrics. Around the same price as repair tape, tent repair kits are also available at hardware or camping stores.
DIY: Major RV Awning Repair
For rips and tears larger than normal, you’ll want to consider something more sizeable than a routine patch job. This involves purchasing fabric in the same material, color, and design as your existing awning (unless you don’t care about color clashing)––your original RV retailer should be able to help with this, or you can try a fabric or hardware store.
Select the sizing you’ll need and cut the corresponding swatch of material with a pair of fabric scissors. Then, layer the fabric onto your damaged awning and adhere it with waterproof RV glue: these specific types of adhesives are also available on Amazon or at your local hardware store. Once dried, trim away any rough-edged borders to create a seamless and unnoticeable fix.
FIX IT AND FORGET IT.
DIY: Fabric Repair Tips
Whatever the size of your awning tear, if you’re planning to repair it yourself, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:
- Firstly, assess the damage to your awning and then carefully remove and wash, removing all dirt and debris. Wipe down with an absorbent towel and ensure that the material is dry before starting any repair work
- When applying awning repair tape, push both sides of the rip together while the material is laid out––always take time to ensure that you are placing the tape in the ideal area to minimize errors
- Accidents happen: if you lay the tape incorrectly, instead of removing it and re-placing in the same spot, simply use another piece of tape on top. Be sure to flatten as many air bubbles as possible
- For the most seamless results, place tape on either side of the material at the site of the rip
- Always work with a buddy or two––RV awning repair work can be time-consuming on your own
- If you’re still unsure about how to effectively repair fabric tears, or if you’ve completed the work and want to see if others do it as well as you, follow along with any number of tutorial videos available on YouTube
Using some solid technical and time management skills (and a fair bit of patience), you’ll have repaired your awning yourself and saved some considerable coins as a result.
Replacing RV Awning Parts
Sometimes, it’s not just the awning fabric that needs fixing. You may find yourself looking to replace damaged or missing parts to ensure that your awning stays in working order. If that’s the case, there are some common bits to be aware of:
- Knob Adjuster: this mechanism, typically found on the arm, allows you to adjust the tension on the awning material. Turning the adjuster knob lets you tighten or loosen the fabric according to weather and other conditions. If you lose an adjuster, or it becomes damaged, take note of the sizing model and replace it with parts that can be found online
- Awning Lift Handle: For RVs without remote retractors, the manual lift handle is vital to the awning’s ongoing functionality. You’ll need to find a replacement quickly if you want to continue enjoying the benefits of a canopy
- Mounting Bracket: these are typically installed onto the RV sidewall with screws and feature a slot where replacement awning arms can be attached and secured. Mounting brackets are some of the most susceptible parts to seasonal damage and should be replaced at the first sign of distress
- Spring Assembly: this coiled spring component that lives within a metal casing gives the tension necessary to extend and retract the actual awning itself. If your existing RV awning uses a spring assembly and needs to be replaced, replacement options are relatively low-cost and easy to find online
Trust the Professional Touch
If any of the above awning repair steps have left you feeling overwhelmed or unsure, bring your RV in to have it professionally looked after.
Leisure Coachworks is a leader in RV maintenance and repair. Our staff of qualified and experienced technicians can help replace or repair RV awnings, as well as many other service issues related to your specific RV model. Contact Leisure Coachworks today for your RV repair project.
