Your RV awning is key to ensuring you’re comfortable no matter where your rig is parked. Unfortunately, these awnings see a lot of wear and tear, need a lot of maintenance, and are actually pretty easy to damage. This means it’s a good idea to know how to tackle RV awning repair work yourself.
In this article, we will help you understand common RV awning problems, discuss solutions to these problems, and even teach you how to do a complete RV awning replacement.
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Common RV Awning Damage
In this section, we will discuss some of the most common rv awning issues as well as their solutions. Hopefully, this section will help you address whatever problems you are having with your RV awning.
Tears or Holes in Awning Fabric
The most common issue with RV awnings? Holes, tears, and worn spots in the fabric. These tend to develop after several years of use, especially if you use the awning often and it sees a lot of sunlight.
How to Fix Tears and Holes
Small holes and tears can be repaired with tent repair tape, but bigger holes or an awning with lots of rips will require replacing RV awning fabric.
Sagging Canopy
A sagging canopy is another issue you may run into. This is unfortunate because it causes the awning fabric to hold onto water, something that creates tension on the arms and could cause them to break.
How to Fix a Sagging Canopy
Generally, a sagging canopy can be fixed by replacing any broken rivets. That said, if replacing the rivets doesn’t help, your next step should probably be installing an RV replacement awning fabric.
Broken Arms or Mechanisms
Occasionally, the arms of your awning—or even the little mechanisms that help your awning move and lock into place properly—will break. This will render the awning completely unusable and might even make it impossible to roll the awning up properly.
How to Fix Broken Arms or Mechanisms
Unfortunately, purchasing replacement arms or even an entire replacement awning is probably your best bet when the arms or mechanisms break. This is not cheap, but it can be a DIY job if you have the help of a friend or two.
Electric Awning Failure
Lastly, you might find that your electric awning no longer wants to move in or out with the push of the button. Obviously, this isn’t good and an electric awning that is stuck out is especially bad because it means you can’t move the rig until you figure out how to pull it back in.
How to Fix Electric Awning Failure
In some cases, this is due to something as simple as a dead battery or an arm that is stuck and needs a bit of coaxing. However, if you charge your battery and give the arms a push and the awning still doesn’t work properly, a replacement motor or switch might be in order.
RV Awning Parts
Your awning is made up of many different RV awning parts. Knowing what you’re looking at when trying to repair an awning can be helpful, so let’s go over a few of these parts.
- Awning Fabric – Most of the time, it is the awning fabric that needs to be replaced. Make sure you measure carefully, so you know what size fabric to order.
- Awning Arms – Sometimes when a mechanism breaks, the easiest thing to do is just replace an entire arm. Just be sure you know what type of arm you need.
- Awning Lift Handle – If you have a Dometic A&E model awning, this is the replacement handle you’ll need.
- Knob Adjuster – Adjuster knobs are part of the awning mechanism that allows you to adjust the tension on the awning fabric. This knob is typically located on one of the awning arms, near where it attaches to the RV sidewall.
- Mounting Bracket – Mounting brackets are usually installed onto the RV sidewall using screws or bolts, and it has a slot or groove where the awning arms can be inserted and attached securely. While they typically hold up well, they can face wear and tear over time. There are different types of replacement mounting brackets available, depending on the type and size of the awning and the RV.
- Spring Assembly – An RV awning spring assembly is a component of the awning mechanism that provides the tension needed to extend and retract the awning. It consists of a coiled spring that is housed inside a metal casing, along with a locking mechanism and the tension adjustment knob.
Where to Find Replacement RV Awning Parts
If you do some troubleshooting and determine you’ll need replacement awning RV parts, your next step is finding a place that sells such parts. Many bits and pieces can be found on Amazon. You can also check out an RV parts store such as RV Parts Country. These stores should carry everything you need to get your awning in tip-top shape.
How to Replace an RV Awning
If you find yourself needing to replace your entire awning, the good news is you should be able to tackle the task yourself. That said, a DIY RV awning replacement will require some helping hands from some friends or family members.
Additionally, to replace the awning on your RV, you will want to ensure you know what you’re doing. The video below is a great place to start.
For reference, here are the steps that the process would entail:
- Get a properly-sized replacement RV awning.
- Release the existing awning.
- Roll the awning down and lock it into place.
- Rotate the inner shaft until the holes are lined up, and then bend the end of the cotter pins.
- Disconnect the lag bolts using a wrench. These are what hold the awning rafters to the RV.
- Lift the awning out of its place and walk away as you unwind the fabric.
- Note the number of times you turn each spring to relieve tension. (This number is exact and you will need to re-install it exactly as you found it.)
- Lift, out of place, the tube that holds the awning fabric, as it should be free at this point.
- Install the new fabric carefully to avoid tearing it.
- Reconnect the torsion assembly and rivet it back into place.
- Reconnect everything as you found it before.
- Then test your handy work to ensure the awning moves easily.
Replacing your RV awning can be a simple process, if you know your way around tension-loaded springs. When in doubt, always consult a professional.
There you have it – everything you need to know about RV awning repairs! Next time your RV awning needs to be fixed, you’ll be able to dive in and tackle the job yourself. This ensures you have shade reliably wherever you roam.
