RV awnings provide shade and a place to relax when camping. They also create a barrier between the ground and your RV to help with privacy and weather protection. They come in two distinct types, manual and electric, as well as a variety of fabrics and accessories. Choosing the best one for your needs can help make your time camping comfortable and enjoyable.
An RV awning requires some maintenance to keep it looking great and functioning properly. The amount of maintenance depends on whether it’s an electric or manual awning. Electric awnings are usually found on newer travel trailers and motorhomes, as they can be deployed and retracted with the touch of a button. However, they do require a power source and will need to be checked regularly for damage or wear.
Awnings that are manually operated need to be lubricated on occasion with light oil or dry graphite to prevent sticking and damage to metal parts. Proper maintenance also includes cleaning the awning periodically and rolling it up when not in use. Lastly, it’s important to secure the awning when not in use to prevent it from falling off while the RV is in motion.
To remove a manual RV awning, loosen the knobs on the awning arms (2-3 turns will do) and open tabs to separate the inner arm from the outer arm. Next, remove the polycord screw on either end of the awning roll tube. It’s helpful to have two helpers for this step, as the assembly is fairly heavy and awkward to maneuver. Rv awnings