Caravan Awning Maintenance

1. Cleaning awning fabric

Caravan awning maintenance is something most people do not think about until it is too late. With a little regular cleaning and inspection, your awning fabric and hardware will last longer and you can often avoid a more expensive replacement.

One of the best ways to keep the fabric in good condition is to hose it down with clean water every month or so. Always let the fabric dry fully before rolling it up to reduce mould and mildew growth. If you need to roll the awning up wet because you are moving on, open it again as soon as practical so it can dry properly.

From time to time your awning will need a deeper clean. Do not use harsh detergent, as it can remove the waterproofing and mould-resistant coating. A lightly chlorinated solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water can be used, or you can use a specialist RV awning cleaner. Use cold or lukewarm water, a soft brush only, and always allow the fabric to air-dry fully before rolling it up.

Tip: Apply an even coating of RV awning cleaner to the fabric, roll up the awning and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, then reopen and hose it down.

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2. Repairing damaged fabric

Small holes and tears in vinyl awning fabric can often be repaired with ready-made tapes or patches. Because awning vinyl has a protective coating, a specialist adhesive is usually needed for a long-lasting repair. Clear awning repair tapes and patches are the easiest way to seal a tear and stop it spreading.

Another common method is to use Sikaflex, then apply cloth tape to both sides. Rounding the corners of the tape gives a stronger, more wind-resistant finish.

Clean the vinyl with methylated spirits before starting any repair, and make sure the area is dry before applying tape or adhesive.

Another common issue is stretching of the vinyl due to water pooling during heavy rain. Lowering one corner of the awning helps water run off. Straight or curved rafters can add tension to reduce pooling and can also help as wind deflappers.

Tip: Curved roof rafters are useful for adding tension to awning fabric, but they can stretch the fabric if used for extended periods in hot weather.

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3. When replacement fabric is the better fix

In some cases patching is not the best option and a full vinyl replacement is required. If the fabric is perished, badly stretched, tearing where it joins the caravan, or failing in several places, a patch may only be a short-term fix.

Fabric-only replacements may sometimes be available, but we generally recommend replacing the vinyl on the roller where possible. The price difference is often not huge, it is easier to swap over, and the roller assembly normally includes the two torsion spring assemblies. Those spring assemblies and locking mechanisms can be expensive on their own and often wear out over time.

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4. Repairing awning hardware

The number one cause of hardware damage is leaving the awning set up during windy conditions. Sudden gusts can put heavy pressure on arms, rafters, brackets and roller components. Even if nothing breaks immediately, the stress can cause failures later.

The good news is that awning spare parts are readily available and many are reasonably easy to replace. We stock a large range of spare parts for Carefree, Dometic and Fiamma awnings.

To help you select the correct spare part, we have put together clickable spare part diagrams for common awning brands and models.

Finally, it is a good habit to clean the awning arms to remove dirt and debris so they operate smoothly. A simple hose-out of the channels is normally enough. If there is still some resistance, wait until the channels are dry and apply a light amount of dry silicone spray inside the joints and channels.

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