#1 JAYCO TOWABLE
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MODEL YEAR 2023
One piece of your RV that can make or break your travel experience is the awning. We know, it sounds crazy. But what’s going to protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun? Your awning can give you shade from the sun and protection from a little rain too. You never realize how important your awning is until it breaks.
Awning maintenance is just as important as taking care of the rest of your RV! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some RV awning care tips for you to follow. Keep reading to learn more, and give us a call at Lone Star RV if you have any questions or you want to check out RVs for sale. We are located in Houston, Texas and proudly serve Katy too. We’ll help you with all of your RV needs!
Before you even start working on your camper’s awning, you need to make sure you know what you’re working with. Different awnings need different kinds of care. Find out what material yours is made of! It’s probably either vinyl or acrylic. Acrylic awnings are petroleum-based and are both water and mildew resistant. When exposed to a flame or extreme heat, it melts instead of catching fire. It is similar to a thick tent fabric.
On the other hand, vinyl options are usually covered in an anti-fungal coating to make them mildew resistant. Because of these protective coatings, you’ll want to avoid scrubbing too hard in one particular area. This will prevent the awning from wearing down too quickly. Make sure to use gentle soap that isn’t petroleum-based when cleaning so you don’t strip off the protective coats.
Most of your RV’s awning care will be preventive in nature. The main goal is to reduce the chances of mildew. Similar to mold, mildew thrives in a dark, wet, enclosed space. If you regularly roll up your material when it’s wet and leave it for awhile, you’re creating an ideal environment for mildew. To avoid this, only roll up your awning when it’s dry. If you’re already experiencing mildew problems, seek out a professional to help with cleaning.
Another concern is UV rays. Your awning may be protecting you from these harmful rays, but all of that exposure can add up. The longer you leave your material out in direct sunlight, the more the material will weaken and will be at risk of tearing. A small tear can become a big tear faster than you think.
Lastly, you’ll want to be aware of high winds. An extended awning in a windstorm can be extremely damaged and result in expensive repairs. If you know there’s high winds in the forecast, roll up your awning.
Sometimes, your preventative measures aren’t enough. There may be times when you have to repair or replace parts of your awning. There’s no avoiding general wear and tear. Although you may want to fix a broken piece by yourself, we suggest seeing a professional. Awnings are more complicated than you think. Some models may utilize spring-loaded opening assistance features which you may not be familiar with. You don’t want to hurt yourself or your RV trying to fix something that a professional can do.
We hope these tips will help you keep your RV’s awning in great condition! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Lone Star RV in Houston, Texas, near Katy. We are here to help you with all of your camper and trailer needs!
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