RV Awning

A few add-on accessories can make your recreational vehicle (RV) more delightful, one of these is an RV awning. 

Awnings are sun blinds that are attached to the side of your RV. These components can transform your outdoor space into a functional area that you and your family can enjoy regardless of the weather.

How much is a new RV awning? Can a house awning be used on an RV? How long do RV awnings last?

This article provides information about RV awnings, like their price, and durability. It also discusses the possibility of using a house’s awning on your RV.

Getting a new awning for your RV? Check out AreaGuides.net. You can use this online directory, which contains various stores, to find the awning you’re looking for. 

You can also search for your next travel destination whether in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Salt Lake, Denver, Albuquerque, Chicago, Seattle, and other cities in the U.S. using this website.

How Much Is an Awning for a Motorhome?

There are many options available when installing an RV awning. The price of one of these awnings varies based on different factors.

Depending on how elaborate you want your awning, the cost of a new one can range widely from $250 to $3,500. 

The more expensive awnings have more features and are constructed from heavy-duty materials. 

Another factor to think about when estimating your motorhome’s awning cost is the size. Motorhome awnings come in different makes and sizes. 

Your decision to replace your awning yourself or go through a dealership can also increase the cost of your awning. You’ll also need to factor in labor expenses if you have a dealership replace your awning.

How Much Is a New RV Awning?

Large RV awnings can completely enclose one side of an RV. You can use smaller awnings as an overhead canopy for doors and windows. 

The larger awnings can give your camper an additional living area or patio that you can set up anywhere.

The cost can also differ depending on the RV awning fabric. But there’s usually a slight variation in price between materials like solution-dyed, acrylic, canvas awnings, and vinyl fabric. 

Below are the prices of each RV awning style to help you choose which one to buy. These costs include the installation fees and the basic setup. 

RV awning costs vary for each type. There are two styles of RV awnings: power awnings and manual awnings.

A retractable RV slideout or manual awning usually costs about $250 for a small one, $1,000 for a medium, and $1,500 for a large one.

Meanwhile, a fixed or permanent awning costs $250 for a small size and $500 for a medium. 

Automatic or mechanized and retractable awnings are the most expensive type. A motorized retractable awning ranges from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the size.

Generally, a small awning measures two by three feet. A medium and large awning measures four by eight and six by 15 feet, respectively. 

RV Awnings That Stand the Test of Time

If you want your RV to last long, give it routine care. You should regularly wash the awning with mild soap. As a general rule, if it’s safe to use the soap on your RV, it should also be fine for your awning. 

Harsh chemicals may clean more quickly, but you risk aging and ruining the awning’s fabric, leading to early failure.

Give your awning time to dry before storing it. Make sure it’s thoroughly dry to avoid problems.

Your awning could suffer a great deal of damage from improper drying techniques. Incorrect drying methods can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, fabric rotting, and rust on your awning’s mechanical parts.

If you left your awning open on a rainy or humid day, you should give it at least three days to dry before storing it.

Many RV owners ignore the locking mechanism included in most awnings. Locking your awning into position when you’re traveling can prevent it from getting damaged. 

If you lock your awning in place, it’ll not open or rip off while you’re moving quickly. You can also use the safety locking device when storing your awning for travel to prevent damage during transport.

How Long Do RV Awnings Last?

How long your RV awning lasts depends on different factors. Some RV awnings have more durable materials than others, so they last longer.

How frequently you use your RV and how long the awning is exposed to the elements can also affect its longevity. Another factor to consider is whether you store your RV indoors or outdoors when it’s not in use.

Generally, you can expect your awning to last between 5 and 15 years. 

Choosing the Right-Sized Awning

If you’re choosing an awning for your RV or 5th wheel, it’s worth knowing the different measurements required in evaluating if an awning will fit your vehicle.

An RV awning has several benefits, including its capacity to partially block sunlight from the vehicle and provide a larger area for outdoor activity. 

Awnings can also effectively double your RV’s available living space.

RV awnings come in a variety of sizes and forms. Full-size and porch awnings are options for adding a cover to the side of your caravan.

A full-size awning delivers the most space. It’s made to fit the entire caravan side but is also the heaviest. Porch awnings are more portable and easier to handle.

 The size of a full-size awning required to fit a specific RV is determined in centimeters. You’ll have to measure your RV from the ground around the awning rail and back to the ground. 

Generally, this is the only measurement you need. Each awning manufacturer determines an awning size differently based on the ground-to-ground measurement.

It’s best to inspect the area of your RV where the porch will fit. Determine whether there might be anything that can obstruct your porch awning when you put it in place. 

Also check for windows, doors, or hatches that can get in the way of installing your awning. 

The simplest way to get the size of your new electric RV awning is to check the measurements from your old automated RV awning. 

The drape material inside the awning’s roller tube will be trimmed to the nearest foot, so round up the measurement if it’s not feasible. It’s better to have a little more fabric than you need.

Dometic, Solera (a Lippert RV brand), and Carefree are examples of awning accessories manufacturers.

Can a House Awning Be Used on an RV?

Yes. House awnings can be used on RVs. Like awnings on houses, RV awnings expand your camper’s living space.

Awnings for an RV’s patios, doors, and windows can improve your motor home’s comfort and functionality. You can also add a screen room with an awning to have more space. 

RVs give very little to no sunshade without an awning. Sitting outside your RV and taking in the scenery may be uncomfortable, depending on the time of the day or the sun’s location.

Block the Sun and Enjoy the Shade With RV Awnings

An awning is an excellent modification to an RV to improve your comfort while traveling on the road. Having camper awnings also helps you avoid the summer sun.

Awnings are a common feature of RVs, trailers, and fifth wheels. If your RV doesn’t have one, below are the reasons to consider getting an awning.

You can create a great space where you and your family can enjoy the outdoors without being in the sun’s direct heat. Having an awning has the added benefit of significantly cooling down the interior of your RV. 

Your RV will stay cooler overall since the awning-covered rooms are protected from the sun. Being away from the UV rays can also prevent your rugs, carpets, and other furniture from fading. 

Slideout Awnings

A slideout awning, or an RV slide topper, is a heavy-duty vinyl fabric sheet attached to a reel. This type of awning is attached to the reel and automatically expands and retracts. 

The main advantage of a slideout awning is that it shields the slideout roof from dangerous debris like sticks and leaves that can fall onto the roof. 

A slideout awning cover slides out the roof of your rig, protecting it from rain and other elements like bird poop.

If you travel in the winter, your RV will benefit from a slideout awning. This type of awning prevents water damage by keeping water, snow, and ice from accumulating on your roof. 

RV slideout awnings can also help reduce your rig’s maintenance costs. 

Patio Awning Replacement Fabric

Depending on the size and fabric type, replacing an awning for your RV can cost anywhere between $200 and $1,400 in materials alone. 

Thick awning replacement fabrics cost more. Other materials are cheaper but offer less protection. 

If the fabric of your RV awning is ripped, torn, or drooping, it might be time to repair it. You can avoid having your RV serviced or paying for a complete awning repair by updating or replacing the fabric. 

The first step in replacing your patio awning is to measure its size. After selecting a new awning with the right size, remove the old one from your RV. 

Remove the old fabric and install your new chosen material. Numerous parts might make the patio awning more complicated to tie down. 

Now is a good time to thoroughly check the condition of the awning hardware, including the arms, mounting brackets, and roller tubes. 

Put the awning back on your RV and enjoy how your new awning look. 

Below is some popular trainer awning you may choose from.

Shade Pro awning fabrics are durable substitutes for typical camper awning fabrics. These fabrics come in heavy-duty 15oz three-ply vinyl, premium 13.5oz three-ply vinyl, and marine-grade acrylic.

Aleko’s manual retractable RV trailer awning can be expanded or folded in under a minute by a single operator. This brand’s retractable awning has a frame size of 10 feet long by 8 feet wide. 

The awning’s black fade color helps retain heat in the cooler months.

Awning Fabric for Metal Shield

Metal and fabric awnings have a similar appearance, but you can tell them apart because of the differences in the two materials. 

Awnings made of metal might be flat or standing seam. These types of awnings can be pulled over windows, acting as shutters during a storm. 

Look for metal shutters that you can detach or adjust, just in case you want extra window protection from hail and flying debris.

Think about how the RV awning shade will affect your home’s interior. Metal window awnings can entirely block the sun because it’s a solid material. 

Awnings made of fabric may let some light pass through, depending on the fabric you select. 

Different RV Patio Awnings

You can pick from a wide variety of RV patio awnings. All of these roofs are made of various materials and have different functions. 

Below are some of your options for RV patio awnings.

12V Travel’r Awning

12V Travel’r awning is an ideal awning for 5th wheels and travel trailers. At a fraction of the price, you can enjoy the same ease of use and convenience of an electric RV awning as you’ve seen on large, luxurious RVs. 

Eclipse 12V Electric RV Awning

The Carefree Eclipse RV awning offers a good amount of shade and flexibility. You can quickly extend your Eclipse RV awning by half or full by pushing and holding a button. 

To deploy a stable truss-like overhead support, the rafter arms move up the bus’ vertical track that’s mounted to the outside of your RV. 

Carefree of Colorado manufactures Eclipse electric RV awnings and other awning accessories.

Fiesta RV Awning

Fiesta RV Awnings are an excellent addition to your camper, giving it a stylish appeal. 

The Standard Fiesta has a strong, double-wrapped, multi-layer vinyl awning canopy and a long-lasting weatherguard.

If you’re buying a new Fiesta awning and want to get the right size, measure from the center bolt of one awning arm to the center bolt of the other.

Freedom Awning

The Freedom Wall Mount Awning is a box mounted on your truck camper or the RV’s side. The awning’s arms unfold as you turn the hand crank or push a button. 

The support arms of the lead bar fold out once it’s at eye level and within easy reach.

The flip lock controls on the support arms make adjustments simple. Push a button on the motorized awning to instantly close and lock it.

 You can also fold the support arms into the lead rail and crank the other way. If you don’t have electricity, the awning has a manual override.