RV TIPS | Awning Maintenance

Why RV Awning Maintenance Matters

Your RV awning isn’t just shade on a sunny day — it’s one of the hardest-working features on your motorhome. It protects your outdoor (and indoor) living space, keeps your rig cooler in hot weather, and instantly transforms a campsite into a cozy home base.

But awnings also take the brunt of sun, rain, wind, and road debris, which means proper maintenance is non-negotiable if you want yours to last. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time RVer like us, a little DIY care can prevent costly repairs down the road.

This guide breaks down the essential awning maintenance tips every RV owner should know — simple steps you can do yourself to keep your awning clean, safe, and working smoothly.

1. Wash Your Awning with Mild Soap

Keeping your RV awning clean is the foundation of good maintenance.

Why it matters: Dirt, pollen, tree sap, and road grime build up fast. Left unchecked, they degrade the fabric and shorten the lifespan of the awning.

How to do it (DIY):

• Fully extend your awning.

• Mix mild soap with warm water — avoid harsh chemicals that weaken fabric coatings.

• Use a soft brush or long-handled mop to gently scrub the surface.

• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

This simple wash keeps your awning looking great and functioning properly.

2. Always Let the Awning Dry Completely Before Retracting

This is one of the most overlooked — but most important — maintenance steps.

Why it matters: Retracting a damp awning traps moisture, creating a breeding ground for mildew and mold. These stains are stubborn, smelly, and can permanently damage the fabric.

What to do: After washing or a rainstorm, give your awning time to air dry before rolling it in. If the weather turns on you and you must retract while wet, open it back up as soon as possible to dry.

3. Inspect Awning Hardware Regularly

Your awning hardware does a lot of heavy lifting — literally.

What to check:

• Arm tension

• Brackets

• Screws and bolts

• Mounting points

Why: Loose or damaged components can cause the awning to deploy unevenly, sag, or fail completely. Spotting issues early saves you from expensive repairs.

DIY tip: Carry a small multi-tool or socket set so you can tighten hardware during routine checks at the campsite.

4. Lubricate Moving Parts with a Dry Silicone Spray

Your RV awning operates best when its mechanical components move freely.

Why use dry silicone spray:

• It lubricates without leaving sticky residue

• It doesn’t attract dirt and dust like oil-based sprays

• It protects metal surfaces from rust

Where to lubricate:

• Pivot points

• Support arms

• Rollers

• Joints and hinges

A quick spray keeps everything gliding smoothly and reduces strain on the motor (for power awnings) or manual mechanisms.

5. Retract the Awning During High Winds — Always

Even the toughest awnings aren’t built to withstand strong gusts.

We learned this one the hard way THE FIRST DAY we had our Foretravel! We hadn't even taken it for remod yet.. An East Texas windstorm blew in out of NOWHERE and ripped two of our awnings completely OFF!

Why this matters: High winds can:

• Bend awning arms

• Tear fabric

• Damage brackets

• Rip the awning completely off your RV

Rule of thumb: If the wind is strong enough to move your awning noticeably… it’s strong enough to damage it.

When in doubt, roll it in. Your motorhome will thank you.

6. Bonus Tip: Avoid Water Pooling

Even light rain can create dangerous water pockets on an RV awning. We think this is what happened to us: Late Night RV Leak!

Prevent sagging:

• Lower one corner of the awning slightly to create runoff

• Check tension regularly

Standing water adds heavy weight that stretches fabric and strains hardware.

When to Replace an RV Awning

Even with perfect maintenance, awnings eventually wear out. Consider replacement if you see:

• Deep cracks in the fabric

• Large tears

• Warped hardware

• Mold that won’t clean out

• Difficulty extending/retracting even after lubrication

Replacing an awning is still cheaper than repairing structural damage caused by failure.

Final Thoughts: A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way

A well-maintained RV awning makes outdoor living more enjoyable and protects one of the most used features on your motorhome. With these simple DIY tips, you can extend the life of your awning, prevent costly repairs, and feel more confident on the road.

Full-time RV life keeps us on our toes — from roof leaks to awning repairs — but taking the time to care for your gear pays off in comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.

Whether you're parked lakeside, boondocking in the mountains, or tucked into a luxury RV resort, your awning is one of your best travel companions. Treat it well, and it will keep serving your family for years to come.