How to Care for Your RV Awning
How often do you think about your RV’s awning? We thought so. A lot of them are taken for granted until they actually break and you realize how essential it was in the first place. As comfortable and relaxing as the interior of your RV is, you’d like to spend some time outdoors as well. So what’s protecting you from the harsh glare and the UV rays? That’s right! It's your RV awning. It’s what turns the bare space around your camper into a welcoming patio area where you can relax and crack open a cold one. So when servicing your RV, protecting your awning is substantially important.
Broadmoor RV has come up with some great tips on how to look after this small but significant part of your camper. Even though there are measures you can take to maintain and repair your RV awning, you can always drop by our dealership in Pasco, WA, and trust our experts to do an excellent job.
Different Awnings Require Different Care
RV awnings are not all the same. They are made of different materials and require different kinds of care, and the first step to looking after your awning is to figure out what it’s made of. The most common materials used are vinyl and acrylic.
The acrylic ones are resistant to mildew and water, but when exposed to heat, melt instead of catching fire. They are more like thick tent fabric.
Vinyl awnings tend to be covered in an anti-fungal coating in order to make them mildew-resistant. Cleaning a vinyl awning requires more care as the protective coating can be stripped off if scrubbed too hard.
Use gentle soap and take it easy on the material to protect your awning from wear and tear.
Precautionary Measures to Protect Your RV Awning
There are 2 things that can damage your awning: mildew and UV rays. Ensure that your it’s nice and dry before rolling it up, to prevent mildew from growing. Even though mildew is not as harmful as mold, it does have an unpleasant smell and can cause long-term damage. As far as protecting your protector goes, your awning can shield you from the scorching sun but it can also damaged by the UV rays. So to ensure a longer life, roll it up if your planning a day away from camp.
Clamps and Covers to Protect Your Awning
Just rolling it up isn’t enough though. Give it the extra protection it needs with an aluminium cover. De-flapper clamps can also save you from spending on repairs by preventing it from flapping constantly in a strong breeze. Constant flapping can accelerate wear and tear and this is a great way to make sure that your awning is held in place without being damaged by the constant motion.
Awning Repair and Maintenance by Experts
Though taking care of your RV awning is your responsibility, sometimes seeking professional help can go a long way in increasing it’s lifespan. Our team of professionals at Broadmoor RV definitely understands. Sometimes there’s more to be done than simply cleaning and protecting your awning. For repairs, parts replacement and more, your RV couldn’t be in better hands. The inner workings can be quite complex. Some models use spring-loaded opening assistance features and, if you’re not well-versed with the mechanism, you might do more harm than good.
So what are you waiting for? Drop by our dealership to get your RV awning thoroughly serviced.
We at Broadmoor RV love all our friends from the Tri-Cities area, as well as Seattle, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima, Washington. We’re also here for our customers from Pendleton, La Grande, and Portland, Oregon!