Hopefully the sun won't kill my new awning on our new trailer like it did the last one!Just installed my cheap-o awning cover based on an idea from another member. Bought two 10ft lengths of the white vinyl rain gutter from Lowes for 6.79 each. I was going to "splice" them with the splice connector and put the end caps on the ends but found out I really didn't need to do either. My awning is 18ft so I kept one gutter the full 10 ft and cut about 18" or so off the other one. Instead of splicing, I just overlapped the 2 pcs of gutter. One important thing I found out is that on rigs like mine, you can hook them in the rain gutter on the edge of the roof first, and then slide them over the awning. It fit's very snug and I don't think the wind will bother it. I did not bother with end caps and just cut them long and let them hang over a bit.Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

BTW, I was inspired by smokedummy's idea here:Awning Cover

TucsonJim wrote:Off to Lowes I go.Make sure you get the profile like the pic I posted. They sell another gutter that has a more ornate curve to the outside and that one won't work. Took me about 5 minutes with my chop saw. Hooking it in the gutter at the top first is the secret. Then just slide it down over the awning for a snug fit.

Great idea. I need to make a cover for my awning.

It would also be great for those of us who get lots of rain to keep the mildew from settling in on our wet awnings. I like this idea ALOT

Cheap-O Awning Cover complete | Good Sam Community

64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2013
I know, I'm dissapointed. But my rain gutter is 18" above the awning But it may work while stored.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 11, 2013
64thunderbolt wrote:
I know, I'm dissapointed. But my rain gutter is 18" above the awning But it may work while stored.

Yes, get a section of gutter and see if it will snap over your awning. If so, you're good to go.
rw7810
Explorer
Aug 20, 2014
I used the plastic gutter from Lowes for my front large awning, worked great. Also found these "gutter guards" to use for my slide-out. $3.99 for a 4 foot section. Snap right in the rain gutter on the TT.

Click For Full-Size Image.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Aug 20, 2014
Nice idea.
jjj
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Rw7810. Where did you find the covers that go into the rain gutter. I like those.
laramies
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Rw7810, do you keep the cover in place when you retract the awning? Does it keep the awning dry? Or just out of the sun?
mrw8i
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Bought an 8 year old TH. Awning is actually in really good shape, hardly used, except for the top where the sun hits it when it is closed up. It starting to dry out, crack, a few small tears; only a short time before full on rips. Too late for the type of protectant this thread is talking about. I had some eternabond tape from a different project. I thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed the awning and applied the tape along the whole length of the awning where it is starting to tear. Hopefully get a few more years out of the awning.
rw7810
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Found them at Lowe's in Tyler TX. There for house gutters. Just going to use them in storage or in my case behind the barn :)
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2014
mrw8i wrote:
Bought an 8 year old TH. Awning is actually in really good shape, hardly used, except for the top where the sun hits it when it is closed up. It starting to dry out, crack, a few small tears; only a short time before full on rips. Too late for the type of protectant this thread is talking about. I had some eternabond tape from a different project. I thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed the awning and applied the tape along the whole length of the awning where it is starting to tear. Hopefully get a few more years out of the awning.

The top when it is rolled up is where they always rot out, that's why I put the cover on mine. On my old trailer, I did not do this and it got really bad (didn't know), so I used the clear awning tape (sail tape) and got a couple more years out of it. The EB tape should work too.
mrw8i
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Ron3rd wrote:
mrw8i wrote:
Bought an 8 year old TH. Awning is actually in really good shape, hardly used, except for the top where the sun hits it when it is closed up. It starting to dry out, crack, a few small tears; only a short time before full on rips. Too late for the type of protectant this thread is talking about. I had some eternabond tape from a different project. I thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed the awning and applied the tape along the whole length of the awning where it is starting to tear. Hopefully get a few more years out of the awning.

The top when it is rolled up is where they always rot out, that's why I put the cover on mine. On my old trailer, I did not do this and it got really bad (didn't know), so I used the clear awning tape (sail tape) and got a couple more years out of it. The EB tape should work too.

As well as the 8 year old TH we just bought, we have 3 year old 17' TT, awning is still in good shape. Gutter might be a good idea, would need a way to tie it down in case the wind tries to take off with it. Could probably use a bungie on either end around the roller.