I confess to never having used my roll-up awning on my Wildcat 24RL 5er, but the top part of the fabric (from almost at the top of the roller to where the awning is retained in the extruded slot on the trailer roof) is getting brittle from sunlight as it is not protected from the Texas sunlight.I'd like to bond some tape or fabric in maybe a 6"+ width as long as the awning is wide to the top exposed fabric so the direct sunlight cannot directly strike the fabric, thereby preserving its remaining strength. It's plenty-strong NOW, but in a few years, teh sun will have damaged it to the failure point, I suggest.What should I use to overlay the awning material from where it disappears into the extruded awning retention rail on top, out along the awning material, and down the side of the roller to where direct sun is not a factor.Material (cloth + chemical bonding agent, tape?) Cement or Glue? Obviously I don't want the fabric/tape ripping off on some highway one dark night, so it would have to be compatible with the vinyl awning material itself.

The first 6" or so of awnings without an aluminum wrap soak up all the UV. When the. time comes, remove the fabric, have someone cut off the weak part and rehem it. So your awning is a bit smaller, but with years to go on the good part.

bobinyelm wrote:I confess to never having used my roll-up awning on my Wildcat 24RL 5er, but the top part of the fabric (from almost at the top of the roller to where the awning is retained in the extruded slot on the trailer roof) is getting brittle from sunlight as it is not protected from the Texas sunlight.I'd like to bond some tape or fabric in maybe a 6"+ width as long as the awning is wide to the top exposed fabric so the direct sunlight cannot directly strike the fabric, thereby preserving its remaining strength. It's plenty-strong NOW, but in a few years, teh sun will have damaged it to the failure point, I suggest.What should I use to overlay the awning material from where it disappears into the extruded awning retention rail on top, out along the awning material, and down the side of the roller to where direct sun is not a factor.Material (cloth + chemical bonding agent, tape?) Cement or Glue? Obviously I don't want the fabric/tape ripping off on some highway one dark night, so it would have to be compatible with the vinyl awning material itself.There is an aluminum cover made that looks like a short piece of roll-top desk that you can use to cover it, OR, you can go cheap. I've heard more than a couple people who have taken a piece of 6" light-wall PVC pipe, split length-wise, clipped over the awning. Remove before travel, replace when stored.Lyle

Go to Lowes hardware store and get 2 pieces of white plastic rain gutters for about $6 each. No cutting and they fit perfect over the awning when closed. Just don't forget to take them off before driving (don't ask why I added that).

guidry wrote:Go to Lowes hardware store and get 2 pieces of white plastic rain gutters for about $6 each. No cutting and they fit perfect over the awning when closed. Just don't forget to take them off before driving (don't ask why I added that).X2. I also drove with mine on. Stayed on for five miles before I realized that I forgot to take them off.

Best way to arrest sun damage to awning? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
I tried awning repair tape. It didn't quite make it a year. I've now added two 4" wide strips of Eternabond. I was hesitant because of all the bending and flexing, but it seems to be holding up pretty well. I'm still in the first year though.

On edit, I should add that I will do it right next time and cover it somehow right from the start.
bogart661
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
I have a friend that used awning repair tape on his awning and it worked well. Awning Tape
Jerry_B
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
attuco wrote:
I used eternabond

Same here. Has held for several years so far.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
Maybe attach a bright color streamer to the gutter/cover to help remind to remove before hitting the road.
attuco
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
I used eternabond
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2014
IF you are sure you are not going to use the awning. Remove it, and store it so that when you sell or trade, you can put it back on.
TheAmRheins
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
Gorilla or duct tape would work for a repair if there is undamaged fabric on each side of the damaged for it to anchor to.
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
DIY Awning Cover Post
Halmfamily
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
guidry wrote:
Go to Lowes hardware store and get 2 pieces of white plastic rain gutters for about $6 each. No cutting and they fit perfect over the awning when closed. Just don't forget to take them off before driving (don't ask why I added that).

X2. I also drove with mine on. Stayed on for five miles before I realized that I forgot to take them off.
guidry
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
Go to Lowes hardware store and get 2 pieces of white plastic rain gutters for about $6 each. No cutting and they fit perfect over the awning when closed. Just don't forget to take them off before driving (don't ask why I added that).