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

laknox
Nomad
Oct 06, 2014
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
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
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.

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Best way to arrest sun damage to awning?

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