Do not use awnings in heavy rain?????? Really???

Think of full-timers.....their RVs never get covered and they are able to keep them looking good - IF normal care is taken, like waxing.

Back to the original topic.....you can certainly us the awing in rain. Use common sense in heavy rain and wind.

Mile High wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Effy wrote:

Millions of RV's out there uncovered doing just fine for decades. Maybe some folks aren't cut out to own an RV. It requires realistic expectations and common sense.

You read the threads on buying used RVs and you'll see that the mass majority of RVers don't think uncovered RVs are doing fine. :)


(I do agree with you - I just find it sad that there are a lot of RVs whose build quality is so lacking that the owners feel they must keep it covered to protect it from the elements that it was meant to be used in).

UV is a killer. Like you said, try finding a 3 or 5 year old gelcoat sided RV that doesn't look like it was hammered. Keystone couldn't even keep graphics on past 3 years.

Full body paint is better, but a garage is better yet.

Mine is 3 years old, never covered and shiny as ever. Graphics still look new.

toedtoes wrote:

Effy wrote:

Millions of RV's out there uncovered doing just fine for decades. Maybe some folks aren't cut out to own an RV. It requires realistic expectations and common sense.

You read the threads on buying used RVs and you'll see that the mass majority of RVers don't think uncovered RVs are doing fine. :)


(I do agree with you - I just find it sad that there are a lot of RVs whose build quality is so lacking that the owners feel they must keep it covered to protect it from the elements that it was meant to be used in).

UV is a killer. Like you said, try finding a 3 or 5 year old gelcoat sided RV that doesn't look like it was hammered. Keystone couldn't even keep graphics on past 3 years.

Full body paint is better, but a garage is better yet.

DutchmenSport wrote:
... "It is built to be outdoors, yet everyone spends all this money on garages, RV shelters, RV covers, etc., so the RV won't be subject to sunlight because the RV can't hold up to extensive exposure to sun. "...

But, don't we do the same thing with our automobiles, like park our cars in a garage? Aren't our automobiles "made" to be outside too, but we STILL put them in a garage? :h

Not to the extent that we do with RVs. In my neighborhood, the majority of cars are parked outside. None of my vehicles have EVER been parked in a garage or under a canopy/shelter. And for most people, the parking of a car inside a garage, etc., is more about the convenience (not having to dig it out of the snow, walk out in the rain, etc.) and security (less likely to have it stolen), than it is to actually prevent damage to the car. The only folks I know who worry about their car springing a leak in a rain storm are those with soft-tops or broken windows.

With an RV, the standard line is "if it's stored outside it's going to have damage".

... "It is built to be outdoors, yet everyone spends all this money on garages, RV shelters, RV covers, etc., so the RV won't be subject to sunlight because the RV can't hold up to extensive exposure to sun. "...

But, don't we do the same thing with our automobiles, like park our cars in a garage? Aren't our automobiles "made" to be outside too, but we STILL put them in a garage? :h

Effy wrote:

Millions of RV's out there uncovered doing just fine for decades. Maybe some folks aren't cut out to own an RV. It requires realistic expectations and common sense.

You read the threads on buying used RVs and you'll see that the mass majority of RVers don't think uncovered RVs are doing fine. :)


(I do agree with you - I just find it sad that there are a lot of RVs whose build quality is so lacking that the owners feel they must keep it covered to protect it from the elements that it was meant to be used in).

dougrainer wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

wildviking wrote:
Well thanks for the comments. Still have not bought a new MH but was shocked that Awnings should not be used in the rain. I just found that funny and sad as to pay the money we do for a MH and and design is such a joke in some things.

I find it sadder that we pay the money we do for an RV whose purpose is to be outdoors and we have to keep it covered as much as possible so it won't get ruined.... Seriously - it's meant to be outdoors!

This comment is ridiculous. Who said anything about being covered? Doug

I wasn't talking about keeping the awning covered - I was talking about keeping the RV covered. It is built to be outdoors, yet everyone spends all this money on garages, RV shelters, RV covers, etc., so the RV won't be subject to sunlight because the RV can't hold up to extensive exposure to sun. You'd think the RV industry would make a product (the RV) that can stand being in the conditions it was made to be in.

As for the awning, I agree that it's purpose is to provide shade not rain protection - therefore I can see having to take precautions, etc., to protect it from heavy rains and winds.

toedtoes wrote:

wildviking wrote:
Well thanks for the comments. Still have not bought a new MH but was shocked that Awnings should not be used in the rain. I just found that funny and sad as to pay the money we do for a MH and and design is such a joke in some things.

I find it sadder that we pay the money we do for an RV whose purpose is to be outdoors and we have to keep it covered as much as possible so it won't get ruined.... Seriously - it's meant to be outdoors!

You guys crack me up. They aren't made of tissue paper. This is common sense folks. Heck house roofs get ripped off if the wind is strong enough. Who thinks that a retractable awning should sustain heavy rain or winds? I think it's an unrealistic expectation. The same would hold true with those portable canopies. You think they should hold up any better? Millions of RV's out there uncovered doing just fine for decades. Maybe some folks aren't cut out to own an RV. It requires realistic expectations and common sense.

toedtoes wrote:

wildviking wrote:
Well thanks for the comments. Still have not bought a new MH but was shocked that Awnings should not be used in the rain. I just found that funny and sad as to pay the money we do for a MH and and design is such a joke in some things.

I find it sadder that we pay the money we do for an RV whose purpose is to be outdoors and we have to keep it covered as much as possible so it won't get ruined.... Seriously - it's meant to be outdoors!

This comment is ridiculous. Who said anything about being covered? Doug

wildviking wrote:
Well thanks for the comments. Still have not bought a new MH but was shocked that Awnings should not be used in the rain. I just found that funny and sad as to pay the money we do for a MH and and design is such a joke in some things.

I find it sadder that we pay the money we do for an RV whose purpose is to be outdoors and we have to keep it covered as much as possible so it won't get ruined.... Seriously - it's meant to be outdoors!