Slide awning--make it last??

X2 on tough top awnings. I tried to make mine last too, but it was already starting to tear on one side, about 12" down. I had just gotten the RV back in august, and needed to get the emissions done so I could get it registered. Well, drove it 15 miles and got into the garage...as soon as I pulled through the door the awning ripped the rest of the way down and the damn awning fell down and got caught on the side of the door opening, just as I was pulling through. Not only was the awning ruined from age, but now it bent several of the pieces holding it to the RV and one of the arms. So in addition to buying a new piece of fabric, now I had to straighten everything back because I was trying to "make it last". Never again. Just order the awning fabric and have a buddy help you install it. Takes about 2 hours if you have no idea what you're doing. Mine took longer because I had to figure out how to pre-load the spring after the whole thing came apart and broke at the emissions place. What a pain in the rear. I think it was around $280 for my piece of fabric on a 13'6" slide.
Toughtopawnings.com