Forum Discussion

SpeakEasy's avatar
SpeakEasy
Explorer
May 19, 2016

Awning Sun Protection

I'm thinking that the weak link in awnings is the top foot or so of "fabric." As the awning winds up, it turns out that the bottom side of that last foot or so ends up being the part that takes the brunt of sun damage. I've looked at awning protectors at RV parts stores, but they haven't impressed me.

I'm thinking that if I could attach about a foot of sunbrella to the bottom side of the awning, then when it rolls up, the sunbrella layer would be a covering over the rolled-up awning. I think I could attach it with strips of velcro.

Has anyone ever done something like this or even heard of anyone doing so?

Do you think it would work?

Thanks,
-Speak
  • 93Cobra2771's avatar
    93Cobra2771
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    BillyW wrote:
    I had a fair amount of aging Eternabond 4" wide tape that needed to be used up. I ran two strips across the awning's top section that's always exposed. It's been two or three years now and it's held up better than I could have dreamed. My awning was beginning to fall apart up there, but appears to be holding its own now. I expected the rolling, unrolling and flexing to make short work of the tape. I'm pleasantly surprised.


    That's supposed to be be one of the good things about EB, flexibility and ability to reseal itself. Darn good idea to put it up there, as it will easily outlast the awning material.
  • austex's avatar
    austex
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    OP SpeakEasy,

    It sounds from your description that your awning rolls up "backwards" from normal when you say you want to put the Sunbrella fabric on the bottom. Most awnings roll so that the top-side is exposed when stowed, not the underside.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    I had a fair amount of aging Eternabond 4" wide tape that needed to be used up. I ran two strips across the awning's top section that's always exposed. It's been two or three years now and it's held up better than I could have dreamed. My awning was beginning to fall apart up there, but appears to be holding its own now. I expected the rolling, unrolling and flexing to make short work of the tape. I'm pleasantly surprised.
  • Verne's avatar
    Verne
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    gbopp,

    I just made on for our trailer this last weekend. One of the simplist and cheapest things I've ever done. What I like about the idea is that it also keeps moisture/rain, etc. from getting into the rolled awning as it directs any water directly into the gutter on the RV. One of the best $14.00 I've spent yet.
  • Not_a_Clue's avatar
    Not_a_Clue
    Explorer
    May 19, 2016
    downtheroad wrote:
    It's a good idea IF you can reto-fit your existing awning. Beside sun protection, it protects the rolled up awning from scraps/tares/abrasion from closes by over hanging foliage.

    Ours came already with a metal wrap protector....similar to this:



    When I replaced my awning due to sun damage, I replaced with one that had this build into it. Helps alot!
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    May 19, 2016
    I use a long piece of vinyl rain gutter --it fits over the rolled up awning. I tie it onto the awning roll with a short cord -- have to climb up on a stepladder to do that. It works great, I think.

    Be sure to remove the gutter before you hit the road. I learned that the hard way.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    May 19, 2016
    It's a good idea IF you can reto-fit your existing awning. Beside sun protection, it protects the rolled up awning from scraps/tares/abrasion from closes by over hanging foliage.

    Ours came already with a metal wrap protector....similar to this:

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