Wet Awming

[fourthclassC]

Just started enjoying my Dometic awning after replacing the fabric. But noticed it is wet almost every time I open it. Not sure how it gets so wet inside as I try to roll it up only when it is dry. How do other folks keep it dry or is it just the nature of it.

[jerseyjim]

THE BEST product I've ever used for cleaning the awnings on my RV is: Mr.Clean Magic Mop. 10 minits. No muss no fuss. Bought mine at Wal Mart. 19 bucks, refills available.

[Terryallan]

So. This spring. Unroll it. Spray it down really good with Clorox II, or Awsome. Roll it back up. let is sit for several miniutes. Unroll it, and wash it. You will need a brush. but most all will come off.
BTW. Try to keep the Awsome, or Clorox II off the finish of the RV, and if you can't. Wax it when finished.

[tatest]

Water is drawn in by capillary action. A loosely rolled waterproof fabric will not stay dry in a humid climate.

[schlep1967]

Do a google search for capillary action. That will explain why it is wet when you unroll it after rain.

[fourthclassC]

Thanks for all the input. I will accept the moisture and open it to allow to dry whenever possible. It's all ice now as the cold weather and snow has started in MA. It is all put away till spring. Thanks again.

[crasster]

Yes, mildew will be really the only problem.. Open it up every now and then and let it dry out to kill off the mildew. You won't prevent moisture build ups and humidity from the air when rolled.... It's always going to be a bit damp and leaves many campers scratching their heads thinking "I put it away last time when it was 85F and sunny". 🙂

[Terryallan]

It's normal. they all wick water thru the roll. won't hurt a thing. but you will need to clean the mildew off in the spring.

[GWolfe]

Oasisbob wrote:
Good points made by previous posters. My awning roller is even with the gutter creating a valley between gutter & roler which traps water. This is not normal right? I always thought my awning was improperly installed. What say you folks?

Mine is installed the same way. I open mine every couple of weeks to let it dry out and there is most always moisture in it.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I just always assumed that rain was forced into the rolled-up awning as we drove down the highway - but there wasn't enough air movement to let it dry out once stopped? Because ours was always wet, too.

[Oasisbob]

Good points made by previous posters. My awning roller is even with the gutter creating a valley between gutter & roler which traps water. This is not normal right? I always thought my awning was improperly installed. What say you folks?

[Dick_B]

Here is my explanation. The awning folds are not air tight so during the day the air in the folds heats up and expands. At night when it is cooler the air in the folds contracts and brings the moist air with it. The next day the cycle repeats BUT not all of the sucked in moisture is expelled unless the awning is open.
If that explanation is true there is no hope for a dry rolled up awning. Those awnings that have a solid cover over them when rolled up would not have as much temperature increase (not as much air expansion) so they should not suck in as much moisture as those that are exposed.

[tenbear]

fourthclassC wrote:
Just started enjoying my Dometic awning after replacing the fabric. But noticed it is wet almost every time I open it. Not sure how it gets so wet inside as I try to roll it up only when it is dry. How do other folks keep it dry or is it just the nature of it.

Are you saying your awning gets wet when you roll it up dry, and it doesn't rain, then when you open it, it is wet? Or, if it rains while it is rolled up, it is wet inside?

Mine gets wet inside when it rains, not if it doesn't rain.

[Sam_Spade]

fourthclassC wrote:
How do other folks keep it dry or is it just the nature of it.

That's just how it is.....mostly.

Look at the ends when it's rolled up. The edges don't line up perfectly and that's where the water seeps in.

I think they make "end caps" to put on to prevent it but putting them on and off would be a real pain, at least for me, so I just roll mine out occasionally to dry out.

[jerseyjim]

My awning is original (2001) 8500, 16 ft long. Yes...it gets wet when rolled up. And yes, when it gets unrolled, it dries really fast. No harm that I can figure.

My only complaint is, after all these years, the fabric is wearing...and I have a few areas of scotch tape. Small...but it's there.