Awning protection while in storage

[N-Trouble]

So I have seen how some make inexpensive covers out of vinyl rain gutters. Its a good solution but the only downside I see to this is having to get up on a ladder each time to install/remove as well as storing. Not to mention I'll probably drive off with it still on loosing it on the freeway.

I would like to take a different route and was thing of just running a long strip of 3-4" wide awning tape down the top of the awning to serve as a sacrificial material from sun damage. Anyone do this with success? How difficult is the awning tape to remove once it becomes sun damaged and its time to replace?

[gperky]

Sail tape from West Marine. Various widths available.

[path1]

N-Trouble wrote:
Thanks but your link is for Black. Gorilla website says white only comes in 1.88" wide. Also says the white is UV resistant.

Your right. Forgot all about the color. Looks like white doesn't come in wider width.

My use the tape was because I had to remove some of the underbelly of TT when in AZ and used black tape temp keep stuff in place. Now back in WA and can't see any tape that is beginning to fall down. Good stuff. And I didn't put it up there very good because I thought border patrol would surely want to look under it. I couldn't find any black corro-plast so I got some white from a sign shop. Stuck out like a sore thumb. So I just wiped it off the dust with a rag and put it up. Still sticking real good.

[N-Trouble]

Thanks but your link is for Black. Gorilla website says white only comes in 1.88" wide. Also says the white is UV resistant.

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N-Trouble wrote:

7ofus wrote:
i did exactly what the OP is suggesting. I scrubbed and cleaned the awning, installed the clear Camco tape, and it cracked and peeled off within weeks.

I got that mess off, cleaned everything again, and used white "Gorilla" tape. It has been on a year and looks great. My only mistake has been that I tried to fold about an inch under the awning - thinking I was protecting the end of the tape - but it does not want to stay. I finally just cut the tape back to the edge of the awning material, and it is working better.

Thanks for the tip. Hadn't considered Gorilla tape. I see the white only comes in 1.88" wide roll. Did you have to run a couple of strips to get good coverage?

I found some wider at lowes. Great stuff. They had white and black. But even being a little wider you still would have to make 2 passes with it, to get it wide enough.

Here is spec's and they don't say anything about UV protection either. So don't know if that is right stuff to use either.

http://www.zoro.com/gorilla-tape-duct-tape-288-in-x-30-yd-17-mil-black-6003001/i/G0329777/

My thinking for some time was to use something like a EPDM patch kit. But not sure if glue would it hold up to the radius for longer period of time. And would look pretty sad if you had to pull it off at later date.

http://www.adventurerv.net/dicor-rubber-roof-epdm-repair-membrane-roll-p-3168.html?gclid=CMqfldOYv8U...


On our older trailer we used to have, I cut a pvc pipe to make a guard. Worked out Ok but pain to put on and off. So then went to the gutter thing, like you mention. I made the gutter so it would also double as sewer hose support when camping. Good idea but didn't fit as sewer support at very many places and still had to install and remove with ladder for awning.

Hope this helps. Next awning we get I might get the type with the alum guard built in.

[N-Trouble]

7ofus wrote:
i did exactly what the OP is suggesting. I scrubbed and cleaned the awning, installed the clear Camco tape, and it cracked and peeled off within weeks.

I got that mess off, cleaned everything again, and used white "Gorilla" tape. It has been on a year and looks great. My only mistake has been that I tried to fold about an inch under the awning - thinking I was protecting the end of the tape - but it does not want to stay. I finally just cut the tape back to the edge of the awning material, and it is working better.

Thanks for the tip. Hadn't considered Gorilla tape. I see the white only comes in 1.88" wide roll. Did you have to run a couple of strips to get good coverage?

[TurnThePage]

I also had a less than positive experience with awning tape.

Though I wad doubtful about it, I tried running two stips of 4" wide Eternabond tape along the top, creating an 8" wide barrier. That was 2 or 3 years ago and it's holding up well. So far, it's near the top of my list of mods for my next RV.

[7ofus]

i did exactly what the OP is suggesting. I scrubbed and cleaned the awning, installed the clear Camco tape, and it cracked and peeled off within weeks.

I got that mess off, cleaned everything again, and used white "Gorilla" tape. It has been on a year and looks great. My only mistake has been that I tried to fold about an inch under the awning - thinking I was protecting the end of the tape - but it does not want to stay. I finally just cut the tape back to the edge of the awning material, and it is working better.

[N-Trouble]

Campfire Time wrote:
I was looking at these last year. Never got to it, but they look like they might be the ticket.

Still have to get on a ladder, but I haven't seen good alternatives.

Yeah I saw those. Basically the same as using cheap vinyl gutters from HD/Lowes at a much higher price.

Was looking at something more permanent that you don't have to constantly install/remove. Don't know why the awning manufacturers make something that lays/folds over the rolled up awning when retracted to protect it from the sun. Or just put some kind of high UV resistant material on the awning along the 3-4" that are still exposed while its rolled up.

[Campfire_Time]

I was looking at these last year. Never got to it, but they look like they might be the ticket.

Still have to get on a ladder, but I haven't seen good alternatives.

[guidry]

I had tape on my prior TT after it started peeling. I never took it off. Currently on my 5TH wheel I have 2 pieces of rain gutter. I use a piece of string from one gutter end tied to my hand rail so I don't forget (yep, drove off with 1st set of gutters). To take them down I just use one of my hiking sticks to lift it off and down. Putting them on gives me a chance to check out my roof.