Awning question-- getting wet when stored

[curly5759]

Our 07 Fleetwood Orbit has an awning that tends to get wet inside, even when it is rolled up and not in use. The fabric winds up in such a way that I would think the water would run off and not get inside, but that is not the case. When we closed it, it was dry. We opened it today to check and it was wet and smelled of mold/mildew.
Are they all like this or do we have a special awning? I thought about a canvas bag like our tent trailer had, but I couldn't reach the zipper if it had one. Any comments/suggestions/remedies appreciated.
Thanks
Curly

[2012Coleman]

Doug33 wrote:
Gets wet and attracts some mildew also - and it looks pretty crappy when I extend out the awning to see the stains.

Go to Lowes and pick some of this stuff up. Spray it on and let it sit for a while. Stains will be gone, and it will also help to prevent new stains and mildew.

To the OP - just unroll it once in a while or make a cover for it:

[rbpru]

I have no idea how capillary action can suck in so much water but it does. Also, it will almost always leave a dark streak.

I wash it periodically but when it rains a lot, it is not worth the effort.

[Vvvv1010]

When in storage and it rains and your trailer is level, the rain water will sit near the awning and find its way into your rolled up awning. If you store with a little more tilt, rain will run off. Only a guess.

[SpeakEasy]

I may be mistaken about this (and I'm sure the experts here will jump on it if I am), but I think the mildew that you're smelling and/or seeing forms on materials OTHER than the actual awning fabric. In other words, its the pollen, dust, leaf bits, bugs, and other debris that supports the growth of mildew. The awning fabric is generally vinyl, which is plastic, and if it were totally clean, there would be no mildew.

So, if I'm correct, the issue isn't that it's wet. The issue is that it is not clean.

You probably will have a lot more success if you keep it meticulously clean, since you probably can't keep it totally dry.

-Speak

[Rubber_Ducky1]

Awning Pro Tech makes a commercial awning cover. I just made the same thing out of 4" PVC sewer pipe (it's thin wall). I used my circular saw to make a slit in it. I bought 2 ten foot pieces at menards for $13.89. When I close up my camper for the winter I'll snap those pieces on and next spring I'll see how good my awning was protected.

[Ranger431]

I ought to knock on wood but I've never really had this issue. Always make sure its dry when I roll it up and that's about it. My new Flagstaff has built in awning covers, so I think that helps.

I have seen a post on here in the past about using "modified" 2 liter soda bottles to make end covers for awnigs to help seal up the ends, but can't attest as to how they work. Obviously you can't drive with them on.

Hope this helps

[Doug33]

Gets wet and attracts some mildew also - and it looks pretty crappy when I extend out the awning to see the stains.

[curly5759]

Thank you all for the responses. Since it seems to be a normal thing, I will just have to try to remember to open it now and then.
Curly

[xteacher]

Ditto on the above responses. I recently had to clean the awning on our one year old TT because it got terribly moldy just sitting closed up. Keeping ours under cover isn't an option, so I'll just continue to clean it from time to time.

[atreis]

They do this. It's weird, but it happens every time.

[Terryallan]

Only way to stop it. cover it. Mine no longer gets wet since I built a shed over it. Stops all the mildew as well

[DutchmenSport]

Don't matter when I open my awning, it's always wet. I've had 3 different TT's now, and all 3 awnings did the same thing. No idea how to prevent this or what causes it. Just have to open it up every now and then and dry it out.

[GaryWT]

When new ours stayed dry but now there is water in it. When open in heavy rain we have some water along the wall of the camper. If you look there is stitching up near where it hooks to the trailer. Thinking of spraying waterproofing up there before winter to see if it works. Also not sure if water gets in from the ends. I do generally open it each week before we leave to dry it out some.

[gbopp]

Some have made awning covers out of PVC rain gutters, for when the RV is parked/stored.
You can't drive with the cover installed.
It's probably more for Sun protection but, it may keep it dry.