An RV awning is a piece of equipement designed to provide shade, but an RV awning can also become a source of damage if a person dont manage the RV awning corectly. Wind can catch an RV awning and cause the RV awning to bending or tear, so you must understand the relationship between shade requirement and wind resistance. Many people experience damage to their RV awning because many people dont realize how much wind an RV awning can handle.
The size of an RV awning must correspond to the size of the RV, because an RV awning that is too large for an RV can become an aerodynamic liability. For example, a large RV awning attached to a compact Class B van is a heavy weight that the van may not be designed to carry. Conversely, a small RV awning attached to a large Class A motorhome may not provide enough shade for the large motorhome.
How to Choose, Measure, Use, and Care for an RV Awning
An RV awning should scale in length alongside the physical footprint of the RV so that the RV awning provide appropriate shade for the specific RV. Measuring an RV awning require precision, and you must not estimate the measurements of an RV awning by looking at the RV. You must measure the rail span from bracket to bracket, because the rail span is often a different measurement than the total length of the RV.
Additionally, you must measure the projection of the RV awning, because the projection is the distance that the RV awning extend into the campsite. You must also measure the mounting height of the RV awning, because if the mounting height is too low, the RV awning will prevent you from standing comfortabley under the RV awning. There are different mechanism available for an RV awning, and you must choose a mechanism that fits your needs.
Manual roller awnings are a budget friendly option, but manual roller awnings requires physical effort to extend and retract. Electric RV awnings provide more convenience because you can operate electric RV awnings with a button press. Some electric RV awnings also include sensors that detect weather change.
Slide-out toppers is another type of RV awning, but designers designed slide-out toppers to protect mechanical component rather than to create a patio space. The fabric of the RV awning is a significant factor in the long-term use of the RV awning. Vinyl is a waterproof fabric, but vinyl is also heavy and vinyl can trap moisture.
If you roll up a vinyl RV awning while the vinyl are wet, the vinyl will develop a smell of mildew. Acrylic is a different fabric option, and acrylic is a breathable fabric that resist fading. Mesh is a third fabric option, and mesh allow air to pass through the mesh to provide a breeze while the mesh still provide UV protection.
Safety is a necessary part of using an RV awning, and you must follow wind rating to ensure safety. Wind ratings are limits, and you should retract the RV awning when wind speed reach twenty or twenty-five miles per hour. Many people leave the RV awning extended while they are away from the RV, but leaving the RV awning extended during a storm cause expensive damage.
You can use de-flappers to stop the RV awning fabric from slapping, and you can use tie downs to anchor the RV awning arms, but these accessories doesnt replace the need to retract the RV awning during high wind. Maintaining an RV awning is important for the longevity of the RV awning. You should apply silicone spray to the pivot point of the RV awning, and you should clean the fabric of the RV awning each season.
Regular maintenance of the RV awning prevent small problems from becoming reason to replace the RV awning. If you maintain the RV awning, the RV awning will provide shade and comfort for many year.
