Awning Care & Maintenance

Your caravan awning is one of the hardest-working pieces of gear on your Big Lap, providing shade, weather protection, and extending your living space day after day. But exposure to sun, rain, wind, and dust takes its toll. With proper care and maintenance, you can extend your awning’s life from the typical 3-5 years to 7-10 years or more, saving thousands in replacement costs.

Regular maintenance isn’t just about longevity. A well-maintained awning operates smoothly, looks better, and won’t leave you stranded with a torn fabric or seized mechanism when you need shelter most. Here’s how to keep your awning in top condition throughout your travels.

1. Daily Setup and Takedown Care

How you set up and pack away your awning each day has the biggest impact on its lifespan. Rough handling during these daily operations causes most awning failures.

Before extending your awning:

• Check wind conditions. Don’t extend in winds over 25km/h
• Clear any debris from the awning rail and fabric groove
• Ensure your caravan is level to prevent uneven stress on the fabric
• Have your support arms and pegs ready before starting

During extension:

• Extend smoothly and steadily. Don’t yank or force the fabric
• Support the fabric weight with one hand while operating the winder
• Stop immediately if you feel resistance or hear unusual sounds
• Check the fabric is tracking straight in the groove

When retracting:

• Remove all support arms and pegs first
• Check the fabric is clean and dry (more on drying below)
• Wind slowly, keeping light tension on the fabric
• Don’t over-tighten. The fabric should be snug but not drum-tight

2. Weekly Cleaning Routine

A quick weekly clean prevents dirt build-up that can damage fabric fibres and clog the awning rail. This 15-minute routine will keep your awning looking good and operating smoothly.

What you’ll need:

• Soft brush or broom
• Garden hose or pressure washer (low pressure only)
• Mild detergent (dishwashing liquid works fine)
• Clean cloth or sponge

Weekly cleaning steps:

1. Extend the awning fully in calm conditions
2. Brush away loose dirt, leaves, and debris from the top surface
3. Hose down the fabric with clean water, working from top to bottom
4. For stubborn marks, use a soft cloth with mild soapy water
5. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue
6. Clean the awning rail with a damp cloth, removing any built-up grime

Drying before storage: Never pack away a wet awning. Even if you’re in a hurry, extend it again at your next stop to dry completely. Mildew can start forming within 24 hours and will permanently damage the fabric.

3. Monthly Deep Inspection

A thorough monthly inspection catches small problems before they become expensive failures. Schedule this for the first weekend of each month when you’re staying put for a few days.

Fabric inspection checklist:

• Check for tears, holes, or fraying along all edges
• Look for loose or damaged stitching, especially at stress points
• Test zippers if your awning has them
• Check the fabric tension when fully extended
• Look for areas where the waterproof coating is wearing thin

Hardware inspection:

• Check all mounting bolts are tight
• Inspect support arms for cracks or bent sections
• Test the winding mechanism for smooth operation
• Check the awning rail for damage or loose sections
• Examine guy ropes and pegs for wear

Document what you find: Take photos of any issues and keep a maintenance log. This helps track deterioration patterns and can be valuable for warranty claims.

4. Fabric Care and Treatment

Awning fabric needs periodic treatment to maintain its water resistance and UV protection. The frequency depends on your climate and usage, but most fabrics benefit from treatment every 6-12 months.

Signs your fabric needs treatment:

• Water no longer beads on the surface
• Fabric appears faded or feels rough
• Small leaks during light rain
• Fabric stays damp longer after rain

Treatment products to consider: Canvas waterproofing products like Thompson’s WaterSeal or 303 Fabric Guard work well for most awning materials. Avoid silicone-based products as they can make future repairs difficult.

Application process:

1. Clean the fabric thoroughly and let it dry completely
2. Choose a calm, overcast day (avoid direct sunlight)
3. Apply the treatment evenly using a pump sprayer or brush
4. Work the product into the fabric with a soft brush
5. Allow to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions
6. Test water repellency with a light spray

5. Mechanism Lubrication

A dry or corroded winding mechanism will eventually seize, leaving you unable to extend or retract your awning. Regular lubrication keeps everything moving smoothly and prevents costly repairs.

Lubrication points:

• Roller tube bearings
• Winding mechanism gears
• Support arm pivot points
• Awning rail (light coating only)

Recommended lubricants:

• Marine grease: For bearings and heavy-load points
• White lithium grease: For gears and mechanisms
• Silicone spray: For light lubrication of rails and pivot points

Lubrication schedule:

• Every 3 months: Spray pivot points and rails
• Every 6 months: Grease winding mechanism
• Annually: Full bearing service (may require professional help)

6. Seasonal Deep Maintenance

At the start and end of each travelling season, give your awning a comprehensive service. This deeper maintenance addresses issues that daily and monthly care might miss.

Pre-season preparation (before your Big Lap):

• Complete fabric deep clean and treatment
• Full mechanism lubrication
• Replace worn guy ropes, pegs, and hardware
• Check and tighten all mounting bolts
• Test operation under load (use water bottles to simulate wind load)

Post-season storage prep:

• Thorough clean and dry
• Light lubrication of all moving parts
• Partial extension to relieve fabric tension
• Cover or garage storage if possible
• Remove support arms and store separately

Professional service: Consider having your awning professionally serviced every 2-3 years. A good RV service centre can replace worn bearings, adjust mechanism timing, and spot issues you might miss.

7. Common Maintenance Mistakes

These common mistakes can significantly shorten your awning’s lifespan or lead to sudden failures:

Packing away wet fabric: This is the number one killer of awning fabric. Even morning dew can cause mildew if left packed for several days. Always extend and dry at your next stop.

Over-tightening when winding in: Many people think tighter is better, but excessive tension stresses the fabric and mechanism. The fabric should be snug but not drum-tight.

Ignoring small tears: A 2cm tear can become a 2-metre split in strong wind. Repair small damage immediately with awning repair tape or fabric cement.

Using the wrong cleaning products: Household bleach, harsh detergents, and high-pressure washers can damage the fabric’s protective coatings.

Forcing stuck mechanisms: If your awning won’t extend or retract smoothly, stop and investigate. Forcing it can cause expensive damage to gears and cables.

Leaving extended in strong winds: Awnings aren’t designed for high winds. Even with guy ropes, winds over 40km/h can cause structural damage.