How to Replace Awning Fabric on Electric Awning
What is the Best RV Awning Fabric Material?
Awnings for an RV, camper, travel trailer, or van need to be durable, sun-resistant, cool to sit under, and waterproof. There's only one material for the job, vinyl.
It may seem daunting to buy and replace RV awning fabric but it's easy to measure and buy the right size. For more information on measuring and replacing RV awning fabric check out this article here.
Replacing it yourself will take time and a few tools and parts and having multiple people to help out is a good idea. I suggest watching the video at the end of this article on how to replace RV awning fabric before deciding on whether you are up to doing it yourself or if getting professional help will be a better option.
If you decide to go the professional route you can still get your own replacement RV awning fabric and then hire someone to do the hard part for you.
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In this article, I review some of the best RV awning fabric replacement brands and talk about the different qualities and materials.
Each brand likely sells the right size of fabric for your trailer so it's more about what kind of budget you have, the quality you are looking for, and the style you want for your camper.
Here is my list and review of the best RV awning fabric replacements for manual or electric canopies on the market today.
Most Basic Fabric
Best Overall Fabric
Most Premium Fabric
Material
15 oz Vinyl with 16 oz Weather Guard
16 oz 3-Ply Polyester Reinforced Vinyl
Most Basic Fabric
Best Overall Fabric
Material
15 oz Vinyl with 16 oz Weather Guard
Most Premium Fabric
Material
16 oz 3-Ply Polyester Reinforced Vinyl
Note: Scroll left/right on tablets and phones
Best RV Awning Fabric Reviews & Info
1. ALEKO RV Awning Fabric Replacement
Check Price at Amazon
Aleko is a great producer of budget-friendly heavy-duty RV awning fabric replacements. They have a lot of sizes and colors to choose from, all of them having the very popular hombre fade pattern on top.
The fabric is made of tightly woven vinyl that is UV, water, and mildew resistant.
It's only water-resistant so if you are planning to use it as a rain cover, which I do not recommend for any RV awning, water may drip through it.
There are 4 different color options with the ombre fade pattern: brown, blue, grey, and burgundy.
There are also striped patterns that you can buy in blue and black.
If you are considering getting a black awning fabric remember that the color black soak in the heat and it can be warmer underneath than an RV awning with lighter colors.
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All of the canopy fabrics are 8 feet wide which is the standard for camper awnings.
It doesn't matter if it is a manual or electric camper awning because the sizes are the same. The only difference if you buy a kit specifically for a manual RV awning is it will come with a replacement pull-down strap.
There are all different lengths to make the fabrics compatible with all sizes and brands of campers and trailers.
Remember even if it says a whole number like 12 feet it's going to be shorter than that because there needs to be a gap between the end caps of the awning tube.
Here are some quick ways to get to the different lengths in the blue ombre fade color: 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 13 feet, 15 feet, 16 feet, 20 feet, and 21 feet.
ALEKO RV Awning Fabric Replacement's are thinner than other brands but will do the job for those on a budget.
PROS
- Mulitple Color Options
- Multiple Pattern Options
CONS
- Thin Material (1 Ply)
- Not Waterproof
2. RecPro RV Awning Fabric
Check Price at Amazon
RecPro makes another fantastic basic RV awning fabric replacement.
While it may not be an upgrade from the awning fabric your trailer or camper came with it will certainly be better than a torn, moldy awning.
Made out of vinyl the fabric is UV and weather resistant. It is not waterproof which means water may drip through when it's raining.
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There are three color options: ocean blue fade, camel fade, and gray fade.
Each color has different size options. Ocean blue has 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22 feet. Camel fade has 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22 feet. Grey fade has sizes that are 19, 21, and 22 feet.
There is sure to be a size to fit almost any kind of RV canopy or 5th-wheel/travel trailer awning.
RecPro RV Awning Fabrics don't have as many color options as others, the material is a little thinner than I would like, and it's not waterproof.
But there are tons of size options to fit a huge variety of campers and it will keep the sun off of you and your family which is the main purpose of an RV canopy in the first place.
If you have a torn or moldy RV awning the RecPro is a great basic option to replace the bad fabric with that's going to be around the same quality the original RV awning fabric was.
PROS
- Multiple Color Options
- Lots Of Different Sizes
- Great Basic Choice
CONS
- Not Waterproof
- Thin Material (1 Ply)
3. Shade Pro RV Awning Fabric Replacement
Check Price at Amazon
Shade Pro makes thick, high-quality camper awning fabrics that are heavy and very durable.
Its standard vinyl is 13 oz 3 ply, cold-crack, and mildew resistant. With 3 layers of vinyl, the fabric is fairly waterproof and a good option for those who want to risk having their RV canopies out in the rain.
There are a wide variety of colors and sizes available. From 10 to 21 feet.
The colors have and ombre fade and the choices are: slate blue fade, burgundy fade, charcoal fade, dune fade, and reverse charcoal fade.
They also have a very unique checkered patterned RV awning fabric that looks great on toy haulers. It comes in multiple sizes as well.
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The manufacturer says the RV awning fabrics are made to fit Carefree, Dometic, Lippert, Carter, and Faulkner awnings.
But if the measurements are correct then it should work for whatever awning your RV, travel, trailer, or camper has. It's compatible with manual and electric awnings as well. The width is the standard 8 feet.
Shade Pro RV Awning Fabric Replacements are tough, thick, cold-resistant, and will last for years to come.
If you don't want to replace the fabric in your RV awning again and again then this is one of the best awning replacements you can buy.
There are a lot of great options and with their 3-year limited warranty, Shade Pro has your back.
PROS
- Thick Vinyl Fabric (3 Ply)
- Durable
- Cold Crack Resistant
- Cool Pattern Options
- Lots Of Size Options
- 3 Year Warrenty
4. SunWave RV Awning Fabric
Check Price at Amazon
SunWave is another high-quality RV awning fabric replacement brand that makes its fabrics from very thick and durable material.
They use 15 oz vinyl with a 16 oz weather shield that is heat welded together. This creates an extremely durable and hefty canopy material.
A unique feature because of the heat welding is the fabric has a colored pattern on both sides. Normally RV awnings are white underneath so you never get to enjoy the patterns but Sunwave has found a way to let people enjoy their patterned RV canopies even more.
There are a few color options with an ombre fade. They include: ocean blue, grey fade, camel fade, brown stripe, teal green stripe, and burgundy fade.
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There are size ranges from 8-22 feet. Remember the measurements are from the arms and the actual fabric length is always shorter to fit correctly between the RV awnings end caps.
Here's a quick way to get to different lengths in the ocean blue color. 8 feet, 9 feet, 10 feet, 11 feet, 12 feet, 13 feet, 14 feet, 15 feet, 16 feet, 17 feet, 18 feet, 19 feet, 20 feet, 21 feet, and 22 feet.
SunWave RV Awning Fabrics are made to fit any type of camper or trailer awnings and they come with a replacement strap for manual awnings. They will still work for electric RV awnings you just won't need the strap.
If you want a thick RV awning fabric that will look nice and last for years and years then going with Sunwave is not only smart but will save you time in the long run because you won't need to be replacing it as often as thinner less durable canopies.
PROS
- Mulitple Size Options
- Color & Pattern On Both Sides
- Made With 15 oz Vinyl
- 16 oz Weather Shield
- Comes With Manual Awning Strap
5. Awnlux RV Awning Replacement Fabric
Check Price at Amazon
Awnlux makes the thickest RV, camper, and trailer awnings on the market today. They use 16 oz 3-ply polyester reinforced vinyl for a waterproof, UV resistant, durable, and long lasting RV awning.
Their kit is geared towards manual RV awnings but it will work for electric awnings as well.
Included with the purchase of the fabric you get some poly cord for the roller tube, a replacement strap, an installation manual, a press plate, and an S-hook.
There are multiple color options: ocean blue, black fade, blue stripe, burberry, and .
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They don't have as many size options as others but here is a quick way to get to some of the sizes they do offer in ocean blue. 10 feet, 11 feet, 12 feet, 13 feet, 15 feet, 18 feet, 20 feet, and 21 feet.
Awnlux RV Awning Replacement Fabrics are of high-quality and a great option if you are looking for a replacement awning fabric that is also an upgrade from the one that came with your RV, camper, or travel trailer.
It's the most premium option in this review but if you camp a ton and like to have the RV awning out as much as possible it's one of the most durable RV awning fabrics out there.
PROS
- Super Durable
- 16 oz Polyester Reinforced Vinyl Material
- Lots Of Parts To Help With Replacement
- Multiple Color Options
CONS
- Very Premium Option (Not So Budget Friendly)
What To Consider When Replacing Your RV Awning Fabric
Measurements
It may seem like it's difficult to measure and buy the right size of RV awning replacement fabric but it's really pretty easy.
Just measure from arm to arm on your awning to get an idea of the large measurement, then measure from end cap to end cap on the roll tube.
Read what the final length of the awning material is and if it is shorter than the measurement between the end caps you are good to go.
For more detailed instructions on how to measure for replacement awning fabric check out this article.
RV Awning Fabric Material
All RV awning fabrics are made with some kind of vinyl because it is durable, UV resistant, water-resistant, and can stand being rolled in and out over and over again.
But, not all vinyl is made equal. The more layers of vinyl the fabric has and the heavier it is the better quality it will be.
For instance, the basic RV awning fabrics will just be made with a single layer of vinyl. And the premium ones will have 3 or even 4 layers.
If you only camp a few times a year and rarely use your RV awning a basic option will most likely be enough but if you use your awning all the time and camp a lot I recommend getting a thicker premium RV awning fabric.
Manual or Electric Camper Awning
Though they are very different to set up and take down manual and electric awnings are very similar in build.
The same awning fabric will work for either of them, the only difference is the strap that manual RV awnings have to open and close them.
The manual RV awning fabric kits will usually come with a replacement strap and you can still use them on electric RV awnings.
Replacement RV Awning Fabric Color
There is a wide selection of colors you can buy for your RV, travel trailer, or camper but remember that lighter colors will reflect the sun and darker colors will soak in the sun.
You can feel the difference between a white or light-colored awning when you stand under it compared to a black one.
If you camp where it's sunny and hot you may want to go with a lighter colored awning fabric over a dark one.
Conclusion & My Recommendation For Best RV Awning Fabric
When it comes to RV awning fabrics the main differences between all the brands and kinds are the material and thickness.
The thicker fabric is going to be a more premium option while a thinner fabric will be a little more basic and affordable.
If you only camp a few times a year and you don't ever have your camper awning out when it's raining a thinner fabric should work fine.
If you are a camping fanatic and you want the most durable, waterproof RV awning available the premium option is going to be the best way to go.
Luckily most brands have tons of different size, color, and pattern options to fit any style and color of camper so there should be an option out there to fit every kind of RV or trailer.
Below are my recommendations based on the different styles of camping.
Best RV Awning Fabric Overall – Shade Pro RV Awning Fabric Replacement
Shade Pro makes some of the best RV awning fabric replacements out there.
It's made with 3-ply vinyl and while it may not be the thickest fabric on this list it will hold up against the elements.
What's great about Shade Pro is the huge selection of sizes, colors, and patterns they offer. The selections are easy to navigate and they have a limited 3-year warranty.
RVs, travel trailers, pop-up campers, and even vans have such a wide variety of awning sizes on them. It can be hard to find the fabric that will fit yours.
That's why Shade Pro is going to be the best option for most campers. They offer a huge selection of sizes and they are a good mid range quality between the thickest most premium fabrics and the thinner basic ones.
Most Basic Option – ALEKO RV Awning Fabric Replacement
If you pulled your RV or trailer out of storage recently and opened up the awning only to find mold, tears, or holes you probably need to replace the fabric.
Some people only camp a few times a year and they just need a decent replacement fabric that will keep the sun off of the camper a couple of times.
The Aleko RV awning fabric is a great choice for people who just want a very basic fabric to replace the old camper awning with.
It's not the thickest or the most durable but it will do the job for most summer/weekend campers.
Most Premium Option – Awnlux RV Awning Replacement Fabric
If you camp a lot or live full time in your RV a thick camper awning fabric that is waterproof and will hold up against the elements is going to be the best way to go.
RV awnings are not known for their strength against the wind or rain but a higher quality fabric like the one made by Awnlux will most likely hold up a little bit better against regular use.
The high quality fabric combined with the wide variety of size and color options makes this a fantastic option for RVers who want to get a little bit more out of their RV awning.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Awning Fabric
How much wind can an RV awning take?
Not a lot. Manual RV awnings can take a little more wind than electric RV awnings but it's never a good idea to leave your awning out in a windstorm or when you will be gone from your trailer for an extended amount of time.
How do I make an RV awning wind resistant?
Manual and even electric can be secured to the ground using poles and straps or just straps to make them a little more sturdy when it's windy outside.
Use ratchet straps and stakes to secure each corner of your awning to the ground. Make the straps tight but not so tight that it damages the awning arms.
Even after securing your RV awning against the wind a large gust can still damage it. If a wind storm is coming it's a better idea to retract the awning.
What is the best RV awning fabric material?
Vinyl is one of the best materials for things that will be in the elements a lot.
The best RV awnings are made with multiple layers of vinyl. So multilayered vinyl is the best RV awning material or fabric.
What direction does RV awning fabric replacement go?
90% of RV awning fabric replacement goes color side up and white side down.
In other words, when you are sitting under your awning you will be looking at the white side.
How to replace RV awning fabric
Replacing RV awning fabric is simple in principle and very possible for people who know a little bit about repairing things but it's a time consuming process that will require at least another person to help out.
Manual RV awnings are more difficult to replace than electric ones but the principle is the same no matter what kind you have.
I recommend watching the video below to help you decide if replacing your RV awning fabric is something you want to do yourself or if it might be worth it to take the replacement fabric and your camper to an RV repair shop or dealer and have them do it for you.
Have any more questions about RV awning fabric? Leave a comment below.
How to Replace Awning Fabric on Electric Awning
Source: https://thecampingnerd.com/best-rv-awning-fabric-replacement-reviews/