Our quality RV and trailer awnings provide you and your family or friends with wind, rain, and sun protection against harmful UV rays so you can make the most of outdoor living by further expanding your living space and improving the look of your RV or fifth wheel travel trailer. But before you buy, check out the different types of awnings we offer, learn how to find the right awning for your recreational vehicle, and learn how to care for your new or existing awning. We'll also review a few frequently asked questions so you can make an educated decision when choosing the best RV awning for your rig.
Manual Awnings
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This retractable awning style requires some elbow grease, as the RV awning arms retract and extend manually. So why should you choose a manual awning? Manual retractable RV awnings are often less expensive than electric awnings, making them a great DIY project for people who want to improve the looks of their RV, fifth-wheel camper trailer, or camper van while on a budget. Manual RV awnings are also simpler in design, as they don't feature wires or motors, making them lighter and easier to install
Electric Awnings
Electric awnings, also called powered or automatic awnings, are an excellent choice for RV owners who want to maximize convenience during camping trips and control their living area. Electric awnings use electricity to power motors inside the awning rollers, allowing you to extend or retract your awning with a push of a button instead of a crank handle. This lets you precisely control how far the awning extends, giving you more control over shade and water runoff protection from outdoor elements like the sun, wind, snow, and rain. Electric awnings are also designed to keep the awning fabric at the proper tension at all times, whether extended fully or halfway. This also helps prevent accidental damage when extending or retracting the awning.
Slide-out Awnings
Slide-out awnings, also known as slide-out toppers or slide-topper awnings, differ slightly from your typical camping trailer awning. A slide-out awning doesn't provide shade like a typical RV awning or extend when the slide-out isn't extended. Slide-out toppers are designed to cover the top of an RV slide-out and keep out any water, dirt, or other elements that could get into the slide from above. This, in turn, keeps the RV slide out in good condition and operating smoothly. It also means RV owners won't need to climb to the top of their slide-out and clean it before setting camp.
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How to Choose the Right RV Awning
So, now that you know the basic differences between different awning types, how do you choose the right one for your RV camper trailer? Here are a few things to consider.
Size Considerations
Before you shop for RV awnings, you should determine what size awning you'll need. The size you'll need will depend entirely on your specific RV camper trailer. Each recreational vehicle is designed differently and can have vastly different layouts, even if it's the same model.
Material Considerations
If you've got the size you need in mind, then the next step is to consider your awning fabric choices. You'll have a lot of variety here, but some options are superior. Most awning brands will use awning materials like vinyl fabric or acrylic fabric, which offer great advantages such as resistance to mold and mildew. However, these materials are often less resilient, with vinyl fabric usually lasting between 5 and 7 years and acrylic fabric lacking water resistance.
At RecPro, we use 1000D PVC Tarpaulin for our RV awning replacement fabric. This fabric comes standard in our selection of RV awning models, so you get a complete kit of robust RecPro awning hardware and RV awning fabric. Furthermore, our RV awning fabric replacements are available in several great color options: Solid White, Solid Black, Ocean Blue Fade, Tan Fade (a light brown fade), Gray Fade, Slate Blue Fade, Burgundy Fade, and Charcoal Fade.
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Frequently Asked Questions About RV Awnings
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Q1: How do I measure for an RV awning?
In general, you can measure the length of your RV roof from the rear to the front or where the roof begins to slope downward and use that measurement to determine the right size awning for you. You can also choose an awning shorter than that length; just make sure that the awning components, such as the arms, will not interfere with other parts of your RV, such as windows and doors.
Q2: How often should I replace my RV awning?
Generally speaking, you can expect awning fabric to last between 5 and 15 years, but this number depends on factors such as:
- The type of awning materials used in the fabric
- How often do you use your awning
- How long the awning is exposed to outdoor elements
- If you leave your awning extended or retraced when storing your RV
Q3: Can I install an RV awning myself?
You can install an RV awning yourself, so it's perfect for a DIY project. However, it can be difficult, so it is recommended that you have someone help you out.
Choosing the Best RV Awning for Your Needs
Comfortable outdoor living can be a challenge, even in an RV. But that doesn't mean you can't make your next camping trip better. RecPro is here to help you with all your awning needs, whether you need replacement parts and accessories for an existing awning or a complete kit. Take advantage of our free shipping, superb customer service, and wide selection of RV awnings today!
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This retractable awning style requires some elbow grease, as the RV awning arms retract and extend manually. So why should you choose a manual awning? Manual retractable RV awnings are often less expensive than electric awnings, making them a great DIY project for people who want to improve the looks of their RV, fifth-wheel camper trailer, or camper van while on a budget. Manual RV awnings are also simpler in design, as they don't feature wires or motors, making them lighter and easier to install
