It is an integral part of your camper to upgrade the awning fabric of your camper to a better one. Exposure of materials to environmental factors such as UV radiation, water, and wind over some time affects their quality.
New fabric is more weather resistant hence making the camper look good. New awning fabric for camper can improve the space by making it more durable and weather-resistant as well as improving the appearance of the camper.
The right fabric, be it acrylic, vinyl, polyester, or canvas, should be able to facilitate an enjoyable camping experience that lasts a long time. Are you yearning for an upgrade? Your camper is begging for one! Let’s know in brief about camper awning fabric replacement!
Why Do You Need Camper Awning Fabric Replacement?
Replacing an awning fabric for a camper not only optimizes the function of the awning but also improves aesthetic value as well. However with exposure to elements such as sun, rain, or wind, even the most durable material will deteriorate, and the fabric will become less functional.
When the new fabric is used to make awnings, they offer better protection and look good.
Putting new fabric on your camper awning helps keep your outdoor area working well and looking amazing. The fabric can get damaged by UV rays, the sun, rain, and wind with time.
The old fabric might have weaker protection from these factors which makes the awning less useful. Sometimes, awning repair from a reputed company also helps to provide better functionality.
Thus, the new fabric brings back its power to block harmful UV rays, keep water out, and stop mold and mildew from growing. Plus, the new fabric makes your camper look better. Making it look 10 times better.
Signs You Need A New Awning Fabric For Camper
You must know when it is the right time to begin using the new awning fabric. There are many indicators; these are wear and tear, knotted areas, stains, holes, and droops. It can cause more destruction if these are not noticed as they impair the functionality of camper awnings and the whole camping experience.
Wear And Tears
When you use your awning often and leave it out in harsh weather, it has an impact on the fabric. It causes the fabric to slowly wear down. Over time, you might see small tears or frayed edges too.
If you don’t fix these, they can turn into bigger holes. These will make the awning unable to give you shade or keep the rain off.
Mold And Mildew Growth
Getting dark spots or a musty smell on your awning? It means mold and mildew growth is occurring. It happens when the fabric stays wet or hasn’t been out in the air.
Changing the awning is vital if it gets mold growth. They can make the fabric weak and further damage it. It’s a health hazard as well.
Faded Spots
If your awning is getting faded spots, it’s time to change it. Due to sun exposure, heavy rain, and material damage, the fabric can fade color.
As the spots grow, they lose the capability to block away the sun. This causes the awning to be unable to protect you from the sun. It’s also prone to UV damage too.
Leaks
Awnings are designed to have water resistance. However, with time, that layer can break. So, if you’re seeing leaks, it’s lost the ability to repel water.
And sitting around in a leaky area is the last thing you want. So, it’s better to replace it.
Sags Or Stretches
When your camper awning fabric begins to sag or stretch beyond its original form, it shows clear signs of wear. This can make the awning less tight, which lowers its strength against wind and how well it works.
In the worst cases, sagging fabric might even harm the structure of your awning frame. That causes the frame to potentially break and cause a safety hazard.
Benefits Of A New Awning Fabric For Campers
Making a new awning is an upgrade, with added advantages and not only aesthetically. There is increased protection, decreased damage, and better weather resistance and it puts forth the customer’s new look for the camper. You will get the following benefits:
Increased Durability And Portability
New awning fabrics use better technology, which makes them last longer and resist damage. Materials like strengthened vinyl or acrylic can handle the weather better.
Because these fabrics are tougher, you won’t need to replace them as often. They also hold up better in windy or harsh weather. It also gets easier to carry around too which makes it even better.
Better Protection
A new camper awning fabric gives better protection. It can be sun, wind, and rain protection. This shields you and your family. Hence, upgrading your fabric is the best choice.
It also helps to keep the space under your awning cooler. This leads to a more comfortable space on hot sunny days.
Better Look
A fresh awning fabric can make your camper look new again. Over time old fabric loses color, fades, or gets stains. A replacement brings back bright colors or patterns.
This gives your camper a clean new look that fits your outdoor style. You can pick custom designs and styles for it too. This also boosts the value of your camper if you want to sell it.
Better Water And Weather Resistance
New awnings now come with waterproof coatings and can often withstand tougher weather. Look how far it came!
If you swap out your awning fabric, rain or snow won’t seep into your shelter. This helps to keep your outdoor area dry and ready to use for new memories. And it’s important, especially if you camp in places where it rains a lot.
More Outdoor Comfort
A new awning fabric will make your outdoor living space more comfy and useful. You’ll get better privacy too. It also helps to save money and improve the quality of life.
The temperature around your camp stays in control, which gives you more comfort. Overall, it makes your camping life better. You can now enjoy being outside even more!
This makes camping better overall, so you can enjoy being outside even more.
How To Replace Camper Awning Fabric?
It is a simple task and does not require expert hands. A utility knife, screwdriver, and a ladder would be the tools required. Go step-wise in getting the old one off, doing the cleaning, and applying the new one so that you can achieve perfect results.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
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Awning Fabric of choice
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A utility knife or a pair of scissors
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Straps or tie-downs to manage awning tension
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A tape measure
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A sturdy ladder
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Drill to take screws out.
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Dry lube (Graphite)
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Once you have all the essential items, you can start the replacement procedure by following these steps:
1. Take off the Awning from the Camper
First, climb a ladder to reach the mounting spots of the awning. Next, secure the awning to the frame with a zip tie. Get your rolled awning down. Use a screwdriver to take off the screws from the cups for which the awning stays in place.
2. Loosen the Roller Tube
After detaching, take off the caps and slowly loosen the roller tube from the groove. Be extra careful while doing so as it can be tight. Use a dry tube-like graphite to slide it off easily.
3. Take out the Old Fabric
Roll out the fabric and pull the old fabric from the tub. You might need the help of scissors to cut parts off. However, in most cases, it rolls right off. Check for any mold in the tube and wipe it clean.
4. Put in the New Fabric
Take the new fabric out and spread it out. You’ll see a plastic tube or rail running in between the fabric. You’ll insert those plastic tubes into the roller tube. Make sure it lines up right before you attach the fabric ends to the frame with a screw.
5. Now Do The Steps In Reverse
After you’re done, tighten the roller tube again. Insert the roller tube back into the groove it rests on. Screw on the caps and voila, you’re done! Check if it works well by pulling it out and pushing it back in.
Types Of Awning Fabric For Campers
When it comes to picking awning fabrics, there are 4 to choose from. Vinyl, Acrylic, Polyester, and Canvas. But, which one should you choose? Below, we’re listing down the pros and cons and suitable recommendations for each fabric for your convenience:
Vinyl Fabric
This type of fabric is perfect for humid and hot environments.
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Pros: Vinyl fabrics are extremely durable, making them last long. It is also water resistant. It can withstand harsh weather, UV rays and stay intact.
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Cons: It’s not waterproof so not ideal to keep for long hours. Also, the fabric can be heavy and can block out air.
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Acrylic Fabric
Acrylic fabrics are suitable for all types of weather as it is flexible. It can withstand damage and can last for years.
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Pros: Acrylic fabric allows air to pass through, which keeps the area underneath cool. It fights mold and mildew better than other materials. It’s durable and easy to maintain.
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Cons: This fabric is also water resistant but not waterproof. So, it might leak through heavy rains.
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Polyester Fabric
It’s good for a dry or humid environment depending on how well the water protection is.
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Pros: Polyester fabrics are lightweight and tend to be cheap. It’s durable and heavy-duty. It works in a similar way as vinyl fabrics do. Sometimes there are coatings added on it to make it water-proof too.
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Cons: It can be susceptible to wear and tear.
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Canvas
Canvas fabrics are the best for hot and humid days.
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Pros: Canvas fabrics are flexible and durable. It helps to protect from UV rays and keep the sun out, while also letting air in.
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Cons: It’s prone to wear and tear if not taken care of. Needs to be kept dry to avoid any damage.
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Camper Awning Fabric Maintenance Tips
Correct care, especially cleaning a fabric awning camper, makes it possible to use it for a longer period. Here are a few tips to follow:
Keep Up With The Cleaning
Dirt and debris can wear out your awning fabric over time. Clean it often with mild soap and a soft brush to get rid of any dirt and grime. Don’t use any harsh cleaners as they can mess with the protective layers.
Let It Dry Before You Roll It Up
Don’t roll up your awning when it’s wet. Molds and Mildew love moisture and you end up creating a breeding ground for them. Let it air dry completely under the sun.
During rain, if you have to roll it up, open it up to dry as soon as you can to stop long-term damage. For a quick fix, use a blow dryer on it.
Secure The Awning When It’s Windy
You can end up putting too much strain due to wind and traveling. It can cause early wear and tear. Awnings come with a locking mechanism so always secure it before making the move.
If you don’t have a mechanism, zip ties or deflappers work just fine too. This cuts down the chance of stretching or tearing the fabric.
Apply A Protectant
With time, the awning can lose the protective layer that helps to keep you safe. So, every once or twice a year, apply a protectant with UV for your fabric. It helps to keep the awning’s color and stop sun damage. It also makes the fabric water-resistant.
Inspect The Damages
Your awning fabric will be prone to wear and damage as time goes on, so inspect the damages occasionally. Check if it has significant wear or tears, damages, or stains.
Pay attention to any mold growth or fading spots too. See if it’s having any friction with the rollers. You can also get a professional to check it for you, to be safe.
Final Note
Camper awning fabric replacement is a worthy decision that improves the general use as well as the aesthetics of the outdoor area. Through the years, the awning material gets damaged by the sun, rain, wind, and even mold, reducing its effectiveness.
New materials on the market today are stronger, more weather resistant, and offer greater protection from a variety of conditions while also improving the look of the camper. If you take this approach, your camper should look fine as well as last for extensive use outdoors.
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