Bad Weather Awning Care

**Donna D.** · 08-07-2013, 09:42 PM

Looking to the future here gang!

My current trailer has a case awning. Certainly not water-proof, but weather proof... whatever that means!

However, I see the Escape awning as being exposed to weather... rollup, no case.

The fabric would be expensive to replace.

How do people protect the awning, when the trailer is stowed outside? Here in the Pacific NorthWET... UVs aren't a problem, but WET, ice and (occasionally) snow IS.

I envison the top of the awning being covered in moss, mold (when rolled up) as being a concern

I've read on other forums where folks cut a piece of PVC (5") in half and kinda "snapped" it over the top of the awning?

Is this the solution? Or are there others...

TIA!

The perfect solution is to not "park" where there is a ton of water falling from the sky!

hillary · 08-07-2013, 10:23 PM

My Escape has the old zipper bag style awning (a case awning I guess?), not the newer, prettier, easier to put up and down kind, and it had a bit of a green tint when we first got it home. The material seems to hold up amazingly well, and it cleaned right off. I know the PO had never used the screen room (& we might not either), but I'm pretty sure they used the awning extensively. It was parked under cover at their place and is under cover at ours, but just the top and sides so rain can still blow in and the air is still very moist. I'd be interested to hear what other people say, especially since I have a fierce want for the new kind...

cpaharley2008 · 08-07-2013, 10:26 PM

Donna,
They sell those covers on amazon here Amazon.com: RV Awning Covers, Awning Pro-Tech 5 Piece Kit, UV Resistant, Snap-on cover for RV Patio awning: Everything Else
but I'd be afraid of mildew.
Carefree the awning Escape uses, does offer an upgrade, called Alumnaguard which has aluminum the last 18" which encapsulates the awning when closed, similar to ZipDee on Airstreams. Whether Escape will allow the upgrade is a conversation I'm currently having with Escape.

gbaglo · 08-07-2013, 10:50 PM

I've had no issues with my awning. I've left it closed up over five winters. Open it in the spring and wash it down with 30 Seconds or some such product. Hose it off, and everything around, let it dry, and close it up.
I've not seen any wear.
I'm not sure there is much value in some sort of cover for it.
I just try to open it from time to time when the sun comes out.

cpaharley2008 · 08-08-2013, 06:44 AM

I'm thinking that maybe the best approach also.

santacruzer · 08-08-2013, 10:37 AM

Here's one solution:

Protect Your RV Awning! | Awning Pro-Tech | awningpro-tech.com

gbaglo · 08-08-2013, 10:42 AM

And, where do you store that cover

Jim Bennett · 08-08-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

And, where do you store that cover

On the rolled up awning, silly.

gabeck · 08-08-2013, 01:37 PM

Being in Calgary we do not have the wet issues (mostly) , but for our awning (s.... our previous trailer had a very similar awning ) , I always made sure it was dry before rolling up for winter . With our changeable weather , I might wonder if a tight fitting cover might stick and cause release peeling of the vinyl . We had the last one for 8 years and the awning was pretty much in new condition . We do wax cover the trailer for the winter .

**Donna D.** · 08-08-2013, 06:48 PM

Thanks everyone!

thoer · 08-08-2013, 08:16 PM

Anybody tried the 303 Fabric Protector on theirs?
Amazon.com: 303 Products Fabric Guard: Automotive

bdornbush · 02-28-2016, 05:30 PM

We have the Awning Pro-Tech cover on our awning. We last camped in October and put the trailer to rest with a dry awning. We had the cover on since we returned from the trip. This weekend, we went camping and unrolled the awning to discover significant mildew on the awning. I conclude that the cover keeps sun off the awning but doesn't prevent rain from getting into the awning. We treated it with a spray bleach solution we found at a store near the campground. We live in northern CA near the coast, so we don't have much rain, but it does rain during the winter, about 20" this year so far. Now that we have some real experience with mildew on an awning less than a year old, we are wondering if others have any better ideas how to prevent it.

Bruce Wray · 02-28-2016, 05:42 PM

I think the only guaranteed mold prevention is to put the trailer under cover. We keep ours in a carport we got just for the trailer. Even if the awning is rolled up dry, rain can work in from the ends. And, I believe the material is hydrophilic -- water seems to want to condense on it. I swear by 303 and make sure the uppermost end of the awning that's always exposed gets regular treatment. Even with all that, I always have a few mold spots near the edges to clean every spring.

Bruce

gbaglo · 02-28-2016, 05:43 PM

Best read the instructions for the awning. You will find cleaning instructions on the awning itself ( maybe the fringe that hangs down ). Or in the manual for the awning.
Says to use soap and water with a soft brush, rinse well.
I don't think you are supposed to use cleaners containing bleach. I used Scrubbing Bubbles and rinsed it thoroughly immediately after.

Mine is always soaked up here in the Pacific Northwet. I try to open it when the sun comes out. If the sun comes out.

padlin · 02-28-2016, 06:27 PM

I used simple green on my old awning, 2 or 3 rimes a year for 8 years and it looked good.

Started using bathroom mold and mildew removed on this one as it works better.

Dump it in a cheap garden sprayer, spray it on, roll it up, unrolled after 10 minutes, hit it with a truck brush, hose it down and let it dry.

Do watch your eyes.

I do find the fabric this awning is made of is pretty low quality compared to mladt one. Won't be surprised if it doesn't last long.

cpaharley2008 · 02-28-2016, 08:04 PM

I had the same experience as Bill did, here on the East coast. I stopped using the cover and try to open it as much as possible to dry out between uses. A new style awning or type is on my Escape Wish list, perhaps like the Airstreams and Olivers.

NW Cat Owner · 02-28-2016, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I had the same experience as Bill did, here on the East coast. I stopped using the cover and try to open it as much as possible to dry out between uses. A new style awning or type is on my Escape Wish list, perhaps like the Airstreams and Olivers.

How are they different? Clueless about awnings. Do you not have to worry about mold on their brands/types/styles?

I never even thought about rain getting in between the layers when the awning is rolled up, so this info is good to know as our trailer will not be under cover. And it's not like we don't get any rain in this neck of the woods.