Last Updated on January 2, 2022 by Douglas
Your RV is your home away from home. This is why it’s important to take care of it and keep it in good condition. Some parts of our RVs are more durable than others. This means that every now and then, we have to make replacements here and there. When you’ve got things to replace, you need to figure out what’s worth the money and effort and what isn’t. in RVs, the awning is one of the most commonly replaced items. The awning is relatively easy to damage and has a short life. But a lot of people find it hard to justify the cost of replacing their awning.
RV Awning Replacement Cost
The exact cost of replacing your awning will depend on two things: the kind of awning you’re getting and whether you’re going to install it yourself or have someone else do it for you. It goes without saying that the more money you are willing to spend, the better awning you can get.
Before you decide to replace an old awning, you should inspect your old awning. Sometimes, a bit of repair work can extend the life of your awning by quite a bit. Repairing an old awning can help you save a lot of money.
Things to Consider Before Investing in a New Awning
You should consider what you’re expecting to get from an awning before actually getting one. Most RV owners agree that awnings are essential pieces of equipment. They can be used to have a sheltered outdoor space where you can relax while you’re parked somewhere. An awning can make your RV more functional.
Now, if you already have an awning installed and you want to upgrade it, you should start by inspecting your existing awning. Is it in a repairable state? Or is it far too beat up? If your awning’s fabric is damaged, there’s a good chance that you can fix it without much trouble. However, if its structure becomes damaged, repairing it can be tricky. An awning’s structure has a lot of moving parts and most of the times, trying to repair it simply isn’t worth the hassle.
Type of Awning
The type of awning that you get will depend on your personal preference and your budget. You can choose from:
Manual Slide Out Awnings
These are the most common types of awnings out there. their manual operation design makes them cheap and simple to use.
Fixed Awnings
These awnings cannot be rolled in or out. Their fixed design makes them convenient, but they can also be easier to damage =.
Patio Style Awnings
These awnings are designed to deploy as an additional room. They have a roof and sides as well. Their design makes them more complex and also more expensive. If patio styled awnings fit into your budget, they can really increase the functionality of your RV.
Motorized Awnings
You can find these awnings on modern RVs. Their rolling in and out function is controlled with a motor. This makes deploying them and retracting them much more convenient.
As an awning’s design becomes more complicated, it becomes more expensive. A motorized awning will be more expensive than a manually operated one. Once you get an awning, you will also need to have it installed. Now, you can try doing this on your own if you’re good with your hands. However, most people will find installing an awning rather tricky and will rely on dealerships for help with installation. If you’re planning on getting a motorized awning, you will also need to deal with wiring, making the process much harder.
For most of us, installation cost will be a part of the overall expense of getting a new awning. If your vehicle is insured or you have a company installed awning that is still under warranty, you may be able to have your awning repaired or replaced without any cost.
Taking Care of Your Awning
Once you get an awning, you should make an effort to take care of it. Doing so will help maximize the life of your awning and get you the most value out of it. Here’s what you can do to take care of your awning:
- Go through its owner’s manual to learn how to use it properly.
- Make sure that its fabric is kept clean.
- Don’t roll up your awning when its fabric is wet, this can damage its fabric.
- Close your awning when there’s strong wind.
- During winter, don’t let snow pile up on your awning. Try to place as little additional weight on the awning as possible.
- If your awning ever sustains minor damage, have it fixed as quickly as possible.
- Clean your awning at least once a year. Use detergents that don’t damage your fabric. Cleaning your awning helps get rid of dirt, mildew, and material buildup that can be damaging.
Taking a few preventive measures can go a long way and maximize your awning’s life.
Conclusion
RV awnings can be expensive to replace. You should always check whether your awning can be repaired before you decide it replaced. When you do decide to replace your awning, your cost will depend on what kind of awning are you getting and how will you install it. If your RV is insured or is under warranty, your replacement cost can be brought down.
Once you get an awning, you can expect it to serve you for a long time as long as you take care of it.