Top 12 RV Awning Fabric DIY Installation Mistakes

This is not a step-by-step tutorial on how to install new RV awning fabric. That is a subject best watched, not read. I encourage you to visit the land of YouTube and watch a DIY awning fabric installation video by The RV Geeks, AZ Expert, Tough Top Awnings, or an RV owner/influencer. Every awning is a little different. Some have tension springs; some don’t. Some have electric motors; some have ratcheting mechanisms. But replacing the awning fabric is a mid-level DIY project that most RV owners can accomplish in a non-windy afternoon.

Instead, this is an article best read after you watch a tutorial or two. I want to whisper in your ear a few helpful tips when removing and replacing your RV awning fabric. I’ve replaced all types of awnings, in all kinds of weather, by myself and with a helper. Whether you have a patio awning, door and window awning, or slide-topper canopy, I hope you’ll find some worthwhile nuggets.

Don’t rely on a straight pick or screwdriver to pin the awning spring.

Most manual and some electric awnings have a thru-hole in the end cap to pin the tension spring to the top casting (or idler shaft).

Many RV awnings have torsion roll-up springs inside the aluminum roller tube. These springs assist the awning as it retracts, somewhat like a garage door spring (fun fact: you can always tell when someone wound the spring the wrong way and didn’t realize it, as the awning will unfurl like it’s demon-possessed). Generally, these springs are pinned by inserting a clip, pick, cotter pin, allen key, screwdriver, or something else long and thin through a hole in the tube end cap and through the mounting shaft on the head assembly.

Here’s the problem: Smooth, straight picks are known to work themselves loose. If you use one of these tools, put a zip tie or two around the shaft to prevent it from falling out. Better to use an allen key or an angled clip. Also, use an insert tool made from hardened steel. Soft steel, like a cheap cotter pin, can bend or shear. (Personally, I use a T-handled allen wrench).

Don’t measure your fabric; measure between your awning arms.

Measure the distance awning arm-to-arm, not the width of the fabric itself, as it may vary between manufacturers.

Awnings are measured from center-to-center of the mounting arms. A 16’ awning, therefore, will have an actual fabric width of usually 15’-2” (or similar) to allow the fabric to fit between the 16’ arm-to-arm span.

All standard RV patio awnings have a projection of 8’; some manufacturers sell extended XL Versions of up to 9’. Door, window, and slide-out awnings come in all sorts of projection lengths. In a pinch, an 8’ wide fabric can be used on a 9’ XL awning, but not vice versa.

Mark locations and orientations with a paint marker or Sharpie.

Mark the awning (A) and valance (V) channels for the roll tube for easy re-assembly.

Make life easy on yourself. Make the position and orientation of all features:

Which channel the RV awning valance slides into;
Which side of the roll tube is right and which is left;
Where the old awning fabric was centered on the mounting rail, etc.

Two ladders are essential; three are better.

How many ladders is too many? Impossible!

In order to replace your awning fabric, you’ll need stepladders or A-frame ladders. Two is essential; three is even better.

If you’re doing this job yourself, one ladder will become your helping hand. The helping hand ladder should be tall enough that the top step reaches the height of the roll tube. If it isn’t, life just got significantly harder, and you’ll need to be correspondingly more creative.

If your RV awning is 16’ or longer, I would REALLY consider asking for help. When it comes down to push the new fabric into the old mounting rail, a helper makes a world of difference.

Oh, and bring two sawhorses. They make the perfect table on which to lay down your roller tube.

Clean and lubricate the old channels.

The new awning fabric will slide into channels on the roll tube and the awning mounting rail. These channels have likely collected dust and debris over time. Clean them out with a microfiber rag and light soapy water (a toothbrush or small wire brush works well for stubborn deposits), then lubricate the channels with dry silicone or Teflon spray.

Your vice grips are probably too small.

This little white top casting is often attached to a tension spring hidden inside the roll tube.

If you are replacing the canopy fabric on a sprung awning, then you’ll likely need to unwind and rewind the assist spring (something like 10-16 rotations is the normal range; the longer the awning, the more turns are required). Winding the spring is normally accomplished by gripping the rotating top casting with a pair of vice grips. Don’t skimp on the size of the vice grips. I’ve had smaller vice grips slip off. I was lucky enough to only crack a fingernail, but I know other technicians that have been sent off to the hospital for stitches or a broken finger for the same mistake.

That fabric “pinhole” might just be pigment displacement.

If you are using a vinyl awning fabric (as opposed to a solution-dyed acrylic), then the vinyl awning might look like it has a pinhole or two at the end of the wrinkles from being boxed and shipped. If you suspect a pinhole, try pouring water on the fabric to check for a leak. Many times, what you’re seeing is just pigment displacement, and it will naturally go away after a few days in the sun.