How to Replace a 30-Year-Old RV Awning

After 30 years of service, your RV may need some repairs from time to time. Replacing the awning of a 30-year-old RV is not necessarily hard to do, but there are some precautionary steps you'll want to take to make sure the job is done right and you keep accidents and injuries from occurring.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Replacement awning tarp 2 rods or tent poles--similar length and diameter to the current ones (if applicable) Awning frame (if applicable) Replacement tent poles (if applicable)
Replacement awning tarp
2 rods or tent poles--similar length and diameter to the current ones (if applicable)
Awning frame (if applicable)
Replacement tent poles (if applicable)

Step 1

Assess the damage. Take a look at your awning and see if any of the existing parts are still in good shape. Make a list of the items that may need to be replaced. This includes the awning frame, the clamps or mechanism that attaches the awning to the RV, the tarp that is the cover over the awning frame, and the support rods that hold the frame up on the opposite side of the RV.

Step 2

Get help. You may need to enlist an assistant such as a family member or friend. This only applies if you think you may need an extra set of hands. Having someone around to help can make the awning replacement process easier and faster.

Step 3

Order the required parts. Once you have your list together, you can buy or order the parts you need from your local hardware or camping store. You also may be able to order parts to replace the awning from the manufacturer of your RV.

Step 4

Replace the awning. Begin the replacement process by removing the old awning from the frame. While you are removing the awning, note how the awning is attached to the frame. You can remove the tarp by either undoing the snaps or removing the adhesive tapes that are holding the tarp to the frame. If the old tarp is going in the garbage, you can also cut the old tarp off the frame. If your frame is bent, rusted or not usable, then there isn't a need to remove the old tarp. You can simply remove the awning from the RV and throw it away.

Step 5

Begin to drape the awning tarp. Drape the new tarp over the existing or new awning frame. Awning tarps usually come with fasteners attached to them, which are typically snaps that you can use to fasten the tarp onto the bars of the frame.

Step 6

Attach the awning to the RV. Once you have the tarp attached to the awning frame, it's time to attach the awning to the RV. Use the existing clamps or attachment mechanism for the awning to attach to the RV to make sure that the awning works correctly.

Article Written By Kristie Lorette

Kristie Lorette started writing professionally in 1996. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and multinational business from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Her work has appeared online at Bill Savings, Money Smart Life and Mortgage Loan.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...