RV Awning Care: Protecting Your Awning from Sun and Wind
Okanagan summer sun and valley winds are hard on RV awnings. Here's how to keep yours in service all season.
Apex RV Team
Red Seal technicians ·
At a glance
An RV awning takes more abuse in one Okanagan summer than most home patio covers see in years — UV, dust, and sudden valley wind gusts all take a toll. A little care through the season prevents most of the repairs we see in the fall.
The Okanagan's dry heat and strong UV are hard on awning fabric, and afternoon valley winds can catch an extended awning by surprise. Most of the awning repairs we see are preventable with a few habits through the season.
Sun and Fabric Care
UV exposure breaks down awning fabric over time, causing fading, brittleness, and eventually tearing. Retract the awning during the hottest part of the day when you're not actively using it, and clean fabric periodically with a mild soap solution — built-up dust acts like sandpaper in the wind.
Wind Safety
- Retract the awning any time you leave the RV unattended
- Bring it in before wind picks up — valley gusts can build quickly in the afternoon
- Check that wind sensors or auto-retract features (if equipped) are working
- Never leave an awning extended overnight
Cleaning and Off-Season Storage
Let the fabric dry completely before retracting to prevent mildew, and inspect the roller tube and arms for corrosion at the end of the season.
Common Repairs We See
Torn fabric, bent arms from wind damage, and worn-out roller mechanisms make up most of our awning calls. Caught early, most of these are straightforward repairs — left alone, they tend to get more expensive.
Rather we take a look?
In our Okanagan Falls shop or at your campsite.
