Replacing an RV awning fabric can seem like a daunting task, but it's actually pretty easy once you learn what to do. The key to doing this job is to have the help of at least 2 people. In this way, you will not only make the process easier, but you will also do it more safely.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Remove the roller
Step 1. Remove the bolts holding the canopy to the top of the motorhome
You can use a ladder to find the bolts that hold the canopy to the top. You will likely find them on both sides of the awning and over the latch on the metal legs. You can use a cordless electric drill to remove these bolts.
Place the bolts in a plastic bag. You should clearly label the bag and then set it aside
Step 2. Remove the bolts holding the fabric to the guide
If you look closely, you will notice that the fabric is tucked into a guide. There is a set of bolts that hold the fabric to the guide so that it does not slip. Use the electric drill to remove these bolts. You will find a bolt at each end of the guide.
You should put the bolts in another plastic bag. Label the bag and set it aside
Step 3. Have someone help you remove the legs and raise the canopy
Head to the bottom of the motorhome and look for the brackets that hold the legs in place. You must work with one other person to remove these legs from the brackets. Spread them out and then place them vertically on the ground so that the awning is raised.
Step 4. Move the control lever to extend the canopy to 1 foot (30 cm)
Find the control lever on the right side of the roller tube. You should rotate it, as you would when fully extending the canopy. Use the roller on the awning to unroll it to 1 foot (30 cm).
Step 5. Tape the sharp edges of the brackets
You will find a metal bracket at each end of the roller tube. The edges of these brackets will be sharp, so cover them with pieces of tape or electrical tape. In this way, you will avoid injuring yourself or scratching the motorhome.
Step 6. Extend the end of the guide with a flat screwdriver
Place the end of the screwdriver on either end of the guide and move it up and down like a lever to separate the end of the guide. This will make it easier to cut the fabric.
If the fabric is old, you will likely find some sealant that connects it to the guide. You need to cut this sealant. If you detect some dirt, you should also remove it
Step 7. Work with 1 or 2 other people to slide the fabric out of the guide
You should have one person hold each leg of the awning. Lift your legs off the floor and start walking past the motorhome, toward the end of the guide you opened. If necessary, you should have a third person pull the fabric along the guide.
Step 8. Place the awning roller on the ground
You should work together with the second person and slowly lower the awning to the ground. It would be even better if you placed a set of concrete blocks or large bricks under the roller of the awning to raise it.
Consider working on a tarp. This way, if you drop something, you can find it more easily
Part 2 of 4: Remove the spring
Step 1. Lock the spring onto the rear end of the roller tube
You should find the plastic cap on the left side of the tube. This is smaller than the main cap and is usually black. Open the lid, and then insert a Phillips screwdriver into the hole. This will lock the spring inside the roller tube.
The rear of the roller tube is to the left and the front is to the right
Step 2. Remove the bolt and leg from the front end of the roller tube
Head over to the right side and have someone hold the canopy leg firmly. Use a spanner wrench to loosen the bolt that secures the leg to the roller tube. Then remove the bolt and leg. Set them on the ground aside.
Step 3. Reinsert the bolt and cover the bracket with tape
Leave the awning on the ground. Put the bolt back into the roller tube. Use duct tape or electrical tape to cover the edges of the exposed media. This way, you will avoid scratching it.
Step 4. Use a retaining clip to release the pressure, turn the lever, and then unwind the spring
Attach a retaining clip to the bolt. Raise the press to release the built-up pressure. Turn the lever to the rotate position. Use the retaining clip to unwind the spring counterclockwise and count the rotations.
It is very important that you count the rotations, as you will have to use the same amount to screw the bolt back in
Step 5. Mark the lever on the roller tube and then remove the staples
Find the control lever and then mark its position on the roller tube with a permanent marker, as you will be removing it shortly. By doing this, you make sure to put everything back together as it was.
Step 6. Remove the rivets from the cap at the end and then remove the spring
Use a cordless drill to loosen the rivet. Then tap it gently with a hammer to remove it completely. Rotate the roller tube so you can see the bottom and repeat for the second rivet.
- Rivets are a type of screw that you will find on the outer edge of the lid. These are what secure the end cap to the roller tube.
- Have someone help you rotate the roller tube. You will need a person to stand at each end of the tube.
Step 7. Slide the spring assembly out of the roller tube
Hold the end cap and pull it off the roller tube. The spring assembly should come out along with it. Put the cover and spring assembly in a safe place.
Part 3 of 4: Replace the old fabric
Step 1. Remove the old fabric from the tube and then mark the channels
Have someone stand on the other end of the tube. You should work with the other person to remove the fabric from the tube and expose the metal. Look at the channels the fabric is tucked into and mark them with a permanent marker.
- Usually there are 3 channels, but the fabric will only feed into 2 of these.
- If the awning has a border, you should draw a "V". Then, raise the channel in which the border is embedded.
Step 2. Slide the old fabric out of the roller tube
Have someone hold the end of the roller tube while you pull the fabric. It might be easier to use a utility knife first to cut the fabric in half between the 2 channels. This way, you can slide the fabric into 2 pieces. Discard the fabric once you are done.
Step 3. Spray a silicone lubricant on the channels you marked
You should get a silicone spray lubricant with a nozzle. Put the nozzle in the channel and then press it down as you walk along the roller tube.
- You should avoid using silicone putty, as it is not the same.
- You can find silicone spray lubricant online and in hardware stores.
Step 4. Insert a new awning fabric into the channels you marked
Take out the new fabric and place it over the front of the roller tube. Insert the ends of the fabric into the channels you marked and make sure they are centered. In addition, you must make sure that the border is in the channel that you marked with a "V".
The awning fabric has a trim inside. Make sure this lip is inside the channels
Step 5. Slide the fabric along the roller tube
Hold the fabric firmly on each side of the 2 channels. Have someone else hold the roller tube firmly for you. Walk slowly down the length of the tube to the end and pull on the fabric as you do so.
The silicone lubricant should make this procedure easier. If necessary, you should spray more lubricant into the channels
Step 6. Place the fabric on the roller tube with the help of 1 or 2 other people
You should have one person stand at each end of the roller tube. You should work with the other person to wrap the fabric around the tube. You will need to raise the tube while pulling the fabric under it. Ask a third person to help you smooth the fabric as needed.
Part 4 of 4: Reassemble the awning
Step 1. Reinsert the spring assembly and rivets
Lift the spring assembly up and slide it back into the roller tube. Rotate the end cap until the line you marked earlier matches the control lever on the canopy. Use a rivet gun to reinsert the rivets.
You need to make the top rivet first. Then, twist the tube and attach the bottom rivet
Step 2. Re-grip the press and rotate it the same number of times as before
Replace the retaining clip on the bolt. Lock it in place and then spin it to the left. You should count the rotations as you spin it. Then, you should stop when you reach the number you counted earlier.
Step 3. Remove the press, reattach the canopy leg, and remove the tape
You must remove the retaining clip first. Put the canopy leg back in place, then reinsert the bolts and screws. Finally, remove the adhesive tape from the bracket.
Step 4. Reattach the stand legs, then remove the tape and screwdriver
Take the legs that are attached to the motorhome and lower them to the ground. Snap them into place, then remove the tape from the top brackets. Remove the Phillips screwdriver from the rear or left end of the roller tube and replace the plastic cap.
Step 5. Clean and lubricate the guide, then cover the open end with masking tape
Cover the end of a flat screwdriver with absorbent paper, then place it inside the guide. Slide the screwdriver back and forth along the guide to remove any dirt. Lubricate the guide, then cover the split end with masking tape.
- You should spray the inside of the guide with silicone spray lubricant, as you did with the 2 channels on the roller tube.
- The split end of the guide is the end that you pried open with the flat screwdriver. The edges are sharp, so cover them with masking tape or electrical tape.
Step 6. Find 2 other people to help you slide the fabric
This procedure is like when you removed the fabric from the guide, but in reverse. Have one person lift each leg of the awning. You should have a third person slide the end of the fabric into the split end of the guide. Walk past the motorhome and pull the fabric as you go.
Step 7. Remove the tape from the brackets and screw them back into place
Rest the legs on the ground and roll out the awning to 1 foot (30 cm). Remove the tape from the brackets, then screw them back into place. Once you're done, you can snap the legs back into place on the base of the motorhome.
For an even more durable finish, you should first coat the screws with a waterproof sealant. Silicone putty works very well for this procedure
Step 8. Put the legs in place and straighten the awning
If you haven't already, you should put the canopy legs back in place at the base of the motorhome. Unroll and re-roll the canopy several times until you find the pull strap. If the awning is not straight, you should unroll it and reroll it a few more times, pulling the edges as necessary.
Step 9. Replace the screws
Find the screws that attached the canopy fabric to the guide. You must put them back in the guide and screw them in place. Then the awning will be complete.
Advice
- Not all awnings need to be replaced. If a seam breaks, you should check to see if you can patch it up first with a waterproof sealant.
- Awnings come in different sizes. You should measure the old awning and then order a new one the same size.
- If you are making your own awning, you should measure the roller tube from the inside of both end caps.
Warnings
- You must be careful with the springs. There is a large amount of energy stored behind these. If you're not careful, you risk serious injury.
- You can hire a professional if you are not sure you can do this job on your own. Better safe than sorry.