Why Your RV’s Awning Breaks: Repair Options You Can Consider

Why Your RV’s Awning Breaks: Repair Options You Can Consider

Whenever you add an attachment to your RV, they become more susceptible to damage. Things, such as awnings can be easily damaged by things likes high winds, branches, and more. Because of this, we’ve seen plenty of RVs come in here at Coach Specialists needing repair or replacement. Below, we’re going to go over why your RV’s awning breaks and repair options you can consider.

Why Your RV’s Awning Breaks: Repair Options You Can Consider

Whenever you retract your awning, there is a brake mechanism that locks it into a closed position. However, the brake mechanism can get worn down over time. Unfortunately, it’s a part of the awning that isn’t something most people check on a regular basis, so it can often break “unexpectedly.” For many, it happens when driving down the road. The awning will slip down and the high winds will cause it to fold out. Once this happens, either the fabric or the entire aluminum frame breaks off.

Why The Break Mechanism Gets Worn Down – Why Your RV’s Awning Breaks: Repair Options You Can Consider

Within the awning roller, there are a set of cams and torsion spring. These parts were made to maintain tension on the roll and keep everything locked into position. However, over time, the cams’ ability to hold tension on the spring diminishes. While you can’t always see them very easily, they’re found inside of the awning rollers’ end cap.

Repair Options – Why Your RV’s Awning Breaks: Repair Options You Can Consider

When it comes down to it, awnings aren’t a cheap replacement. In fact, they require quite a bit of labor to get done. In most instances, people will file a wind damage claim with insurance and the adjuster will write up a check for a new awning.

If you’re skilled and experienced in maintaining your RV, you can order parts and do the repairs yourself. It’s important to note that you will likely have to contact your RV manufacturer and order parts, such as lock lever mechanism, torsion spring assembly, valence, new fabric, and poly tape. To do the entire assembly, you’ll likely need up to three people to help you during the process.

Depending on the type of awning fabric you have, it can cost anywhere from $400 – $600. Beyond that, a new spring and lock mechanism for your roller tube is roughly $130. So all of that, plus labor. Depending on the situation, it can be cheaper to replace it yourself. However, in a lot of scenarios, it can actually be cheaper to take your RV into a shop. This is because the damage could have impacted other parts nearby, such as mounting brackets. We recommend that you at least get your RV looked at by professionals at a shop even if you decide to repair it yourself. This way you’ll make sure that no further damage will be done and that there’s none you aren’t aware of.