RV awnings are wonderful when they work as they should, providing shade on hot summer days. However, like all RV components, they can be a hassle when they don’t work. Here are common RV awning problems and tips on how to fix or avoid them.
Technician Tip: The different manufacturers and types of RV awnings mean that the problems you experience may require model-specific instruction. Your awning’s manufacturer is your best resource for additional operation and troubleshooting advice.
An RV Awning Parts Diagram
Avoiding and fixing common RV awning problems is easier if you’re familiar with the parts of an electric RV awning. Each manufacturer and model may have slightly different names for each part, but these are Lippert’s official names.
Now for some definitions:
Wall-Mounted Rail: Secures the top edge of the awning fabric to the RV’s exterior wall. The rail gets installed before the rest of the awning and is typically a single piece of metal with a channel for the fabric to slide into.
Fabric: Stretches from the rail to the roller tube when the awning opens. It is typically UV and moisture-resistant and secures around the roller tube when the awning is closed.
Wall Brackets: Mount the support arm assemblies to your RV’s exterior sidewall. They are part of the support arm assembly.
Roller Tube Assembly: Extends parallel to your RV between the drive and idler head assemblies.
Gas Strut: Creates a push or pull force that controls the awning’s weight and motion when opening and closing.
Drive Head Assembly: Powers the awning as it opens and closes. It’s typically found on the front of the awning. Depending on your awning make and model, the drive head will use a spring or motor.
Idler Head Assembly: Keeps the roller tube assembly parallel to the drive head assembly. It’s located toward the rear of the awning.
Inner Drive Arms: Connect to the wall mount at one end and the outer lever arms at the other.
Outer Lever Arms: Connect the inner arms to the head assemblies.
Pitch Arms: Help you customize your awning’s pitch or tilt angle.
Some awnings have a manual crank handle, a smart control system for operation, and other added features. Consult your owner’s manual for an awning parts diagram specific to your camper.
What If Your RV Awning Won’t Retract?
A stuck RV awning can derail your departure time and have campground owners asking you why you’ve overstayed your welcome. If your RV awning won’t retract after opening, here are a few potential causes:
- Lack of power. Drained RV batteries can impair your ability to close an RV awning.
- Warped or stretched fabric. Damaged, torn, or warped fabric will impair your awning’s ability to open and close. (Usually from improper use or environmental damage.)
- Loose or damaged hardware. Loose, damaged, or missing screws holding certain RV awning parts together can impair proper operation.
- Improper positioning. Awning arms should be positioned parallel to each other during installation. If their position shifts due to movement in the awning rail or wall brackets, the arms won’t align, and your awning will retract unevenly or not at all.
Learn how to manually close an RV awning to get to a service center for inspection and diagnosis.
Not Enough Power to RV Awning Motor
There’s a clear sign that your RV awning isn’t getting enough power. Simply put, you don’t hear the motor operating at all when you press the button to open your RV awning.
If this is your case, begin by checking the fuses and breakers, flipping popped breakers back to the On position, and replacing blown fuses, if applicable. Then, check your 12V house battery power. If the charge drops too low, it may not supply sufficient power to extend/retract your awning.
Place a volt meter across the house battery and try running the awning. If you see a large voltage drop, replace the battery.
If the power supply is deemed sufficient, but the motor still isn’t operating, check for loose or corroded wiring in and around the awning motor. Loose connections must be fixed for your motor to function properly. Frayed or corroded wiring should be replaced by someone trained in RV electrical systems.
To test the wiring, unplug the awning motor and connect the wires directly to your battery of another 12-volt source. If the awning moves, the problem is in the wiring or the awning switch.
To test switch connections, remove the awning switch and use a short piece of wire to connect the 12-volt power terminal to the extend and retract sides of the switch. If your awning then extends and retracts properly, you may need to replace the switch.
Technician Tip: When awning electrical issues are more complicated than ensuring ample battery power, circuit breaker position, and fuse health, most RVers schedule an awning diagnostic at their local RV service center.
Warped or Torn RV Awning Fabric
The fabric of an RV awning can be torn or damaged in many ways. Common examples include falling debris, high winds, and improper operation. Failing to retract and secure your RV awning in inclement weather greatly increases the chances of torn RV awning fabric.
RV awnings can also stretch if exposed to too much water or debris. This typically happens when you leave your awning open during a storm and expose it to heavy rain and/or debris accumulation. Warped RV awning fabric will prevent your awning from opening and closing smoothly and evenly.
So, what are some ways to avoid this common RV awning problem?
- Retract your awning before storms to protect it from unexpected snow, rain, hail, and high winds.
- Be careful where you park to minimize the chances of heavy pine cones, branches, and other debris falling onto your awning.
- Know how to open and close an RV awning correctly. Operating procedures differ based on awning type and, sometimes, the manufacturer. Consult your owner’s manual to avoid damaging your RV awning fabric due to improper use.
What’s the solution if your RV awning fabric is torn?
For starters, replacing RV awning fabric is a two-person job, at minimum. Due to the tension on the awning roll tube, it can be dangerous for most RVers to remove the awning to perform an RV awning fabric replacement. Therefore, many campers with damaged awning fabric seek the help of experienced technicians at an Camping World service center.
Broken or Damaged RV Awning Arms
When working properly, RV awning arms should move parallel to each other. If one side extends more quickly than the other, or your awning isn’t opening and closing smoothly, your awning arm may be damaged.
These are the most likely causes of broken or damaged RV awning arms:
- Contact with an obstruction when extending an awning without proper clearance.
- Driving with an awning that’s not fully retracted.
- Leaving your awning out during severe weather.
Whatever the cause, you may need a complete RV awning replacement. The degree of the required repair will depend on the extent of the damage. Your best path is scheduling an RV awning inspection with a certified RV service center to determine if you need to replace an RV awning.
Technician Tip: Other damaged or corroded parts can cause RV awning issues. While designed to resist corrosion, awnings live outside and are subject to the elements. This is more common in older awnings, but you can check by visually inspecting awning components for corrosion. Use a heavy-duty rust dissolver or oxidation remover to clean awning components.
RV Awning Is Improperly Loaded
Awnings must be loaded evenly into their roll tube to open and close properly. If they aren’t, your awning may jam. Unfortunately, it’s hard to test for this if you can’t extend or retract your awning.
If your awning worked properly and stopped halfway through extending/retracting, you could have an awning jam. This is especially possible if the power supply is sufficient and the motor is running when you press the switch.
Do not drive with an awning jam in which your awning isn’t fully retracted. Contact a mobile RV service professional. Mobile service divisions are available at select Camping World locations. Call the location near you to inquire if they offer mobile RV services.
Other Common RV Awning Problems
Additional RV awning problems may result from a stripped motor screw, broken or missing RV awning strap, burnt-out RV awning lights, a broken RV awning wind sensor, other motor issues, and more. For most of these additional awning issues, you’ll need to find parts compatible with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Our parts specialist at retail locations across the US can help you, provided with your awning’s make and model. Additionally, technicians can complete these RV repairs to get your awning operational and you back on the road.
Contact your local RV service center about broken, missing, or damaged RV awning parts and schedule an appointment for RV awning repair.
Use these additional resources to properly operate and care for your RV awning:
- What Is The Best Cleaner for RV Awnings?
- How To Open an RV Awning
Have you experienced other RV awning problems? Tell us about your experiences and solutions in the comments below!
