RV Awning Troubleshooting: How to Fix the Most Common Issues Yourself
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
If you’ve had an RV for any length of time, you already know the awning can be a real headache. From trying to buy replacement parts to it not rolling in straight, it always seems to act up when you need it most. One of the worst times is when it refuses to roll in just as you are trying to leave the campsite. In this article, we’ll cover common awning problems RV owners run into and give you the simple checks that can keep your awning working when you need it most.
Stop Guessing on Awning Parts
Make sure you know what type of awning you have before buying parts. Start by checking if it’s manual or power, then take photos of the stickers to capture the brand, model, and size. Having that information handy will help you get the right replacement the first time and avoid wasting money on cheap knockoffs that can damage your awning. We show you exactly where to find the details you need so you can confidently order the correct parts.
Helpful Resource:
Fixing Awning Alignment Issues
If your awning isn’t rolling in straight or is binding against the arm, don’t assume it needs to be replaced. In most cases, it only needs a simple adjustment. By checking which way the fabric is misaligned, then centering it and securing it with set screws, you can keep your awning rolling in and out smoothly. In this video, we show you exactly how to troubleshoot your RV awning so you can make these adjustments yourself.
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Troubleshooting RV Awning Electrical Connections
A common service call we get is from RV owners who arrive at a campground and go to roll out their awning, only to find it won’t move. It worked fine the last time they camped, so they assume the motor has failed. More often than not, the problem is just a dirty, loose connection. With a quick clean and a tight connection, the awning is back in working order within minutes. In the video, we show you exactly where to look so you can tell if this is the issue with your awning.
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How to Manually Bring in an Awning
We see this question asked all the time in RVing Facebook groups. Someone is stuck at a campsite with a Lippert or Solera awning that won’t roll in, usually right when they need to leave or a storm is moving in. The good news is that with a few simple tools, you can manually retract the awning and secure it so you can get back on the road safely. I’ll show you exactly how to do this in the video, and it’s a good one to save for future reference.
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We love empowering RV owners to feel more confident handling simple fixes on their own. A few quick checks may be all it takes to solve the issue and quickly get you back to enjoying your camping trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Question #1:
How do you clean the underside of a white awning? It looks terrible and is so hard to clean!
Answer:
A tip the RV washing guys gave me is to brush on your soap, roll up the awning, and let it soak for a few hours. Then unroll the fabric and rinse it off. A cleaner called Awesome is a popular choice for this job.
About Us
Mobile RV Tech Services specializes in onsite RV repair, maintenance, and inspections. We service your RV at your home, campground, or storage unit in Iosco county in Michigan from April 15 - December 15, and Houston, Texas, from January 1 - April 1.
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