Taking down your travel trailer awning safely and efficiently involves a series of coordinated steps to prevent damage to the awning, the trailer, or yourself. The process typically requires two people and meticulous attention to detail, especially when dealing with different types of awnings and varying weather conditions.
Understanding Your Awning Type
Before you even think about lowering your awning, it’s crucial to identify the type of awning you have. The most common types are:
- Manual Roll-Up Awnings: These are the most traditional and require manual winding to extend and retract.
- Electric Roll-Up Awnings: These utilize a motor and typically a remote control for easier operation.
- Box Awnings: These are self-contained units that fold into a protective box when retracted.
- Carefree Altitude Awnings: These awnings are more complex and utilize a different type of mechanism.
Each type requires a slightly different approach to take down. Always refer to your awning’s specific owner’s manual for detailed instructions. Failing to do so can result in costly repairs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Down a Manual Roll-Up Awning
This is the most common type. Follow these steps for a safe and effective takedown:
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Secure the Area: Ensure the area around the awning is clear of obstacles, including furniture, people, and pets.
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Retract Support Arms: Disconnect and retract the support arms. Most have a locking mechanism that needs to be released. Often, these arms clip to the side of the trailer and the main awning tube. Sometimes, these will be stored within the awning.
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Unlock the Travel Locks: Locate and unlock the travel locks on the awning. These locks prevent the awning from unfurling during transit. Failing to unlock these can lead to damage to your awning or trailer.
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Use the Awning Rod: Insert the awning rod into the awning’s winding mechanism. This is typically a hook on one end of the rod.
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Begin Rolling Up: Slowly and evenly wind the awning back onto the roller tube. Maintain even tension to avoid wrinkles or creases in the fabric. This is best done with two people, one on the rod and one guiding the fabric.
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Secure the Awning: Once fully retracted, secure the awning with the travel locks. Ensure they are properly engaged.
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Store the Support Arms: Store the support arms in their designated storage locations, often clipped to the side of the trailer.
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Final Check: Give the awning a final visual inspection to ensure it’s properly secured and nothing is left hanging loose.
Taking Down an Electric Roll-Up Awning
Electric awnings offer convenience but still require careful attention:
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Secure the Area: As with manual awnings, clear the area around the awning.
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Retract Support Arms: Disconnect and retract the support arms, as with the manual awning.
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Use the Remote Control: Use the remote control or the awning’s switch to retract the awning.
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Monitor Retraction: Pay close attention to the awning as it retracts. Stop immediately if you notice any issues, such as uneven retraction or fabric bunching.
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Secure the Awning: Once fully retracted, ensure the awning is properly secured with the travel locks.
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Store the Support Arms: Store the support arms in their designated locations.
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Disconnect Power (Optional): Some owners prefer to disconnect the power to the awning motor during storage to prevent accidental deployment.
Special Considerations: Wind and Weather
Strong winds are the biggest enemy of travel trailer awnings. Never leave your awning extended in windy conditions. Even a seemingly light breeze can quickly escalate and cause significant damage.
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Anticipate Weather Changes: Monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to retract your awning quickly if bad weather is approaching.
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Use Tie-Downs: In moderate wind conditions, consider using awning tie-downs to provide extra stability. However, remember that tie-downs are not a substitute for retracting the awning in high winds.
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Water Pooling: After rain, ensure no water has pooled on the awning. Water buildup can put excessive strain on the awning and its support structure. Use an awning rod to gently dislodge any pooled water.
Awning Maintenance
Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your awning:
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Cleaning: Clean your awning regularly with mild soap and water to remove dirt, grime, and mildew.
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Inspection: Inspect the awning for any tears, rips, or frayed edges. Repair any damage promptly to prevent it from worsening.
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Lubrication: Lubricate the awning’s moving parts, such as the support arms and winding mechanism, with a silicone-based lubricant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further understand awning takedown and maintenance:
What happens if I can’t retract my electric awning?
In most cases, electric awnings have a manual override. Refer to your owner’s manual to locate the manual override mechanism, which typically involves using a crank or wrench to manually retract the awning. Low battery power could also be the problem.
How do I clean mildew off my awning?
Use a solution of mild soap and water, or a specialized awning cleaner designed to remove mildew. Gently scrub the affected areas with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the awning fabric.
Can I leave my awning out in the rain?
While many awnings are water-resistant, it’s generally not recommended to leave them out in heavy rain. The weight of the water can cause the awning to sag or even collapse. If you must leave it out, angle one corner down to allow water to run off.
My awning is difficult to roll up. What could be the problem?
Several factors could contribute to this, including dirt or debris in the winding mechanism, stiff awning fabric, or a misaligned roller tube. Clean and lubricate the mechanism, ensure the fabric is dry, and inspect the roller tube for any damage.
How do I prevent my awning from ripping in strong winds?
The best way to prevent awning damage in strong winds is to retract the awning completely. In moderate winds, use tie-downs to provide extra stability, but always prioritize retracting the awning when winds become too strong.
What are awning tie-downs and how do they work?
Awning tie-downs are straps that attach to the awning’s support arms and are staked into the ground. They provide extra stability in windy conditions by securing the awning to the ground. Choose tie-downs that are specifically designed for awning use.
Can I repair a tear in my awning fabric myself?
Small tears can often be repaired with awning repair tape or a patch kit. For larger tears or more significant damage, it’s best to consult a professional awning repair service.
How often should I lubricate my awning’s moving parts?
Lubricate your awning’s moving parts at least twice a year, or more frequently if you use your awning regularly or live in a dusty environment. Use a silicone-based lubricant.
What type of soap should I use to clean my awning?
Use a mild dish soap or a specialized awning cleaner. Avoid using harsh detergents, bleach, or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the awning fabric.
How do I store my awning during the winter months?
Before storing your awning for the winter, clean it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely. Retract the awning and secure it with the travel locks. Consider covering the awning with a protective cover to shield it from the elements.
What do I do if my awning’s travel locks are broken?
Do not travel with your awning if the travel locks are broken. Secure the awning with straps to the travel trailer, or have the travel locks repaired before heading out on the road.
How much does it cost to replace a travel trailer awning?
The cost to replace a travel trailer awning varies depending on the size, type, and material of the awning. Expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, including installation. It’s always best to get multiple quotes.