The awning is one of the accessories people enjoy most: it gives shade, protects against light rain and, in practice, extends your living room outdoors. But it's also delicate and has one big enemy — wind, capable of wrecking it (and damaging the bodywork) in seconds if you get complacent. Using and caring for it properly extends its life and avoids nasty surprises. Here's how.
How to use it properly
- Tension it and give it a slope: when opening it, leave some incline so rainwater runs off instead of pooling (the weight of pooled water can break it).
- Use guy lines and pegs or support legs if there's any wind or you're leaving it up for a while; anchoring it to the ground gives it a lot of stability.
- Don't strain it: respect its surface and don't hang excessive weights from it.
Wind: its great enemy
Wind is the number one cause of wrecked awnings. A gust can bend it, tear it off or turn it into a sail and damage the camper's side wall. The golden rule: when in doubt, roll it in. If you're going off exploring, if it's getting windy, or at night, better closed. A rolled-in awning doesn't break (see strong wind).
Maintenance and cleaning
- Always roll it in dry: storing damp fabric creates mould and stains. If you have to close it wet, open it out to dry as soon as you can.
- Clean it with water and mild soap; avoid harsh products that could damage the fabric or its coating.
- Check the arms and the mechanism: that they open and close without forcing; lubricate if the manufacturer recommends it.
- Look after the fittings and screws anchoring it to the bodywork.
In short
The awning extends your space but it's delicate, and wind is its great enemy; the key is giving it a slope for the rain, securing it with guy lines and rolling it in at the slightest doubt. The step you can take today: make a rule of rolling in the awning whenever you go out, at night or if it gets windy, and of storing it dry; that alone avoids most breakages and gives it years of life. Combine it with the maintenance checklist.