An RV awning is one of those features that transforms your camping experience from merely functional to genuinely enjoyable. After decades of helping RVers select and install awnings, I can tell you that a quality awning dramatically expands your usable living space, provides essential shade and weather protection, and creates an outdoor room that becomes the center of your RV life.
But choosing the right awning involves navigating a complex landscape of sizes, styles, materials, and features. The wrong choice can result in an awning that doesn’t fit properly, fails prematurely, or simply doesn’t meet your needs.
The challenge with selecting an RV awning is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your ideal awning depends on your RV type and size, how you camp, your budget, and what features matter most to you. A full-timer who camps in all weather conditions needs a very different awning than a weekend warrior who only camps in summer. A large motorhome requires different awning technology than a small travel trailer. Understanding these differences is essential for making an informed decision that you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Today, I’m providing a comprehensive guide to choosing the best RV awning for your specific needs. This isn’t a product catalog—it’s practical guidance based on years of experience helping RVers select, install, and live with awnings of all types. Whether you’re replacing a worn awning or adding one to a new RV, this guide will help you make the right choice.
Before diving into specific products, it’s essential to understand the different types of awnings and how they’re used. The main categories are patio awnings that extend from your RV’s side, slide topper awnings that protect your slideouts, and awning accessories that enhance functionality.
Patio awnings are the large awnings that extend from your RV’s side wall to create shaded outdoor space. These are the awnings most people think of when they picture an RV awning. Patio awnings come in manual and electric versions, with sizes ranging from 8 feet to over 20 feet in length. The right size patio awning depends on your RV’s length and how much outdoor space you want to create.
Slide topper awnings are specialized awnings that mount above your slideouts to protect them from rain, debris, and sun damage. The Lippert Solera Slide Topper Awning Fabric is a perfect example of this type. Slide toppers are essential for protecting your slideout seals and roof from the elements, and they help keep your slideout clean and dry. If your RV has slideouts, slide topper awnings should be considered mandatory equipment rather than optional accessories.
Awning rooms and enclosures transform your awning into a fully enclosed living space. The Carefree of Colorado 291000RV Vacation’r Room is an excellent example of this category. These enclosures attach to your awning and create a screened room that provides protection from insects while still allowing airflow. Awning rooms are particularly valuable for camping in buggy areas or for creating additional sleeping space for guests.
Proper awning sizing is critical for both functionality and appearance. An awning that’s too small won’t provide adequate shade, while one that’s too large can look awkward and may not fit your RV’s mounting locations.
Awning length should generally match or slightly exceed the length of the area you want to shade. For patio awnings, this typically means an awning that extends most of the length of your RV’s living area. Most RVers choose an awning that’s 1-2 feet shorter than their RV’s overall length, which provides good coverage while leaving clearance at the ends. When measuring for awning length, consider the location of windows, doors, and other features that the awning will cover.
Projection refers to how far the awning extends from your RV’s side. Most RV awnings have projections between 8 and 12 feet. Larger projections provide more shade but also catch more wind and require more space at your campsite. Consider your typical camping locations when choosing projection—if you often camp in tight spaces, a shorter projection may be more practical.
Clearance requirements are often overlooked but critical. Your awning needs adequate clearance above windows, doors, and other features. It also needs proper mounting locations on your RV’s sidewall. Before selecting an awning, carefully measure your RV’s sidewall and identify suitable mounting locations that provide the necessary clearance and structural support.
One of the most significant decisions in awning selection is whether to choose manual or electric operation. This choice involves trade-offs between cost, convenience, and complexity.
Manual awnings use a hand crank or pull strap to extend and retract. They’re less expensive, simpler, and have fewer components to fail. Manual awnings are reliable and can last for decades with minimal maintenance. However, they require physical effort to operate, and extending or retracting a large awning manually can be tiring, especially for older RVers or those with mobility limitations.
Electric awnings extend and retract at the push of a button, providing effortless operation. They’re more expensive than manual awnings and have motors and electrical components that can fail. However, the convenience they provide is substantial, particularly for large awnings or for RVers who set up and break down frequently. Many modern electric awnings also include features like automatic retraction in high winds and LED lighting, which add significant value.
Awning fabric is a critical component that affects appearance, durability, and how well your awning performs. Understanding fabric options helps you choose an awning that meets your needs and looks great on your RV.
Vinyl fabrics are the traditional choice for RV awnings. They’re durable, weather-resistant, and relatively affordable. Vinyl fabrics come in a wide range of colors and patterns, allowing you to match or complement your RV’s exterior. The Lippert V000334402 Solera Replacement RV Awning Vinyl Fabric demonstrates the quality and appearance of modern vinyl awning fabrics. These fabrics resist fading, mildew, and weather damage while providing excellent sun protection.
Acrylic fabrics are premium alternatives to vinyl, offering superior appearance and breathability. Acrylic fabrics have a softer, more residential appearance and tend to resist fading better than vinyl. They’re also more breathable, which can be an advantage in humid climates. However, acrylic fabrics are more expensive and may require more careful maintenance than vinyl.
Fade patterns are popular choices that hide dirt and wear better than solid colors. Fade fabrics transition gradually from one color to another, creating an attractive appearance that looks good longer. When selecting fabric color and pattern, consider your RV’s exterior color scheme and choose a fabric that complements rather than clashes.
The arms and hardware that support your awning are just as important as the fabric itself. Quality hardware ensures smooth operation, proper tension, and long-term reliability.
Awning arms come in various designs, from simple manual arms to sophisticated electric arms with automatic features. The Carefree RV VX2550HW Eclipse Awning Arm represents high-quality awning arm construction with features that ensure smooth operation and reliable performance. Quality awning arms include proper tensioning mechanisms, smooth-operating joints, and durable construction that withstands years of use.
Adjustability is an important feature in awning arms, allowing you to adjust the pitch of your awning for proper water runoff. Most quality awning arms include adjustment mechanisms that let you raise or lower one end of the awning to create the slope needed for rain to run off rather than pooling on the fabric.
Mounting hardware must be properly sized and installed to support your awning’s weight and resist wind loads. Quality mounting hardware distributes loads properly across your RV’s sidewall structure and includes proper fasteners that won’t pull out or loosen over time.
Awning accessories can significantly enhance your awning’s functionality and your outdoor living experience. Understanding available accessories helps you create a complete outdoor living system.
Awning rooms like the Carefree Vacation’r Room transform your awning into a fully enclosed space. These rooms attach to your awning and create a screened enclosure that protects from insects while allowing airflow. Awning rooms are available in various sizes to match different awning lengths, and they typically include zippered doors and windows for access and ventilation.
Sun blockers and side shades like the Carefree of Colorado SideBlocker Awning Sun Shade provide additional protection from low-angle sun. These accessories attach to your awning and hang vertically to block sun from the sides, creating more comfortable shade during morning and evening hours when the sun is low on the horizon. Side shades are particularly valuable for camping in open areas without natural shade.
Slide topper awnings like the Lippert Solera Slide Topper are essential accessories for RVs with slideouts. These specialized awnings mount above your slideouts and protect them from rain, debris, and sun damage. Slide toppers help keep your slideout seals clean and protected, extending their life and preventing leaks. If your RV has slideouts and doesn’t already have slide toppers, adding them should be a high priority.
LED lighting is increasingly common on modern awnings, providing illumination for evening outdoor activities. Many electric awnings include integrated LED lighting, or you can add aftermarket LED strips to manual awnings. Awning lighting creates ambiance and makes your outdoor space usable after dark.
Two brands dominate the RV awning market: Carefree of Colorado and Lippert. Both make excellent awnings, but they have different strengths and approaches.
Carefree of Colorado has been manufacturing RV awnings for decades and is known for quality construction and innovative features. Carefree awnings like the Eclipse arm system and Vacation’r Room demonstrate their commitment to quality and functionality. Carefree awnings tend to emphasize ease of use and thoughtful design details that make ownership more pleasant.
Lippert is a major RV component manufacturer that produces a wide range of awning products under their Solera brand. Lippert awnings like the Solera Slide Topper and replacement fabrics are widely used in the RV industry and known for good value and reliable performance. Lippert’s extensive product line means you can often find Solera awning components and accessories for almost any application.
Awning installation ranges from straightforward to complex, depending on the awning type and your RV’s construction. Understanding installation requirements helps you decide whether to tackle installation yourself or hire a professional.
Patio awning installation requires mounting the awning rail to your RV’s sidewall, which involves locating wall studs or other structural members, drilling mounting holes, and securing the rail with appropriate fasteners. The awning arms then attach to the rail, and the fabric is installed. This is a job that experienced DIYers can handle, but it requires proper tools, careful measurement, and attention to detail to ensure the awning is level and properly secured.
Slide topper installation is generally more complex, as the awnings must be precisely positioned above the slideout and properly tensioned to function correctly. Professional installation is often recommended for slide toppers to ensure proper operation and to avoid damage to your RV’s roof or slideout mechanism.
Awning room installation is typically straightforward, as these accessories attach to your existing awning using built-in attachment points. Most RVers can install awning rooms themselves with no special tools or skills required.
Choosing the right awning involves balancing multiple factors: your RV type and size, how you camp, your budget, and what features matter most to you.
For weekend warriors and occasional campers: A quality manual awning with basic features provides excellent value. Focus on durable construction and proper sizing rather than advanced features you may not use often.
For frequent campers and full-timers: Electric operation and advanced features like automatic retraction and LED lighting provide convenience that justifies their higher cost. Consider awning rooms and side shades to create a more complete outdoor living space.
For RVs with slideouts: Slide topper awnings like the Lippert Solera are essential for protecting your investment and preventing slideout problems.
For hot climates and sun protection: Choose awnings with longer projections and consider adding side shades like the Carefree SideBlocker for maximum sun protection.
For buggy areas: Awning rooms like the Carefree Vacation’r Room create comfortable, insect-free outdoor space.
A quality RV awning is an investment that pays dividends every time you camp. Take the time to carefully consider your needs, measure properly, and choose an awning system that will provide years of shade, protection, and outdoor enjoyment.
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I’m Bill Rowell, the founder of RVupgrades.com. In 2002, I launched the business to help fellow RV enthusiasts find unique and hard-to-find products. Over the years, it’s grown to offer more than 15,000 items, with a warehouse in Eastlake, Ohio. Having owned and repaired nearly every type of RV, I bring over two decades of hands-on experience to the table. For me, this isn’t just a business – it’s a passion and a way of life that I love sharing with the RV community.
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