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Rainy trip, wet awnings

October 28, 2015, 08:16:24 am

We headed home yesterday with wet, rolled awnings. I know this happens but I don't like it.   

We have indoor storage but there is no room in storage to open the awnings to dry them out.

How much damage am I doing?

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Re: Rainy trip, wet awnings

Reply #1 – October 28, 2015, 08:29:54 am

I have left mine rolled up wet for a week or so, but I would dry them out as soon as possible. It doesn't take long for them to dry on a good day.

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Re: Rainy trip, wet awnings

Reply #2 – October 28, 2015, 08:40:57 am

I should be able to get them unrolled Monday.

Thanks Bruce.

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Re: Rainy trip, wet awnings

Reply #3 – October 28, 2015, 09:20:13 am

I have also wondered about this situation.  I actually avoid using the awnings in the rain, due to fear of having to stow them wet.  I did a quick Google search on the subject of "rolling up wet RV awnings", and got a whole bunch of vague information and warnings.

There were a lot of dire "NEVER ROLL UP THE AWNINGS WET - LET THEM DRY OUT FIRST" warnings, which are obviously ridiculous.  If you use your awnings anywhere it rains, or even where there is just heavy morning dew, you ARE going to have situations where you MUST roll the awning up wet.  To suggest otherwise is ludicrous.

Then there was the more reasonable sounding advice saying if you had to roll the awning up wet, then open it up ASAP and let it dry out.  But nothing specific about how long was too long (to leave it rolled up wet).  It seems there are many variable that come into play.  Like the fabric used in the awning - some are more tolerant than others of being stored wet.  So I guess determining what fabric is used in your awnings can be important in determining the potential effects of wetness.

Also, it is suggested that dirty awning material will degrade more quickly (when stored wet) than clean material.  Apparently the dirt and moisture combine to provide a fertile medium for the growth of mildew and mold, which will in turn weaken the awning fabric and thread.  So, keeping your awnings clean will help extend their life, especially in damp/wet conditions.

Finally, I found out some awning designs are better than others, especially at keeping water out when stowed.  Some owners complain that when they extend their (previously dry) awnings after driving through heavy rain, they find the material is soaked with water.  This is something I have never considered, and have never checked on our coach.  I may have been guilty of leaving my awnings rolled up "wet", and didn't even realize I was doing it.  I will check this next time (after) we drive in heavy rain!

Bottom line:  Keep them clean, try to avoid rolling up wet, if you must roll up wet, dry them out ASAP, hope for the best. 

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Re: Rainy trip, wet awnings

Reply #4 – October 28, 2015, 09:46:35 am

If you have to roll up wet that is what you have to do but as soon as is reasonable deploy them again and let them dry.  They dry quickly.  What you are trying to avoid is mildew or mold.  Those will be hard to get rid of once established and can lead to stinky awnings.

If we are leaving the next morning and it is likely to rain over night or in the morning we will roll up the awnings the night before. Actually we make most preparations for getting underway the night before anyway. Fewer surprises on travel days that way.

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Re: Rainy trip, wet awnings

Reply #5 – October 28, 2015, 01:40:47 pm

I generally don't use my patio awning in the rain.  In part because it is a Girard, and rather flat.  I had it adjusted, so it is more taught now, but in the past water tended to puddle (big time).  I do sometimes put it out a foot or two to keep the rain out of the doorway, but not for long.

The other "awning" that I frequently use in the rain is the slide topper.  That frequently dumps gallons of water when I retract the slide.  This is usually before driving somewhere, so I put the slide back out at the end of the drive so that awning can dry. When I get home, I keep the slide out until I have a dry day.

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Re: Rainy trip, wet awnings

Reply #6 – October 28, 2015, 01:48:28 pm

I've not had problems with the Zip Dee awnings in the five coaches we've had, and do roll the big guy down when it rains (I smoke, no comments, please). I've rolled them up wet (carefully) and let them down to dry when the rain quits.

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