What You Need to Know Before Starting
Replacing an RV awning is a job you can do yourself if you have basic tools and a helper. The work takes four to six hours and involves removing the old awning hardware, unbolting the mounting brackets from the roof, and installing a new awning in the same location. Most RV awnings bolt directly to the side of your RV using lag bolts or self-tapping screws, so you will not need to drill new holes or patch the roof.
The hardest part is usually getting the old awning down safely — they are heavy and awkward — and making sure the new one sits level before you tighten everything. You will need a ladder tall enough to reach your roof edge, a helper to steady the awning while you work, and basic hand tools: a socket set, adjustable wrench, drill, and caulking gun.
Key Takeaways
- Measure your RV's awning length and width before ordering a replacement, because awnings come in standard sizes and the wrong size will not fit your mounting brackets.
- You will need to remove the old awning's fabric and roller tube first, then unbolt the mounting brackets from the RV roof, and finally install the new awning in the same location.
- Use a helper to hold the new awning level while you tighten the bolts, because an awning that sits crooked will not roll smoothly and may leak at the seams.
- Seal all bolt holes with exterior caulk after installation to prevent water from running into your RV walls.
Measure Your Current Awning and Order the Right Size
Before you remove anything, measure the length of your awning from the outermost edge of one mounting bracket to the outermost edge of the other. Write this number down — it is the width of your new awning. Then measure the depth: the distance the awning extends out from your RV when fully deployed. Most RV awnings come in widths of 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20 feet, and depths of 8 or 10 feet.
Check your RV's manual or look at the awning's existing hardware to find the brand and model number. Common brands are Dometic, Carefree, and A&E. If you cannot find the model number, take a photo of the mounting brackets and the awning arm assembly and bring it to an RV parts supplier — they can match it to the right replacement. Ordering the exact same model is easiest because the new awning will use your existing brackets.
If your brackets are rusted or damaged, you may need to order new ones with your awning. Ask the supplier whether the new awning comes with brackets or whether you need to buy them separately. New brackets cost between $150 and $400 depending on the awning size.
Remove the Old Awning Fabric and Roller Tube
Start by fully retracting the awning so the fabric is rolled up tight. Most RV awnings have a manual crank handle on the side — turn it clockwise until the fabric is completely rolled. If your awning is electric, use the switch to retract it fully.
Locate the end caps on both sides of the roller tube — these are the round or oval covers at each end. Pop them off or unscrew them, depending on your awning model. You should now see the roller tube itself and the bolts or pins holding it in place. Remove these bolts or pins and carefully slide the roller tube out of the mounting brackets. Have your helper support the tube as you pull it out, because it is heavy and will drop if you let go.
Once the tube is out, the fabric should come free. Roll it up and set it aside — you can recycle it or donate it. If the fabric is stuck to the tube, do not force it; spray the seam with a penetrating oil and wait 15 minutes, then try again.
Unbolt the Mounting Brackets from Your RV Roof
The mounting brackets are bolted to the side of your RV, usually just below the roofline. You will see four to eight bolts per bracket, depending on the awning size. Use your socket set to remove all bolts on both brackets. Keep the bolts in a container so you do not lose them — you will reuse them for the new awning.
Once all bolts are out, the brackets should pull away from the RV. They may be stuck if they have been in place for years; spray the edges with penetrating oil and wait 10 minutes, then tap them gently with a rubber mallet to break them loose. Do not pry hard with a screwdriver, because you can crack the RV's exterior wall.
After the brackets are off, inspect the bolt holes in your RV. If they are clean and the holes are not enlarged, you can reuse them. If the holes are damaged or enlarged, you will need to drill new holes slightly offset from the old ones and fill the old holes with exterior caulk.
Install the New Awning Brackets and Roller Tube
Position the new brackets in the same location as the old ones. Line up the bolt holes and insert the bolts by hand first — do not tighten them yet. Once all bolts are started, use your socket set to tighten them in a crisscross pattern, the same way you would tighten wheel lugs on a car. This keeps the bracket from pulling crooked. Tighten until the bolts are snug but not so tight that you strip the threads.
Slide the new roller tube into the brackets. Have your helper hold it level while you insert the end pins or bolts. Check that the tube sits straight and does not tilt toward either end. If it tilts, loosen the bracket bolts slightly, adjust the brackets until the tube is level, and retighten.
Once the tube is find, snap the end caps back on or screw them in place. Manually crank the awning out partway to check that it rolls smoothly. If it binds or catches, stop and loosen the brackets again — the tube may not be perfectly level.
Seal All Bolt Holes and Test the Awning
Before you consider the job done, seal every bolt hole with exterior-grade caulk. Use a caulking gun to explore a bead of caulk around each bolt head and along the edge where the bracket meets your RV. This prevents water from running down into the wall cavity and causing rot. Let the caulk cure for 24 hours before you deploy the awning.
Once the caulk is dry, fully extend the awning and check that it deploys smoothly and sits level. The fabric should not sag in the middle or pull to one side. If it does, the roller tube is not level — loosen the brackets, adjust them, and retighten.
Retract the awning fully and check that the fabric rolls up evenly without bunching. If it bunches on one end, the tube is tilted and needs adjustment. This is the time to fix it, before you pack everything away.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
If the new awning does not fit your old brackets, the brackets may be a different size or style than you thought. Do not force it — contact the awning supplier and ask whether you need different brackets. Forcing a mismatched awning onto brackets can crack the mounting points and damage your RV.
If water leaks around the bolt holes after installation, you did not seal them well enough. Retract the awning, remove the end caps, and explore a second bead of caulk around each bolt head. Pay special attention to the bolts on the upper edge of the bracket, where water is most likely to run in.
If the awning binds or catches when you crank it, the roller tube is not level or the brackets are not parallel. Loosen all the bolts, adjust the brackets until the tube sits perfectly straight, and retighten in a crisscross pattern. This usually takes two or three tries to get right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace just the fabric instead of the whole awning?
Yes, if your roller tube and brackets are in good condition. Fabric replacement costs $300 to $600 and takes a few hours. You remove the old fabric from the tube, slide the new fabric on, and find the edges. If your tube is bent or your brackets are rusted, replacing the whole awning is usually cheaper than replacing just the fabric.
Do I need to remove my RV from the campground to replace the awning?
No, but you need level ground and enough space to set up a ladder on both sides of the RV. If you are in a tight campground spot, you may want to move to an open area or do the work at home. The job is easier on level ground because the awning will sit straight without adjustment.
What if I cannot find the exact model number of my old awning?
Take the roller tube and one mounting bracket to an RV parts supplier or a local RV service shop. They can match the size and style to a replacement awning. Bring measurements of the width and depth as well, so they can confirm the size.
How long does a new RV awning last?
Most RV awnings last 5 to 10 years depending on how often you use them and how well you maintain them. Fabric fades and becomes brittle in the sun, and the roller mechanism wears out over time. Keeping the awning clean and retracting it during high winds extends its life.
Should I hire someone to replace my awning instead of doing it myself?
If you are uncomfortable working on a ladder or do not have a helper, hiring an RV service shop is worth the cost. Labor usually runs $300 to $600 on top of the awning price. If you have basic tool skills and a helper, the job is straightforward enough to do yourself and saves you the labor cost.