Types of RV Awnings & How to Choose the Best One for Your RV

The right awning can transform your comfort while out on the road with your RV. It’s not much that it’s so much about shade but about extending that living space and staying dry, even keeping the RV cooler when it gets hot and pouring rain. But there are a myriad styles of awnings to choose from and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Manual or electric? Fixed or retractable? We’ll explore the different types of RV awnings and provide you with a general sense of what to look for in an awning, depending on your camping style.

1. Understanding RV Awning Types

There are many different RV awnings to choose from for your rig, and each style serves a different purpose that can be beneficial depending on the way you spend your life on the road. Recognizing the distinction can save headaches later.

Manual Awnings: These are the traditional ones that you extend with your hand and then lock into place with support arms. They’re also cheaper and don’t require electricity. They are slightly more complicated to setup, but overall these do give good reviews for reliability.

Electric (Powered) Awnings: These awnings are motorized, meaning they open and close with the touch of a button. Some can even include wind sensors with automatic closing of the awning if it becomes too blustery. They are comfortable and user-friendly – and ideal for solo travellers and those with limited mobility. But they are pricier and rely on your RV’s power system.

Retractable Awnings: You can find these with both the manual and the electric operation. The best part: They roll up nicely when not in use. If you want all that, they’re good. Or some can fold into a case that mounts to the wall of your RV and gives some extra protection from the weather.

Fixed Awnings: These aren’t designed to move in the slightest, typically installed over doors and windows. They’re also a steady source of shade (and some rain coverage) but they can’t be adjusted or stored away. Mounted awnings suit those who park in long-term or full-time arrangements best.

Slide-out Awnings: These small awnings extend over your slide-outs and prevent leaves, water, and debris from building up. You don’t sit under these ones, but they do help to keep the moving parts of your RV protected.

That there are these options exists helps you to think about what, in the way that and the place you travel, it’s best to chose.

2. Choosing the Right Awning for Your Needs

Given the range of different types of awnings available, choosing the right one is more about how you use your RV and what’s most important to you. Ask yourself some simple questions to get started.

How often are you traveling and parked? If you move a lot, consider a retractable electric awning to save time and effort. It opens and closes with a swiftness and can be stored neatly. But if you’re prepared for long stays at campgrounds, a manual or even a fixed awning might work well enough. They’re sturdy and once they’re out they can stay out for weeks.

Do you cherish ease of use or low maintenance? Electric awnings couldn’t be any easier to operate, but with that simplicity comes more moving parts, and more opportunity for things to break. Manual awnings take a bit of muscle, but they are easy and rugged. If you’re handy and don’t mind some effort, the manual type may be right for you.

How much shade or coverage are you looking for? Some awnings are larger than others and some include side panels as optional extras for extra privacy and protection. For camping in hot or rainy regions, find models with UV protection and water resistance.

What’s your budget? Manual awnings tend to be the least expensive. Electric and high-tech models with wind sensors or LED lighting cost more, but they add convenience. Be sure the price fits your real needs not what’s cool.

The best awning, in the end, is one that can accommodate your lifestyle and not just your RV. But if you take the time to consider how you’ll actually use them, you can avoid feeling any regret down the road.

3. Budget and Brand Considerations

Price and brand are a couple of things that most people immediately consider when purchsing an RV awning. And for good reason. Direct exposure to the sun can destroy many materials but you can avoid this issue with an awning. Awnings aren’t a small investment, though, so you’ll want one that lasts without breaking the bank.

Establish a realistic budget: The cheapest basic manual awnings generally start at a few hundred dollars. And if you’re adding upgrades such as an electric motor, LED lighting or wind sensors, the price can jump in short order to over a thousand. Before you shop, determine what you really need. For instance, if you know you’ll be camping in fair weather most of the time, you can probably do without the wind sensor, and save some money. (Picture idea: manual vs. electric awnings with a chart regarding price comparisons and features).

Don’t Just Get the Cheapest: One It may seem easiest to snatch the lowest-cost item you spy online, but cheaper awnings often have thinner fabrics, hardware. You may save money in the beginning, but you have the potential to have to replace it sooner or make ongoing repairs. I’d rather settle for a middle-of-the-road model backed by a strong brand than a deep discount model that won’t last.

Familiarize Yourself with Trusted Brands: Among these there are an assortment of trusted RV awning brands. These companies have been around the block for a bit and provide replacement parts and good customer service. That’s a good thing to remember if you should ever need repairs, since it’s easier to get help with a well-known brand.

Warranties and Support Take Note: Whether the awning comes complete with warranty. Even a warranty of 1 or 2 years can help provide peace of mind. Plus, check out how simple it is to acquire replacement parts. There are some brands that make it easy to repair minor annoyances without removing and replacing the entire thing.

Paying a little more for a quality applicable now may save you from losing time, having a headache, and extra trips to the store in the long run.

4. Installation and After-Sales Support

Once you’ve selected your awning, the next major task is getting it installed and knowing where to turn if something goes wrong down the line. Most RVers don’t know how much quality installation and post-sale service really matters, but it can really make or break your experience.

DIY or Professional Installation? While some RV awnings can be relatively simple for a reasonably assured do-it-yourselfer to install, manual or otherwise, with a basic set of tools and a friend, others are best left to the pros. You’ll need to drill into the wall of the RV, fasten the mounting brackets, and align everything carefully. Electric models generally need to be wired into your RV’s power system, on the other hand. If that doesn’t feel like your comfort zone, summon a pro. A bad application can sag, leak, and sometimes even pull away while driving.

Check What’s Included: Before you buy, find out whether the awning includes a complete mounting kit. Some have it all — brackets, arms, screws and directions. And others may skimp on some important details that could slow you down or add unexpected costs.

After-Sales Support Counts: Good after-sales service isn’t only about fixing large problems—it’s also about being there to answer your questions if you get stuck. Select a brand or company that provides easy-to-follow instructions, good customer service and readily-available replacement parts. Online reviews are often a great way to find out how companies really treat their customers after the sale.

Ask About Warranty Repairs: If something breaks while it’s under warranty, will the company send you a replacement part or pay for the labor? This information up front can save you some time if a problem does crop up.

Solid backing after you buy provides peace of mind and makes it easier to relax and enjoy your RV without worry.