Awning; Vinyl or fabric?

vcrt · 05-01-2012, 05:19 AM

Our vinyl awning is 20 years old and will need to be replaced in the not-too-distant future. I've cleaned it many times, but vinyl absorbs certain stains and they do not come out after awhile. Does this happen with fabric? Can anyone give a comparison for the two?
Thanks,
Rich

**JohnB** · 05-01-2012, 05:55 AM

Rich,

Is your camper stored inside or out? 20 years on an Awning, wow!!!

Ours is going to need to be replaced real soon. The up top part by the roller is sun baked and crumbling. The awning repair tape helped but now even it is cracking??? I did not have this camper since new and the camper lived outside the 1st 2 years with no 303 UV protection on it and I think that helped accelerate the break down. The rest of the awning is fine but the top 12 inches is shot.

I will be interested in the responses you get. I have heard this:

Watch out on the vinyl as there are different layers/thickness you can buy. Something about 1 layer verses 2. Two layers being the original on the TT and they ended up getting a 1 layer not knowing to ask for a 2 layer and it was thinner.

The fabric, I have heard both sides on this one. They either love it and will not go back to vinyl or they hate the fabric and want to go back to vinyl when it wears out…

vcrt · 05-01-2012, 01:10 PM

Hi John,
I work with vinyl every day and my experience has been that the vinyls that were available 20 years ago were better than what is made today. Go back 40 years and it was even better, so that might explain why it's lasted this long. Our Sunline sits out in the backyard getting all of the sun and weather, but since it is rolled up most of the time, the sun really isn't too much of an issue (except for, as you said, the top 12" which is always exposed), it's the water that seeps in and causes stains. I tried to block the infiltration of water, but didn't have much success. That's why I'm trying to find out if maybe an awning fabric might be a better alternative.
Thanks,
Rich