Replacing Awning Fabric

[P&DZ]

Well it is time to replace our awning fabric, it has multirole tears along the connection to the slot on the camper wall and recently about a one foot section on the right edge has torn from the slot completely. The awing is a powered 16 foot Dometic , Model 895(x)0(x)(x).400. The hardware is in good working condition.

After watching a few “how to” videos I think I can manage the replacement. Now I need to purchase the replacement fabric.

I have found two on line suppliers, the first is RVAwiningMart.com. they offer a 4ply - 15oz vinyl with a 16oz weather guard and a 3 year warranty priced at $136.95.

The second is Shadepro who have several options. A Premium Grade Vinyl 13oz – 3 ply – 3 year warranty for $164. And a second option a Heavy Duty Vinyl 15oz – 3ply – 5 year warranty for $199. The CW price for the same Shadepro product is considerable more.

Does anyone have experience with either of these two suppliers and their products? Are there other suppliers I should be looking at? Are there things to watch out for when purchasing the fabric are during the installation?

[bsmith0404]

My guess is the fabric is probably the same or every similar worth both of the 15 oz options. These companies are most likely the distributors, not the suppliers of the fabric. The more expensive one has two additional years of warranty, that’s most likely what you’re paying for. Personally, I don’t see either one failing in 3 or 5 years. I’ll be replacing mine next year, it’ll be 10 years old.

Read reviews on each and see what people who bought them are saying.

[chuckster57]

You did measure center of arm to center of arm?

You want to buy a replacement fabric that has the “gimps” already in the fabric.
If I remember right the non motor end has a torsion spring that you have to pin.

[travelin texans]

I bought fabric for my slide toppers & a Vista Shade screen system from Shade Pro & very satisfied with their products & service.
Buddy ordered awning & topper fabric from, IIRC, Tuff Tops, it was good quality also.
Mine came with what they referred to as "welded seams" & my buddies were sewn, I have no clue is better. Mine were still in great shape 2 1/2 years later when I sold the 5er.
Both fabrics are fairly easily replaced with a couple people with ladders.

[Baldy]

For what it is worth: I bought a 15 ft ShadePro 13oz replacement last year and I'm satisfied it was at least as good or better than what it replaced. My son and I did the replacement with the camper on the street in front of my house. Pretty straight forward project

Mine did not have the torsion spring that chuckster referenced so make sure you know what to expect if you DIY.

[peanut]

Another vote for Tough Top Awning.
https://www.toughtopawnings.com/

[hawghauler]

I put one from RV awningmart on our old pioneer price was right had no issues. Intend to install there awning on our new to us raptor

[Lrpierce60]

Can I replace the original fabric that was a 1 piece with a 2 piece awning fabric? Thanks for any help.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Lrpierce60

Can I replace the original fabric that was a 1 piece with a 2 piece awning fabric? Thanks for any help.

Welcome to the forum

I suppose you could but the question is why?

[Lrpierce60]

I've been researching all types of awnings and the cheaper ones are the 2 piece sets. They also have more of the size that I need, which is 22'X10'.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Lrpierce60

I've been researching all types of awnings and the cheaper ones are the 2 piece sets. They also have more of the size that I need, which is 22'X10'.

When you measure for replacement fabric you measure center of arm to center of arm. A 22’ awning should have a fabric of approx. 21’ 3”. If you look the fabric doesn’t reach from arm to arm and doesn’t completely cover the tube.

[P&DZ]

Update on the fabric replacement. I bought the new fabric on line from RVAwningMart. I called them with a few questions before placing the order and they were very helpful. They offer free shipping and the fabric arrived in 3 days as promised. The quality of the vinyl fabric looks good, time will tell. With a bit of help from DW we were able to remove and replace in about 4 hours. The most time consuming was figuring out how to pin the torsion spring in the left arm assembly (a must do). I called Dometic tech support and they too were helpful. The tech sent me a full service and maintenance manual for my particular model. Once the pinning was accomplished the rest of the project went smoothly. One word of caution on this fabric, only the wall side and valance gimps are installed on delivery. The awning gimp needs to be pushed into its slot as part of the installation. I was fearful when I first realized this but it ended up not to be a problem Using a sufficient amount of silicon lubricant spray the gimp slid into the slot.

[chuckster57]

Glad to hear you got it. Next one-2 hrs. LOL

[P&DZ]

Hopefully this one lasts as long as the original and I may not have to worry about it.