What Is an RV Awning Head Cover & Do You Really Need One?
Hey there, fellow road warriors! If you'vebeen around the RV world for a bit, you've probably heard whispers of all sorts of gadgets & accessories. One that pops up now & then is the "RV awning head cover." It sounds important, right? But what the heck is it, & is it something you actually need to spend your hard-earned cash on?
Honestly, it's a great question. You see all these bits & pieces on your rig, & it's tough to know what's CRUCIAL & what's just... extra. So, let's dive deep into the world of awning protection. We'll start with that specific little piece, the head cover, & then zoom out to the bigger picture of keeping your entire awning happy & healthy for years to come.
So, What Exactly IS an RV Awning Head Cover?
Alright, let's clear this up right away. An RV awning head cover isn't a cover for your entire awning. It's much more specific.
You know that bulky part at the end of your awning's roller tube? That's the "head." It's the housing for all the important mechanical bits. If you have a power awning, it's where the motor & gears live. If you've got a manual crank-style awning, it's where the crank mechanism is. These parts are pretty important, to say the least.
The RV awning head cover is the plastic shell—usually a front & a back piece—that snaps or screws together to protect that assembly. Think of it as the helmet for your awning's brain. Brands like Solera, which is part of Lippert, are major players you'll see when you're looking for these parts. You'll often find them for sale on sites like etrailer.com when you're looking for replacement parts.
The main job of this cover is to shield the internal components from the elements. It keeps out rain, dirt, road grime, & debris that could otherwise gum up the works or lead to rust & electrical issues. It's a simple piece of molded plastic, but it plays a key role in the longevity of your awning's mechanics.
Most of the time, you'll only ever think about your awning head cover if the original one gets damaged—maybe it gets brittle from the sun & cracks, or it gets smacked by a low-hanging tree branch at a campsite. So, in that sense, it's a replacement part more than an aftermarket upgrade.
The Bigger Picture: Protecting Your WHOLE Awning
Okay, so the head cover protects the motor. Got it. But here's the thing: the most vulnerable—and expensive—part of your awning is actually the fabric. Constant exposure to the elements is its mortal enemy.
This is where the conversation gets a lot more interesting. While a head cover is a specific replacement part, a full awning cover is a protective accessory that every RV owner should seriously consider.
Let's break down what your poor awning fabric is up against:
- The Sun (UV Damage): This is the silent killer. UV rays are relentless. They beat down on that rolled-up awning day after day, even when you're not using it. This exposure breaks down the fabric's fibers, causing it to become brittle, faded, & weak. The first few inches of fabric that are always exposed get the worst of it, which often leads to that dreaded peeling or delamination you see on older RVs.
- Rain & Moisture: Your awning is meant to handle a light drizzle when it's open, but when it's rolled up, water can still be a problem. If moisture gets trapped in the rolled fabric, it becomes a perfect breeding ground for mold & mildew. This not only looks & smells gross but can also eat away at the fabric over time.
- Wind: We've all seen or heard the horror stories. A sudden, strong gust of wind can catch an extended awning like a sail, causing catastrophic damage. But even when rolled up, wind can whip at any loose fabric, causing fraying over time.
- Debris & Critters: When your RV is parked, things fall on it. Pine needles, leaves, dirt, & bird droppings can accumulate on the rolled-up awning, creating a mess that can stain & degrade the fabric. Sometimes, little critters might even see it as a nice place to build a nest.
All of this abuse adds up. Before you know it, the stitching starts to fail, the fabric tears, & you're facing a hefty replacement bill.
Do I REALLY Need a Cover? Let's Talk Cost vs. Benefit
This is the core of the issue, right? Is an awning cover a necessary investment or just another thing to buy & store?
Let's look at the numbers. Replacing your RV awning fabric isn't cheap. Depending on the size & material, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $800 or more just for the fabric itself. If you have a professional install it, that cost goes up. And if the entire awning mechanism is damaged? A complete replacement could set you back anywhere from $800 to over $4,000.
Now, compare that to the cost of a protective cover. A good quality, durable awning cover might cost you between $50 & $150. When you weigh that small, one-time cost against the potential for a massive repair bill down the line, the math starts to make a lot of sense.
An awning cover is a proactive investment. It's like putting a screen protector on your new phone. You might not need it today, but it's a cheap insurance policy against a much more expensive problem tomorrow. It keeps your awning looking newer for longer, which helps with your RV's resale value, & it saves you the headache of an unexpected & costly repair.
The Different Flavors of Awning Protection
When we talk about "awning covers," we're not just talking about one single product. There are a few different types, each with its own pros & cons.
1. The Awning Head Cover (Revisited)
As we established, this is the plastic housing for the motor or crank assembly. You only really need to buy one if your original is broken. It's a critical part for protecting the mechanics, but it does nothing for your fabric.
2. Hard, Snap-On Awning Covers
These are a pretty cool & modern solution. They're typically made from a durable, UV-resistant polymer plastic & come in sections that you snap together over your rolled-up awning.
- Pros: They are extremely durable, wind-resistant, & offer robust protection from sun, rain, & impacts. They look sleek & are a "set it & forget it" solution since they can stay on while you travel.
- Cons: They can be a bit more expensive than soft covers & the initial installation, while easy, takes a little time.
3. Soft Fabric Awning Covers
This is the most common type of aftermarket cover. It's usually made of heavy-duty vinyl that wraps around your rolled-up awning & is secured with built-in straps or bungee cords.
- Pros: They are affordable, easy to install & remove, & do a great job of protecting the fabric from UV rays & water. They come in various lengths to fit your awning perfectly.
- Cons: They are typically designed for use when the RV is stationary & should be removed before traveling. They also can wear out over time themselves, but they're cheap to replace.
4. Built-In Weatherguards
Some higher-end awnings come with protection already built-in. You might see this called a "Weatherguard" or "Alumaguard." It's essentially a tougher, more durable layer of vinyl or even a thin aluminum wrap that becomes the outermost layer when the awning is retracted.
- Pros: It's integrated directly into the awning, so there's no extra work for you. It's always there, protecting the fabric.
- Cons: This is usually a feature you get when buying a new awning, not something you can easily add later. It also adds to the initial cost of the awning.
Materials 101: What Are These Things Made Of?
The material of your cover (and your awning itself) makes a big difference in its performance.
- Vinyl: This is the workhorse of the RV awning world. It's used for both awning fabrics & soft covers. It's completely waterproof, which is great for rain, & easy to clean. However, it doesn't breathe, so it's crucial to make sure the awning is dry before covering it to prevent mildew.
- Acrylic: Often found on higher-end awnings, acrylic fabric is woven, which means it's breathable. This allows moisture to escape & helps keep the area under the awning cooler. It's very durable & resistant to UV damage but is more water-resistant than truly waterproof.
- UV-Resistant Polymers: This is what the hard, snap-on covers are made of. This material is designed to be virtually indestructible, resisting cracks from sun exposure & impacts from road debris.
A Little Bit of TLC Goes a Long Way
Getting a cover is step one, but a little bit of maintenance will make it last even longer.
- Clean First: Before you put any cover on, give your awning a quick clean. A simple solution of mild soap & water works wonders. This prevents dirt from getting trapped against the fabric.
- Dry, Dry, Dry: This is SO important, especially with vinyl covers. ALWAYS let your awning fabric dry completely before rolling it up for storage or covering it. Trapping moisture is a recipe for a mildew disaster.
- UV Protectant Spray: For an extra layer of defense, you can use a UV protectant spray like 303 Aerospace Protectant on your awning fabric a couple of times a year. This helps shield it from sun damage & keeps it looking fresh.
- Respect the Wind: No awning or cover is invincible. If you know a big storm or high winds are coming, the safest bet is always to retract your awning. It takes minutes & can save you thousands.
Beyond Covers: The Ultimate RV Protection
An awning cover does a fantastic job protecting one part of your RV, but what about the rest of it? Your roof seams, tires, & paint job are all susceptible to the same sun & weather damage.
The absolute best way to protect your rig is to keep it under a physical roof when you're not using it. Of course, not everyone has access to a giant RV garage or covered carport. This is where thinking outside the box can really pay off.
For many RVers, long-term storage is a major expense & hassle. But what if you could find a safe, covered spot right in someone's neighborhood? This is where a service like Prked comes in. It's a pretty cool platform that connects people who have extra space—like a long, covered driveway, a large private garage, or a side yard—with people who need to store things, like an RV. You can often find a convenient & affordable spot to keep your entire RV out of the harsh elements, which protects your awning, your roof, your tires... everything. It's a great alternative to traditional storage lots, giving you peace of mind that your investment is being looked after.
On the flip side, if you're a homeowner with some extra space, you could even list your driveway or garage on Prked & earn some passive income from a fellow RVer. It's a win-win.
The Final Verdict
So, back to the original question: do you really need an RV awning head cover? Well, you definitely need the one that came with your awning. If it breaks, you should ABSOLUTELY replace it to protect your awning's motor.
But the bigger, more important takeaway is that you almost certainly need a cover for your awning fabric. Whether it's a hard snap-on cover, a soft vinyl wrap, or a full RV cover you found by getting creative with storage, protecting your awning fabric from UV rays & the weather is one of the smartest, most cost-effective things you can do as an RV owner.
It's a small, simple step that prevents a massive, expensive headache.
Hope this was helpful & cleared things up! Let me know what you think in the comments. Happy trails
