The entire idea behind any retractable awning is to create sun kind of protection from either the sun, wind or rain. Motorhome owners have always looked for ways to create a little bit of shade from the elements. It is a great feeling to be able to sit outside and watch the sun go down after a long days travelling, and so the popularity of the motorhome awning has increased over the years.
Most of the modern camper vans and motorhomes now have these retractable awnings already fitted to the sides. You can also have them custom fitted if there is not one pre- installed by one of the many aftermarket companies out there, or even do it yourself if you feel you have the technical know how.
If you don’t want to spend any money you could just create your own awning by throwing a piece of fabric over a nearby support and then attach it to your motorhome. Various fabrics can be used such as basic canvas, cloth, polyester and vinyl. The amount of use your awning will get, and the weather conditions they may be subjected to should determine what type of material you should go for.
Good quality materials will last much longer than the cheaper kinds, and also offer more protection in the long run. There is an almost unlimited choice of colours and designs out there to suit any motorhome, and to suit all budgets as well.
The big advantage of a retractable awning is the simplicity and ease of use. The motorised versions are just about the quickest and easiest to use, but will be more expensive. Even so, the manual awnings are also simple to use. The roll up awnings are stored in a protective casing on the side of the motorhome when not in use. To release it, you just pull on the strap and it will extend out from the side of the vehicle. There will be sliding tracks to support and guide the awning out from the motorhome.
If you are looking for a retractable awning then make sure you look at the frame and the mechanism used to extend the awning. First and most importantly make sure they will fit your motorhome, but also look to make sure the torsion mechanics and the springs are protected. If they are not well protected then they will be exposed to the elements and can quickly corode, making them much more likely to fail and cause you problems in the future.
Stainless steel frames and the anodised aluminium frames will be more expensive, but will last much longer than plain old steel frames. The support tracks can also corrode, and this can stain the fabric of the awning, so make sure that these are made of good quality materials too.
The biggest problem with many retractable motorhome awnings is that they lack sufficient support on the edges when they are extended. This can cause real problems when it gets windy, as the sides will start to flap around. You will also find that these edges allow rain water to run into the middle of the awning roof when it rains, creating a large pool of water just above your head, and making it sag downwards, creating pressure on the support arms. You can buy a centre support for this, or buy de-flappers that will grip the awning and prevent it moving about.
These kinds of awnings are great if the weather is good, but we all know that is not always the case. The sun and rain do not fall to earth vertically, and so many people require protection from the side as well. The solution is a side curtain or panel that will protect you from this unwanted weather. Side panels or curtains are usually made from eather resistant materials such as PVC coated polyester, and are very good at blocking out the sun and harmful UV rays. The latest materials also allow some privacy, yet allow good visiblity through them.
If you find that the rain is blowing under the awning then you can even fit clear plastic side panels that will create an enclosed space and stop the rain from coming in. Some awnings have rain gutters already in place, but you then have the problem of falling rain water just beside you.
All in all, the choice of retractable motorhome awnings is huge, and they do vary a lot in quality and price. The main considerations are your needs, the ease of use and quality. Just make sure the awning will fit your motorhome first. Take the measurements beforehand. A lot of companies will even fit them for free at the many motorhome shows, or measure the dimensions for you. They will also give you the opportunity to get some good advice from fellow campers and industry professionals.