Tough Top Awnings — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about RV awning replacement fabric, installation, measuring, and ordering

GENERAL

No — we do not currently offer installations at our home facility. However, we maintain a list of trusted local installers. Visit our Installers page on our website or email us and we'll do our best to connect you with someone in your area.

We receive over 100 calls per day, so voicemail is common. Here's how we handle it:

•       Tyler is our primary phone contact and returns calls in the order messages are received.

•       We typically start each day with 10–15 voicemails from customers in different time zones.

•       All messages are returned within one business day.

•       Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9am–5pm PST | Friday, 9am–4pm PST

You can also find answers — including videos, color swatches, and ordering info — at www.toughtopawnings.com. Or email us at christie@toughtopawnings.com.

RV awnings are fabric panels supported by aluminum arms that extend from the side of your coach. They provide shade and shelter from the elements. Common types include:

•       Patio awnings — large awnings over the main entry area

•       Slide out toppers — cover your slide out rooms when extended

•       Window awnings — shade individual windows

•       Door awnings — protect your entry door

REPLACEMENT FABRIC

We use our own proprietary 18oz military grade coated vinyl — the same heavy-duty material used in the trucking industry. Key features:

•       100% waterproof

•       UV resistant

•       Mildew resistant

•       Made in the United States

•       Marine-grade stitching with waxed thread — built for saltwater environments and performs equally well in Arizona, Florida, or the Pacific Coast

No. We only use high-quality vinyl materials that are waterproof, UV resistant, mildew resistant, and designed to hold up in high wind and rain. Acrylic canvas is not waterproof, and we don't believe in selling a product that can't stand up to the elements.

•       All products come with a 5-year warranty

•       Expected lifespan: 10–15 years

Yes! Every replacement fabric ships ready to install straight out of the box:

•       New beading is included and already sewn in place

•       Double-stitched with marine-grade stitching

•       No extra prep work needed — just slide it in and go

There are two good reasons we leave the edges unsewn:

•       It's unnecessary. Our vinyl is strong enough that it won't fray or come apart. Sewing the edges is only needed when a manufacturer doesn't trust their material not to fray.

•       It actually performs better unsewn. Rigid edges cause the middle of the fabric to billow in the wind, creating unnecessary noise. Leaving the edges free allows the entire awning to move uniformly with the wind.

AWNING ISSUES

Pigment displacement is a cosmetic issue that can occur during shipping — it's not actual pinholes. Here's what's happening:

•       The vinyl is layered over a clear scrim (mesh backing). When the fabric is folded for shipping, the pigment can shift, making the scrim visible at the fold lines.

•       This is purely visual and does not affect performance or waterproofing.

•       The fix: Install the awning and expose it to sunlight. In 99% of cases, it corrects itself within a couple of weeks.

Important: Do not leave the fabric folded in the box for more than 90 days.

 
AFTER BEING IN THE BOX FOR 2 WEEKS

AFTER BEING IN THE SUN FOR 2 WEEKS

This is completely normal for a new awning. Here's why it happens and how to fix it:

•       Any fabric fresh from the sewing table has small needle holes where it was stitched together.

•       Over time, dirt and debris naturally fill those holes, stopping the seepage.

•       If you can't wait: Apply a small amount of super glue along the stitching to seal the holes immediately. Allow it to fully dry before retracting the awning or slide.

Water pooling is usually caused by a bend in the roller tube — even a 1/4" bow can cause the fabric to sag and collect water. Here's how to diagnose it:

•       Measure the distance from the edge of the slide to the roller tube at both ends and in the center.

•       If the center measurement differs from the ends, your roller tube is bent.

The pooling puts downward pressure on the fabric, which worsens the bend over time. Increasing spring tension can help reduce sagging but won't fully correct a permanently bent tube.

The only permanent fix is replacing the roller tube — or raising the channel on the coach side, which is rarely practical for most RVers.

If your roller tube doesn't have a small hole in the end cap, look for a channel that runs the length of the roller tube on the side of the end cap instead. Here's the workaround:

•       Insert a long, thin screwdriver into that channel.

•       This acts the same as a stick through a wheel spoke — it locks the assist spring and prevents it from unwinding while you remove the fabric and hardware from the coach.

MANUFACTURE TYPES / HARDWARE

Yes. Due to the weight of our material, we are unable to make replacement fabric for the following Carefree of Colorado models — our vinyl is too heavy for their specific hardware:

•       Paramount

•       Mirage

•       Freedom

•       Apex

•       Freestyle

If you have one of these models, please contact us before ordering so we can point you in the right direction.

Unfortunately, no. A weatherguard cannot be added to an existing awning after the fact. To get one, you would need to order a complete new awning system — new fabric, weatherguard, and roller tube — directly from A&E Dometic or Carefree of Colorado.

Because we make your awning custom to your exact size — right here in the United States. Here's the difference:

•       Other suppliers: Their awnings are pre-made overseas in standard 6-inch increments. If you have an 18-foot awning, they send you 17'6".

•       Tough Top: You tell us your measurement, and we cut it to exactly that size. No guessing, no rounding, no compromising fit.

We typically turn custom orders around in just a couple of days using quality USA parts and labor.

SPRING TENSION

This must be done before installing new fabric — you cannot adjust spring tension after the fabric is in place. Here's the process:

•       With the slide fully extended, add 13–15 full rotations to the roller tube by hand.

•       The spring should feel firm but controlled — tight enough to hold the fabric taut, but not so tight you feel like it could get away from you with two hands on the tube.

Spring tension differs depending on your awning type:

Manual Pull-Down Patio Awning

•       Has 2 springs: a free-spinning spring on the left, a locking spring on the right.

•       Fully rolled up (stored): 8 rotations turned away from the coach on each spring.

•       Fully deployed: 14–16 rotations turned away from the coach on each spring.

A&E Dometic Electric Patio Awning

•       Has a free-spinning spring on the left and a motor on the right (no spring on right side).

•       Spring tension is the same as a manual awning: 8 rotations stored, 14–16 deployed.

Carefree of Colorado Electric Patio Awning

•       No springs in the roller tube at all.

•       End caps are simply screwed on — no spring management required.

INSTALLATION

The easiest way is to find our tag — it goes coach side facing down. If you're unsure, look for the tag and orient accordingly. When in doubt, give us a call.

Yes. There are two end cap styles, and the pinning location differs between them:

•       Standard style: Small hole on the outside of the end cap.

•       Alternate style: Small hole at the very end (tip) of the end cap, not the outside.

For the alternate style: use a backwards rivet, position the small hole at 12 o'clock, then insert the rivet to lock the spring in place before removing the bolts to unroll the fabric.

       

The SOK 3 end cap uses a push-pin system instead of screws. Here's how to remove it:

•       Locate the pins on the end cap cover.

•       Use a straight pick to press each pin in.

•       While the pin is depressed, pull the cover away from the end cap.

Reference photos below

 PHOTO 1    PHOTO 2       PHOTO 3      PHOTO 4      PHOTO 5

You likely have the Ascent package. This end cap style does not use screws — it also uses push pins. Here's how to open it:

•       Use a straight pick to press the spring-loaded pin at the location indicated by the red arrow in our reference photo.

•       While the pin is held in, rotate the cover away from the end cap.

See the Carefree Ascent end cap photo below for a visual reference.
SEE PHOTO HERE

The red arrows indicates where you will use a straight pick to push the spring loaded pin in. While it's pushed in, rotate the cover away from the end cap.

ORDERING / MEASURING

Model numbers are helpful for identifying hardware but can't be used to cut fabric — every coach is slightly different. Here's exactly how to measure:

Width:

•       Measure the roller tube from one side to the other (inside the end caps or inside the black cap).

•       Subtract 1.5 inches total (3/4" clearance per side) from that measurement.

•       That final number is the width measurement to give us.

Depth (roll-out depth):

•       Slide out extended: Measure from the side of the coach to the outside face of the slide room.

•       Slide out retracted: Go inside the RV and measure how far the slide extends out from the interior wall.

We handle the rest. Based on your width and depth measurements, we calculate and add the extra fabric needed for proper spring tension and wrap-around. Mass producers skip this step — we don't.

How do I measure for a slide out topper replacement? Can I just give you the model number?

•       Phone: 360.953.3299

•       Email: christie@toughtopawnings.com