RV awning Fabric Guide: Does Heavier Weight and More Layers Really Mean Better?
Ⅰ."Heavier Fabric is Better，Thicker Fabric is Better!" Is that truth?
RV awnings are important equipment for expanding outdoor camping space and protecting against sun and rain. Customers tend to agree that thicker fabrics are more durable, but this is actually a misunderstanding. Under the modern textile technology background, fabric performance (such as UV resistance, waterproof level, and tear resistance) is not determined by weight or thickness alone.
For example:
Fiamma Air-block fabric weighs only 300-400g/ (8.8~11.8oz/oz/yd²), and achieves UPF 50 + sun protection through nano PVC coating and warp and weft weaving;
Awnlux 450-500g/㎡(13.2~14.7 oz/yd²)vinyl 6-layer structure fabric is lightweight and achieves 100% waterproof and 95% UV blocking.
Today’s RV applications emphasize lightweight design. Thicker fabrics not only increase installation difficulties, fuel consumption, and wind resistance, but also cause stuffiness due to poor breath ability, and are easily damaged by frequent folding, shortening the service life.
II. Basic Parameters of RV awning Fabrics
1. Awning Fabric Materials
Vinyl (PVC): common weights 13.5-16oz, waterproof, weather-resistant, UV-resistant, cost-effective, suitable for bad weather with high cost performance.
Acrylic: good breathability, extreme weather resistance, durable but expensive.
2. Core parameters
Fabric weight (GSM or oz/yd²): fabric weight per square meter, Material weight is usually measured in ounces per square yard("1 oz/yd² ≈ 33.9 g/m²"). The higher the gram weight, the thicker it is, but it does not directly determine the performance.
Layers: The layers refers to the composite structure of the fabric, which consists of a base fabric layer, a functional coating/membrane layer, a protective layer, etc., serving specific functional needs. Most RV awning fabrics have at least three layers, made of polyester fiber, coated with polyester (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film on the surface to prevent damage and fading, but some may have an additional layer of black polyester fiber inside to enhance the sun protection effect.
Weaving density: The density of warp and weft is usually measured by the number of yarns per inch (such as xxxT). The higher the density, the stronger the tear and puncture resistance.
Tensile strength: the ability to resist tensile fracture, the unit is”Newton/cm (N/cm)" or "pound/inch (lb/in)”, the higher of the value, the less likely it is to tear.
3. Processing process
Waterproof treatment: coating PVC, PU coating to achieve efficient waterproofing. PVC coating can achieve "complete waterproof“， suitable for heavy rain weather.
Anti-ultraviolet treatment: Add absorbent or cover UV film，UPF 50+ means blocking more than 98% of ultraviolet rays.
Anti-mildew and antibacterial: Add an anti-mildew agent or adopt a breathable structure, suitable for humid environment.
Tear-resistant enhancement: Built-in mesh cloth or composite structure to improve puncture resistance.
Ⅲ.Uncovering the truth: Does higher GSM means better quality?
Based on our research and analysis, the RV awning quality is influenced by the following five key factors.
1.More coating, more quality?
No, the coating only increases the weight of fabric to resist the mildew, leaking, it requires heat-sealed.The famous brand, Dometic, Carefree, Awnlux apply a Scratch-Resistant Coating to their RV awning fabric to help preserve color and protect surface ware over time. Or the fabric is faded or Transfers easily.,
2.Polyester
Leading brands like Dometic, Carefree, and Awnlux, made the fabric with 1000D High-Density Yarn,to ensure the fabric can resist high wind and Tear.But some RV awning vinyl fabric in the markets with 18 oz, it is heavy but lacks tear resistance due to loose weave, and Without proper embossing during fabric processing, the layers tend to delaminate and the PVC coating is more likely to peel off.
3.Function coating
When we’re out camping, the RV awning is our shield against the sun, rain, and even snow So the resist uv, mildew, low temperature is more important than fabric weight. A 15oz fabric which added UV protection will expand more life time than a plain 18oz one.
4. Overweight to the RV awning roller tube
The heavier fabric puts more pressure on the RV awning tube when roll the awning back, may shorten the awning’s life time.
5.Fabric processing
Most brand use sewing techniques to finish their RV awning fabric. especially on the top side ( for sail track), and valance on the market. However, the more stitches there are,the greater damaged to the fabric- each needle holes increase the risk of leakage and tear.
At Awnlux, they take a different approach. They weld the top edge (which connects to sail track) instead of sewing. the valance is stitched with only one loop, to reduce the needle holes, also ensure better RV awning tube compatibility, like Dometic, Carefree, Lippert ect.
Normally, it will take around $250-800, it depends on the RV awning brand and size. There are many cheap $50-80 but high weight fabric in the market. ,You could spends $50 on a new fabric,and another USD250 on installation, but tear after few months.Or invest $150 in a premium fabric that lasts 3-5 years. Which one is like a smarter choice.
Ⅳ.Comparison：Different brand’s fabric weight and price
|
BRAND |
WEIGHT |
Layers |
Function |
Size |
PRICE |
|
Dometic |
15-16oz |
6 layers 1st:Polyester Base Fabric 2nd/3rd :PVC coating on both side 4th:color painting 5th:UV/Fire/mildew resist coating 6th:Scratch-Resistant Coating |
100% waterproof 95% UV block Flame Retardant Mildew Resistant |
Sizes available from 8' - 25' Special size can be customized |
Start from $388.49 |
|
Carefree |
15oz |
Start from $356.99 |
|||
|
Awnlux |
13.5oz |
Promotion price Start from $99.99 |
|||
|
SUNCODE |
13.5oz |
10' - 20' |
Promotion price Start from $119.99 |
||
|
13.5oz |
Sizes available from 8' - 25' |
Start from $249.99 |
|||
|
Shadepro |
13-15oz |
4 layers 1st:Polyester Base Fabric 2nd/3rd:PVC coating on both side 4th:color painting |
Sizes available from 10' - 21' |
13oz. Start from $159.99 15 oz. Start from $205.99 |
|
|
Recpro |
16 oz |
$99-$165 |
|||
|
SUNWAVE |
15 oz |
$110-$150 |
|||
|
XENJUM |
18.5 oz |
$79-$134 |
|||
|
DULEPAX
|
16 oz |
$80-$150 |
|||
|
Kohree |
19oz |
$60-$96 |
Ⅴ. Awnlux testing standards for RV awning fabrics (taking the main RV awning fabric PVC 450g as an example)
The high-strength PVC RV awning fabric used by Awnlux is not only optimized in structural design, but also implements strict standards in raw materials, process and quality control to ensure its long-term and stable use in outdoor RV scenes.
The following test items are the core test indicators of Awnlux for the main RV awning fabric (450g/m², 6 layers):
|
Test items |
Test requirements (standard/value) |
|
Color fastness to rubbing |
≥ Grade 4 (tested in dry and wet conditions, in accordance with EN ISO 105-X12) |
|
Tear strength |
Warp > 29 N, weft > 63 N (in accordance with ISO 4674-1) |
|
Tensile Strength |
Warp/weft ≥ 650 N (in accordance with ISO 1421) |
|
Water pressure resistance |
≥ 5000 mm hydrostatic pressure (according to ISO 811) |
|
Flame retardant properties |
No flame spread to the edge of the sample, no perforation, no burning dripping (in accordance with ISO 3795 / FMVSS 302) |
|
UV anti-aging |
QUV accelerated weathering ≥ 500 hours, no noticeable fading, embrittlement or cracking (ASTM G154) |
|
Rewinding durability |
Simulate 2000 times of automatic expansion and contraction cycle test, no bubbling and deformation of the fabric |
|
Weight stability |
Nominal 450g/m², allowable deviation ±5% (in accordance with ISO 2286-2) |
Tips:
• If you need to meet North American FMVSS 302 or European fire protection certification (such as B1/M1), it is recommended to use customized flame-retardant PVC fabrics provided by Awnlux;
• All tests can be reported by third-party laboratories, such as SGS, TÜV, Intertek, etc.;
• Other types of fabrics (such as Oxford fabrics, HDPE, solar fabrics) will be tested separately according to different standards
Conclusion: Heavier weight and more layers really don't mean better for RV awning fabric
Through actual data and industry comparison, it can be seen that the performance of fabrics is not only determined by gram weight or number of layers, but also depends on the overall design ratio and performance in the real environment. In actual use, the gram weight should not be blindly pursued high, otherwise it may cause problems such as poor extension of the RV awning and shortened service life due to increased structural burden. Similarly, the number of layers cannot only be considered in numbers, but also whether the mildew-proof, waterproof, and UV-resistant functions are properly integrated. If there are too many layers and the process is not appropriate, problems such as peeling and poor air permeability may also occur.
For this reason, as a manufacturer focusing on RV awning, Awnlux focuses on launching a 450g/㎡(13.2 oz/yd²)six-layer structure of professional-grade RV awning replacement fabrics, which strikes a precise balance between lightness and toughness, and has excellent waterproof, mildew-proof, UV-resistant and tensile resistance. It has passed multiple industry standard tests and verifications and is widely used in mid-to-high-end RV platforms.