Looking After & Storing Your Drive Away Awning

Dec 29, 2025

A drive away awning is a big investment, and with a little care it should last for many years. Most issues people experience with awnings come down to storage, packing away when wet, or general neglect rather than faults with the awning itself.

This guide explains how to look after your drive away awning properly, from day-to-day care on the campsite to storing it between trips.

General Care While in Use

Looking after your awning starts while it’s pitched.

A few simple habits can make a big difference:

Make sure it’s tensioned properly
A well-tensioned awning copes better with wind, sheds water more effectively and places less strain on seams.
Keep guy lines in place
Even if conditions seem calm, wind can pick up suddenly. Guy lines add stability and reduce movement.
Avoid unnecessary rubbing points
If fabric is constantly rubbing on sharp edges, roof bars or corners, it may eventually wear, adjusting the awning slightly can prevent this.
Ventilate where possible
Condensation inside an awning is normal, especially in cooler weather. Opening vents or doors occasionally helps reduce moisture build-up.

Cleaning Dirt, Sand & Mud

You don’t need to deep clean your awning every trip, but:

Brush off loose dirt and dried mud
Wipe away bird droppings or tree sap sooner rather than later
Avoid harsh detergents — clean water and a soft cloth or sponge are usually enough

If something stronger is needed, use cleaners designed specifically for tents and awnings rather than household products.

Packing Away – The Most Important Part

How you put your awning away makes the biggest difference to how long it lasts.

✔ Make Sure It’s Dry Wherever Possible

Putting an awning away wet is the most common cause of:

mould
mildew
bad smells
fabric deterioration

If you have to pack it away wet because of weather or travel plans, it isn’t the end of the world, but you must dry it out properly as soon as you can once you’re home.

✔ Shake Off Excess Water

Before packing away:

open doors
let air through for a few minutes if conditions allow
shake off standing water where possible

This helps reduce moisture trapped in the fabric.

✔ Fold, Don’t Force

Awning bags are designed generously, but don’t worry if yours never goes back quite “factory perfect”. Rough folding isn’t an issue; stuffing it in while soaking wet is.

Drying Your Awning After the Trip

If you’ve packed your awning away damp, make drying it at home a priority.

The best options are:

pitching it again in the garden
spreading it out in a clean garage
hanging sections somewhere well-ventilated

Make sure:
✔ both the outer fabric and inner areas are dry
✔ any bedroom pods or carpets are dried separately
✔ everything is packed away only when completely dry

Leaving moisture trapped is where most long-term damage begins.

Storage Between Trips

Once dry, store your awning:

somewhere cool and dry
away from damp garages or sheds if possible
off the ground rather than directly on concrete
out of direct sunlight when in storage

Avoid storing it compressed under heavy objects — giving it space helps preserve fabric integrity and coatings.

Looking After Zips, Poles & Air Beams

A few specific points:

Zips

Keep them free of grit and sand
If stiff, use tent-safe zip lubricant rather than forcing

Inflatable Beams

Avoid over-inflating
Check pressure occasionally on long stays
Don’t store while pressurised (deflate fully before packing)

Poles

Make sure they’re dry before storage
Check elastic segments occasionally

Reproofing & Waterproofing

Over time, any fabric can lose some water repellency.

If you notice:

water “wetting out” on the fabric rather than beading
more moisture sitting on the surface than usual

…it may be time to consider reproofing.

There are dedicated awning and tent reproofing products designed to restore water repellency. You don’t need to do this often — just occasionally when the fabric shows signs of needing it.

Winter Storage

If your awning won’t be used for months:

make sure it’s bone dry
store in a dry, ventilated environment
avoid lofts or sheds that suffer damp or temperature extremes

A simple check mid-winter isn’t a bad idea to make sure it’s still dry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few things that regularly cause problems:

❌ packing away wet and forgetting about it
❌ storing in a damp shed or garage
❌ forcing stiff zips
❌ ignoring mould spots when they first appear
❌ not tensioning properly on site

Avoid these and your awning will have a much easier life.