Looking for a way to protect your RV’s slide out from the rain? You’re in luck—there are awnings available for this specific purpose.
While some campers claim that they’re not necessary, slide out awnings do an admirable job of protecting your RV’s extension from moisture damage. They’ll also keep other debris, such as pine cones and needles, off the roof of the slide out.
If you’ve decided to take the plunge, it’s important to make sure the awning will provide sufficient cover. Here’s a primer to help you get the proper measurements for your RV slide out.
How To Measure For RV Slide Out Awnings
- The first step is to measure the extension, being sure to include the flange in your measurement totals.
- Measure the facing width of the extension—that is, the portion of the slide out that sits parallel to the wall of the RV.
- To work properly, the awning should extend at least two and a half inches beyond the sides of the extension in either direction. The table below will help you determine which awning size you’ll need, based on your initial measurements.
| Slide Out Width | Awning Size |
| 56″-61.5″ | 66″ |
| 61.75″-68″ | 75″ |
| 68.25″-74″ | 78″ |
| 74.25″-80″ | 84″ |
| 81.25″-86″ | 90″ |
| 86.25″-92″ | 96″ |
| 92.75″-98″ | 103″ |
| 98.25″-104″ | 109″ |
| 104.25″-110″ | 115″ |
| 110.25″-116″ | 120″ |
| 116.25″-122″ | 128″ |
| 122.25″-128″ | 132″ |
| 128.25″-134″ | 138″ |
| 134.25″-140″ | 144″ |
| 140.25″-146″ | 150″ |
| 146.25″-152″ | 156″ |
| 152.75″-158″ | 162″ |
| 158.25″-164″ | 168″ |
| 164.25″-170″ | 174″ |
| 170.25″-182″ | 184″ |
| 176.25″-182″ | 186″ |
Measuring For Mounting Hardware
Finding out what size awning you’ll need is only half the battle. You also have to determine what type of mounting hardware is required for installation.
This process may vary somewhat, depending on the type of awning you invest in. To install the brackets, all you need to do is make sure the edges of the top and side flanges are properly aligned. You can use a level for this if necessary.
To install the awning rail, you’ll need to measure the rail first to determine where the center point lies. This will help you to position the rail correctly beneath the brackets.
Although the list of materials you’ll need may also vary depending on the brand, here’s a basic list to give you some idea of what you’ll be working with.
- Awning rail
- Awning fabric
- Roller
- Mounting brackets
- Striker plate
- Pin tab
- Assortment of screws—typically Tek screws (for mounting the brackets), pan-heads, flat-heads, and Hex Washer Head (HWH) screws for the fabric
- Plunger kit
If you’d like a practical demonstration before attempting to install the slide out awning, check out this YouTube tutorial. This demonstration will give you specific pointers on how to measure for the awning.
In Conclusion
Now that you know how to measure for RV slide out awnings, you can apply your expertise to any camper you might come across in the future.
While every RV is different, the basic procedure remains the same. That makes this skill an invaluable one in the world of RVs and travel trailers.
Best of luck, and happy camping!
Check out our article on: 8 Great Small Travel Trailers With Slide Out