Slide awning in rain question? 2024 Vita

[raoaks]

Hi, on our Winnebago 2024 Vita, there is an awning that rolls out to cover the slide when fully extended out. This awning, when rolled out collects rain water. It bags down when fully extended and full of water and the cover is waterproof so water just stays in it. At home, I just get out my 10 foot step ladder and sweep the water out with a push broom. My question is what to do when we are on the road, camped, and it rains a bunch? Does it hurt to pull the slide in and just let the water find its way out when awning rolls up? Thanks in advance.

 

[Waterbug]

Hi, on our Winnebago 2024 Vita, there is an awning that rolls out to cover the slide when fully extended out. This awning, when rolled out collects rain water. It bags down when fully extended and full of water and the cover is waterproof so water just stays in it. At home, I just get out my 10 foot step ladder and sweep the water out with a push broom. My question is what to do when we are on the road, camped, and it rains a bunch? Does it hurt to pull the slide in and just let the water find its way out when awning rolls up? Thanks in advance.

It is OK to roll in a wet awning or slide cover, but they should be reopened as soon as conditions allow. Wet awning materials can mold, which deteriorates their appearance and life.

 

[Bnystrom]

You can also pull down on an edge and guide the water off to one side.

 

[Morich]

I did not look at specifics on your RV, but if you have leveling jacks, it can be reasonably easy to raise or lower one side to get the water to drain off?
I don't like to bring in a bucket of water and hope it goes where I want it to get out!
Every time I trust nature, I get hurt!

 

[Stewies]

Hi, on our Winnebago 2024 Vita, there is an awning that rolls out to cover the slide when fully extended out. This awning, when rolled out collects rain water. It bags down when fully extended and full of water and the cover is waterproof so water just stays in it. At home, I just get out my 10 foot step ladder and sweep the water out with a push broom. My question is what to do when we are on the road, camped, and it rains a bunch? Does it hurt to pull the slide in and just let the water find its way out when awning rolls up? Thanks in advance.

We had the same issue, the awning didn’t seem to get tight enough after it filled with rainwater, we had to run the slide in and out a couple times and it tightened up.

 

[be happy]

I have never done this as it seemed to me to be over kill. Years back there was discussions on this. To help with the run off folks were taking blow-up pool toys and putting them between the top of slide and awning. This raised the awning to allow the run off.
Just another idea
Good Luck

 

[Pointyears]

Hi, on our Winnebago 2024 Vita, there is an awning that rolls out to cover the slide when fully extended out. This awning, when rolled out collects rain water. It bags down when fully extended and full of water and the cover is waterproof so water just stays in it. At home, I just get out my 10 foot step ladder and sweep the water out with a push broom. My question is what to do when we are on the road, camped, and it rains a bunch? Does it hurt to pull the slide in and just let the water find its way out when awning rolls up? Thanks in advance.

I've never done this on my Vita but I remember reading somewhere that you could angle the awning. In rain I'd do that.I'd do that so the water wouldn't pool and would run off constantly because the weight of the water is a stressor on it. And, as Waterbug (how appropriate) said, run it out and let it dry out as soon as you can if you rolled it up wet.

 

[bigbAZ]

My Via does that as well, I'll just reach up with a broom and lift it to drain off most of the water then put the slide in. As soon as reasonably possible I will put the slide back out to let everything dry.

To be clear, we are talking about slide toppers which to my knowledge have no angle adjustments like the main awning.

.

 

[Pointyears]

My Via does that as well, I'll just reach up with a broom and lift it to drain off most of the water then put the slide in. As soon as reasonably possible I will put the slide back out to let everything dry.

To be clear, we are talking about slide toppers which to my knowledge have no angle adjustments like the main awning.

Jeez, I was totally thinking awning. Sorry.

 

[Bones2003]

My 2021 Vista has 2 slideouts with retractable awning covers on them. Both covers collect water when they are extended and it rains. When this happens and I need to retract the slides, I just bring the slide in part way to let the water drain off. Then I retract it a little further to let it drain again. Usually, I can bring it in all the way after that. If I go too far, it will drain a lot off the front of the roller onto the side of the RV. (It only took one time for me to learn to make sure the windows on the slide are closed!) If I go in smaller steps, it will drain off the sides of the awning cover and usually not get the RV wet. This process also lets the awning re-tension itself after sagging from the weight of the water. It's amazing how much water collects on those awnings.

 

[RayIN]

Hi, on our Winnebago 2024 Vita, there is an awning that rolls out to cover the slide when fully extended out. This awning, when rolled out collects rain water. It bags down when fully extended and full of water and the cover is waterproof so water just stays in it. At home, I just get out my 10 foot step ladder and sweep the water out with a push broom. My question is what to do when we are on the road, camped, and it rains a bunch? Does it hurt to pull the slide in and just let the water find its way out when awning rolls up? Thanks in advance.

Sounds like the retract springs require tightening or lubricated. Mine only required lubricating with a spray can of Liquid Wrench to get them working properly; now I spray them annually. This water also rusts the bare metal spring coils.
As to draining away the pooled water, I just slowly retract the slide, about a foot at a time then wait perhaps 30 seconds for the water to drain off.
I always add a few oz bleach to my wash bucket when washing the RV; this kills all mold/mildew while having no negative effects.