The Search for a Quality Vintage Awning is Over!
A period-appropriate awning can make a good looking travel trailer a real show stopper. The problem vintage trailer owners face is that most awnings today just don't look right on a classic trailer.

If you've looked around, you know your choices are limited. Today, most awnings have horizontal rather than vertical stripes. That's just-plain-wrong for vintage trailers. In the middle of the 20th Century, trailer awnings had vertical stripes (or in rare cases, no stripes at all).

Some trailer owners install modern awnings with large metal arms permanently mounted on the trailer. They may be convenient, but they detract from the classic look that many vintage trailer owners love.

Finally, we have the solution. To meet the growing interest in period-appropriate trailer restoration, we're now offering gorgeous vintage-style awnings made with premium fabrics. Without a doubt, these are the finest vintage-style awnings available anywhere.

You're justifiably proud of your vintage trailer. After all your hard work, make the most of it with the right awning.

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What is a Pole & Rope Awning? And Would it be Original for My Trailer?
Vintage pole & rope awnings were used almost universally from the 1940s into the 1970s. They are installed only when in use and are taken down and stored when traveling.

The trailer-side edge of the awning is mounted by sliding one edge of the awning through the existing awning rail on your trailer. An awning rail is a C-shaped aluminum extrusion running the length of the trailer on the curb side above the door. If you do not currently have an awning rail attached, you can buy a "standard awning rail" at almost any RV dealer. 

In the old days, the awning edge had a rope sewn into its hem to give it the profile that would hold in the C-shaped rail. With ours, a plastic bead is sewn on the edge of the awning in lieu of the rope. The bead is a big improvement because the fabric doesn't touch the aluminum rail. The opposite outside edge of the awning is supported by telescoping aluminum poles, which are tethered to stakes.

A sure sign of whether your trailer should have a pole & rope awning is to see if it has an awning rail installed.

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Design of Our Awnings
Our awnings are period-appropriate, right down to the beautiful scalloped valances on three sides. Stripes always run perpendicular to the trailer in the true vintage style. All stakes, poles and ropes are included. The quality two-part aluminum poles are designed with strong locking mechanisms that won't collapse like cheaper poles do. Stakes are steel, and ropes include line tighteners to make set-up a breeze. Your awning will even include a vinyl storage bag with velcro closure to keep your awning clean and dry when in storage.

The Fabric
We scoured the earth looking for awning fabric of exceptional quality and also one woven in the colors and patterns of 1950s and 1960s awnings. We found the perfect fabric in Dickson^®. Dickson^® is made by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC, the same company that makes the well-respected Sunbrella^®; fabric. In fact, Dickson^® is the European version of Sunbrella^® and is a nearly identical fabric. It is a 100% solution-dyed acrylic, giving it bright, clear colors that appear the same from either side. In the solution-dying process, the color becomes an integral part of the fiber by being added when the fiber is still in a liquid form, giving the awning fabrics unbeatable colorfastness without fading or washing out. We love this fabric for its rich colors, soft feel, strength and water repellancy. We know you will too.

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How to Order
To order, measure the length of your awning rail and determine the awning width you would like. Keep in mind that bigger is usually better, but that very wide awnings can be a little more awkward to install. Because most awning rails are sized on even foot intervals, we have designed these awnings to be 3" narrower than foot intervals. This is in recognition that many old aluminum awning rails are damaged near the ends and may not hold the awning securely at the very ends.

Next, choose how far you'd like your awning to extend out from your trailer. It can be either 8' or 9' deep. In most cases, we think you'll prefer the extra depth of the 9' awning, but if you order a very narrow awning you might like the 8' depth for a more pleasing proportion.

Next, choose a color from the ten shown above. Don't ask us our favorite; they're all stunning!

Finally, measure the size diameter of your awning rail. Make absolutely sure the inside dimension is 3/8" so that the awning will fit correctly. If your awning rail is a different diameter, we may be able to have the awning custom made for you. Please contact us for additional information.

After you order, we send your custom color and dimensions to our awning maker. Awnings ship directly from the awning maker in approximately 5 to 6 weeks, depending on the season.

Our Guarantee
We guarantee you'll like the fit and quality of your custom awning. Upon receiving your awning, look it over and try it on your trailer. If it doesn't fit, or if you don't like the quality, send it back within 30 days. We'll refund your purchase price or replace it with another awning. In addition, Dickson^® awning fabrics are guaranteed by the mill against fade for a remarkable five years.

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• Fabric: 100% solution-dyed woven acrylic
• Weight: Approximately 9 oz. per square yard
• Finish: Perlgard XT27 Fluorocarbon/Resin
• Hydrostatic Resistance: 16 inches
• Shade Factor: 99%
• Flammability: Meets CA Tech. Bulletin 117, Section E
• Warranty on Fabric: Limited warranty for 5 years from date of purchase - fabric replacement only
• Warranty on Workmanship and Non-Fabric Components: Guaranteed fit and workmanship at time of awning purchase

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Cleaning and Maintenance of Your Awning Fabric One of the best ways to keep your Dickson^® awning fabric looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleanings is to hose fabrics off with clear water on a monthly basis when in heavy use. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply imbedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed only once every two to three years.

When it's time for a thorough cleaning, Dickson^® fabrics can be cleaned while installed on your awning rail.

When cleaning Dickson fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

• Always use a mild soap i.e. Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite. Never detergent.
• Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100 degrees.
• Air dry only. Never apply heat to Dickson^® fabrics.

If you are cleaning Dickson^® fabrics while set up on an awning rail, follow these simple steps:

1. Brush off loose dirt.
2. Hose down.
3. Prepare a cleaning mixture of water and mild soap (no detergents).
4. Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
5. Allow soap to soak in.
6. Rinse thoroughly.
7. Air dry.

If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains. The recommended special mixture is made up of:

• Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
• Two ounces (one-fourth cup) of mild soap.
• One gallon of water.

1. Clean with soft bristle brush.
2. Allow mixture to soak for up to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly.
4. Air dry.
5. Repeat if necessary.

Re-treating the Fabric
As part of the finishing process, Dickson^® fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard^® as the preferred re-treatment product for Dickson^® fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use.

Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard^®
303 HTFG should be applied to Dickson^® fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original fluorocarbon finish and reduces the fabric's water repellency. After cleaning the fabric, allow it to air dry completely and then apply 303 HTFG in a thin, even coat. After allowing the first coat of 303 HTFG to air dry, apply a second thin, even coating of 303 HTFG. Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 32-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 150 square feet of awning fabric. Always apply 303 HTFG to clean fabric.