How to Replace the Fabric On A Dometic/A&E WeatherPro Awning

When our motorhome was about 11 years old, we found ourselves with a patio awning ready for replacement fabric. Being avid DIYers meant we wanted to learn how to replace Dometic WeatherPro awning fabric ourselves.

We’d already replaced several awnings and slide toppers with super-robust Tough Top Awnings material, so we knew we’d be using their quality fabric, which would hold up and look great for years. However, this was the first time we’d ever worked on a WeatherPro, so we were happy to be in Vancouver, WA at the time, where Tyler and Ray of Tough Top Awnings took the lead to show us how to do it right.

In this post, we’ll give you a step-by-step account of that process (and a video to boot) so that you can undertake this project if you ever want to do the same.

What You’ll Need to Replace Dometic WeatherPro Awning Fabric

Here are the tools you’ll likely need to replace your Dometic/A&E WeatherPro awning fabric:

• Locking Oil Filter Wrench 
• Cordless Drill 
• 25’ Locking Tape Measure 
• Silicone Spray 
• Utility Knife 
• Pop Rivet Tool 
• Pop Rivets 
• 11-Inch Cable Ties 
• 8-Inch Wire Cutters 
• 10-Inch Flat File 
• Torx Bit Set 
• Straight Pick Tool  (These are also available on the Tough Top Awnings website.)
• A couple of sturdy step ladders 

Note that the stepladder we carry on our rig is currently unavailable, so we’ve linked to a similar one above. But we do want to mention that it may take up more space on board your rig than our collapsible step ladder does.

We also highly recommend Tough Top Awnings fabric. If you decide to order this high-quality awning fabric, be sure to use our RVGEEKS coupon to save yourself some $:

Steps for How to Replace Dometic WeatherPro Awning Fabric

To replace your Dometic/A&E WeatherPro awning fabric, take the following steps:

Pin the Spring

Start by extending the awning several inches so the hole at the left end of the roller tube faces outward away from the RV. If needed, roll the awning in or out a small amount until you can see daylight straight through the hole.

Insert a straight pick into the hole of the roller tube, which will pin the spring.

Unplug the Motor Wires

At the other end of the awning, pop off the metal cover at the top of the arm and unplug the wires that power the motor.

Remove the Bracket

Back on the rear ladder, remove the cover at the top of the left arm, exposing the bolts that hold the arm in place. Be aware that there are nuts on the back of each bolt but they don’t require a wrench to remove because they’re locked in place in the narrow channel. So you can just remove the bolts and retrieve the two nuts from behind the bracket.

Remove the four screws that hold the bracket in place. There are two screws on each side. This is where you’ll need your torx bit. Lift the bracket out and set it aside.

Disconnect the Roller Tube from the Awning Arm

Push the left arm against the RV and secure it with a zip tie. Add a second zip tie just below the first. Now, remove the bolt that holds the roller tube to the awning arm.

Remove the Screw that Holds the Fabric in Place

While still on the rear ladder, remove the screw that holds the fabric in place on the side of the RV.

Replicate Steps 4 Through 6 on the Right Arm

Move to the front ladder. Remove the bolt cover and replicate the same steps you’ve just completed on the left arm.

1. Remove the two bolts
2. Retrieve the nuts
3. Remove the four screws (two from each side)
4. Lift out the bracket
5. Secure the arm to the side of the RV with two zip ties
6. Remove the bolt that secures the roller tube to the awning arm
7. Remove the screw that secures the fabric in place on the side of the RV

Remove the Roller Tube and Unroll the Fabric

With one person on each ladder, lift both ends of the roller tube out of the arms and begin unrolling the fabric down the side of the RV. Make sure to hold the roller away from the body of the RV, and use a soft cloth to protect the paint job as needed. Be sure that both you and your helper are very careful descending the ladders as you unroll the fabric from the tube on the way down.

Remove the Motor

Drill out the rivet on the right side of the roller tube at the front of the RV. Before removing the motor, use a felt-tip marker to make two small dots on the cap and roller so you can reassemble them the same way they were.

Now slide the motor out the end of the tube and set it aside.

Mark the End of the Tube

Make two marks at the end of the tube: “A” for awning and “V” for valance next to their respective tracks. This is how you’ll know which track is for the awning and which is for the decorative valance. When you’re done, the marks will be covered by the end caps, so they won’t be visible.

Remove the Roller Tube & Awning Fabric From the RV

With a helper holding the fabric at the front of the RV, pull the roller tube out toward the rear. Now you can slide the entire awning and protective metal wrap off the side of the RV. Place the metal wrap upward to protect it from scratching.

Remove the Awning Fabric from the Metal Wrap

Flip the wrap over and use a razor knife to cut the first foot or so of fabric. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to spread the metal where the manufacturer crimped the fabric into place. You’ll need to do this on both sides and at both ends of the wrap.

With a helper holding the far end of the fabric, pull the metal wrap completely off the fabric.

Install the New Awning Fabric Onto the Metal Wrap

Use your old awning fabric as a tarp to lay out your new awning fabric. Lay the wrap upside down and use a screwdriver to gently spread the openings in the tracks. Use a file to remove any sharp edges.

Lubricate both tracks with silicone spray. Start the beads onto the end of the wrap and carefully slide the fabric all the way onto it. Once it’s on completely, check to be sure it’s perfectly centered.

Flip the wrap upside down again and use your wire cutters to re-crimp both ends of both tracks.

Install the Wrap with the New Awning Fabric Onto the RV

Lubricate the track on the RV with your silicone spray. Start the bead of the awning wrap into the track and slide it all the way in. Center it between the two awning arms. In preparation for installing the roller tube, clip all four ends of the black bead cord to about 3/4 of an inch.

Install the Roller Tube

Grab your roller tube and start feeding the bead cords into the end of the awning at the rear of the RV. Remember to put the bead in the awning side into the track marked “A” and the bead on the valance side into the track marked “V.” Slide the tube all the way in until it comes out the other end of the fabric.

Reinstall the Motor

Insert the motor into the front end, making sure to align the two dots you made earlier. Use your pop rivet gun to install new rivets in all three holes, securing the motor to the end of the roller tube.

Center and Roll Up the New Awning

Center the fabric between the end caps by checking on both sides to make sure you have the same amount of distance from the cap to the awning material. With one person at each end, begin rolling the awning up onto the roller tube, carefully climbing the ladders as you go.

Install Your New Awning

Place both ends of the tubes back into the top of the arms. Install the screw that holds the roller tube to the front arm and remove the two zip ties. Plug the motor back in and clip the protective cover back in place over the plug and wires. Drop the bracket back into the top of the front awning arm and replace the four screws, two on each side of the arm.

Holding the nuts in place behind the bracket, reinstall the main bolts. Again, you can see the channel on the back that holds the nuts in place allowing you to tighten the bolts without a wrench. Now snap the bolt cover back in place.

On the other ladder, repeat the same process.

1. Install the bolt that holds the roller to the awning arm.
2. Remove the zip ties.
3. Drop the bracket back into the top of the rear awning arm.
4. Install the four screws.
5. Install the main bolts.
6. Install the bolt cover.

You can now remove the straight pick and extend the awning.

If the fabric is centered correctly between the awning arms, it should lay pretty flat and smooth, although it might take a little time for it to settle into place so that any wrinkles smooth out.

When you close the awning, the arms should fall directly into place. If they don’t, slide the fabric a little forward or backward on the side of the RV until they do.

Once you’ve run the awning in and out a few times to confirm that everything is lined up, you can replace the two screws at each end that keep the fabric from sliding out of place.

If you’d like to follow along with us as we replace the fabric on our Dometic WeatherPro awning, check out our video:

You may also be interested in our posts on RV slide topper replacement, installing an RV window awning, Dometic awning fabric replacement, window awning replacement, and A&E/TwoStep awning replacement. You may also be interested in our post on how to repair or replace a failed Dometic Oasis Elite door awning motor.

Have a Carefree of Colorado patio awning? Read our dedicated article: Carefree Awning Fabric Replacement: Manual/Powered + Soft Connect

Or you can read all about replacing Carefree of Colorado Slide Topper fabric. 

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