20-Foot RV Awning Complete Kits: What They Include, How They Work, and What to Know Before You Buy

If you're shopping for a 20' RV awning complete kit, you're likely trying to replace a worn-out awning or upgrade an older manual unit. Understanding what's actually in a complete kit — and what varies from one product to the next — saves you from surprises during installation or first use.

What Is a 20' RV Awning Complete Kit?

A complete awning kit is designed to give you everything needed to install a functional awning on your RV without sourcing parts separately. For a 20-foot unit, this typically means coverage spanning approximately 20 feet of your RV's side wall — one of the more common sizes for Class A motorhomes, fifth wheels, and larger travel trailers.

The word "complete" matters. Not all kits include identical components, and the term isn't standardized across manufacturers.

What's Typically Included

Most complete 20' awning kits contain:

Manual kits typically also include a crank or pull rod. Electric kits add a motor, control switch wiring, and sometimes a remote receiver. Some kits include a pitch adjustment feature; others hold a fixed angle.

What's often not included: sealant, drill bits, mounting brackets specific to certain wall profiles, and any replacement straps or tie-downs for wind.

Manual vs. Electric: The Biggest Variable

The choice between a manual 20' awning and a motorized (electric) awning shapes both installation complexity and long-term use.

• Manual kits are simpler mechanically, generally lower cost, and easier to repair in the field. You extend and retract by hand using a crank rod. They're common on mid-range travel trailers and fifth wheels.
• Electric kits use a 12V DC motor built into one end of the roller tube. Retraction is push-button, which is a meaningful convenience on a 20-foot span. Wiring must run to your RV's 12V system, adding installation steps.

🔧 On a 20-foot awning, the fabric and hardware assembly is heavy — typically 40 to 70+ pounds depending on materials — so motorized operation isn't just a luxury; it reduces physical strain and the risk of fabric damage from uneven manual deployment.

Fabric Type and Material

Awning fabric falls into two broad categories:

Vinyl fabric is waterproof, easier to clean, and resists mildew better in wet climates. It's heavier and can trap heat underneath.

Acrylic fabric is woven (not solid), which allows some airflow and feels cooler under direct sun. It's water-resistant but not fully waterproof — water beads and runs off rather than pooling, but sustained rain can seep through.

Some kits specify solution-dyed acrylic, which holds color better under UV exposure over time.

For a 20-foot span, fabric weight and tension matter more than on shorter awnings. Sagging, pooling water, and wind flutter are all more pronounced at this length.

Mounting and Compatibility

🚨 This is where many buyers run into trouble. RV walls vary in construction: fiberglass, aluminum skin over wood framing, or aluminum skin over steel framing. Awning arms attach to the wall at specific points, and not every kit mounts the same way.

Key compatibility questions before purchasing:

• What is your RV wall material and thickness? Some mounting brackets require solid backing behind the skin.
• What is the exact distance between your existing mounting points? A 20' awning kit is designed for a specific rough opening range.
• Are you replacing an existing awning? If so, matching the roller tube diameter and arm attachment style to your existing hardware simplifies installation considerably.
• Is your existing mounting hardware staying? Some kits are fabric-and-tube-only replacements; others include full arm-and-hardware sets.

Replacement kits (fabric only, or fabric and tube) are simpler installs. Full kits requiring new arm mounting demand more prep work and often two people for safe installation.

What Affects the Cost Range

Prices for 20' complete awning kits vary widely — from roughly $300 on the low end for basic manual vinyl setups to $800–$1,500+ for motorized kits with acrylic fabric and integrated LED lighting. Regional availability, brand, and whether you're buying direct or through an RV parts retailer all influence what you'll pay.

Installation labor (if you go to an RV service shop rather than DIY) adds to that figure. A 20-foot awning install can take two to four hours depending on configuration, shop rates, and whether any wall repair or backing work is needed.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

A motivated DIYer with basic tools can install most complete kits. Manufacturers typically provide installation instructions, and many publish video guides. That said, a 20-foot awning is unwieldy — a second person is nearly essential, and improper mounting can stress the wall or cause the awning to fail under wind load.

If your RV is still under manufacturer or extended warranty, confirm whether DIY installation affects any coverage before you start.

The Variables That Shape Your Specific Outcome

No two 20' awning kit purchases land the same way. The right kit depends on your RV's wall construction, your existing hardware configuration, whether you want electric operation, what climate you camp in, and how much of the work you're doing yourself.

The fabric type that makes sense in the Pacific Northwest (drier acrylic may struggle; vinyl holds up better) differs from what works in the Arizona desert (vinyl can get uncomfortably hot underneath). Your RV's wall profile determines which mounting hardware actually fits. Your budget and mechanical comfort level determine whether a full kit with motor is realistic or whether a simpler manual replacement makes more sense.

Those details live with your rig and your situation — not on a product listing.