5 Best RV Awning Sunscreen Shade Attachments Nomads Swear By

You’ve found the perfect spot, leveled the rig, and rolled out the awning. The view is incredible, but that late afternoon sun is relentless, turning your coveted outdoor patio into an unusable heat trap. This is the moment every RVer realizes that an awning alone is only half the solution.

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Why an Awning Sunscreen is a Nomad Essential

An awning sunscreen is one of the most transformative, high-impact accessories you can buy for your rig. It’s not just about creating shade; it’s about creating a functional, comfortable outdoor room. This simple mesh panel dramatically expands your usable living space, giving you a porch that’s protected from the harshest sun and prying eyes.

Think of it as a multi-tool. It blocks up to 90% of UV rays, which keeps the area cooler and protects your outdoor furniture from sun damage. It also provides a significant privacy barrier, allowing you to relax without feeling like you’re on display in a crowded RV park. In a light breeze, it even acts as a windbreak, preventing your camp stove from blowing out or your paper plates from taking flight.

This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about efficiency. By shading the side of your RV, a sunscreen reduces the heat load on your rig. Your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard, saving you power whether you’re on a 30-amp hookup or trying to conserve your battery bank. For full-time nomads, that energy savings adds up, making a sunscreen a practical investment that pays for itself.

Tentproinc RV Awning Sun Shade: Top Value Pick

When you’re looking for a solid performer that won’t drain your travel budget, the Tentproinc shade is a go-to for a reason. It hits the sweet spot between quality and cost, delivering a durable product with all the necessary hardware included. You’re not just getting a piece of fabric; you get the stakes, bungee cords, and a storage bag, making it a complete, ready-to-use kit right out of the box.

The construction is surprisingly robust for its price point. The vinyl-coated mesh is resilient, and the double-stitched seams hold up to repeated setups and takedowns. For the average RVer who moves every few weeks and faces typical weather, this shade provides more than enough durability without the premium price tag of heavier-duty options.

What makes it a top value pick is its practicality. The grommets are well-placed, and the included bungees are the right tension for keeping the screen taut without putting undue stress on your awning’s roller tube. It’s a no-fuss, reliable solution that does exactly what you need it to do, which is why you see them everywhere from state parks to boondocking spots.

Carefree EZ ZipBlocker for Easy Installation

For solo travelers or anyone who values a quick and painless setup, the Carefree EZ ZipBlocker is a game-changer. Its defining feature is a two-piece design with a zipper. You leave a small starter panel in your awning’s roller tube track permanently, and the main body of the shade simply zips onto it when you’re ready to set up.

This completely eliminates the frustrating task of feeding a long, unwieldy panel into the tiny roller track every single time. If you’ve ever wrestled with a standard shade on a windy day, you know exactly how valuable this is. With the ZipBlocker, you can have your shade deployed in under a minute. It’s also fantastic for sudden weather changes; if a storm rolls in, you can unzip the main panel and store it away without having to retract your entire awning.

The tradeoff for this convenience is the zipper itself—it’s another potential point of failure. However, Carefree of Colorado uses heavy-duty marine-grade zippers that are built to withstand the elements. For nomads who move frequently, the time and effort saved far outweigh the minimal risk. It’s the best option for those who prioritize speed and ease of use above all else.

ShadePro Vista Shade for Maximum UV Protection

If your primary goal is creating the most protected, comfortable outdoor space possible, the ShadePro Vista Shade is your best bet. This product focuses on superior material quality, using a dense, tightly woven mesh that offers some of the highest UV-blocking ratings in the industry. This is crucial for desert camping or long-term stays in sun-drenched locations like Arizona or Florida.

The difference is tangible. Sitting behind a Vista Shade, you’ll feel a noticeable drop in both direct heat and ambient temperature. The dense weave provides excellent privacy while still allowing for airflow, preventing the space from feeling stagnant. This level of protection also extends the life of your gear, shielding your camp chairs, outdoor rugs, and even the side of your RV from relentless sun exposure.

ShadePro also pays close attention to finishing details. The reinforced edges with heavy-duty grommets are built for longevity. While it comes at a higher price point, you’re paying for top-tier materials and construction. For full-timers who spend months in the sunbelt, this isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessary piece of equipment for sustainable comfort.

Solera Super Shade: A Durable Lippert Option

Lippert Components (LCI) is a name every RVer knows, and their Solera Super Shade lives up to the brand’s reputation for robust, rig-integrated components. This is the shade for the RVer who wants a heavy-duty solution that feels like it came with the RV from the factory. The fabric is thick and the stitching is rugged, designed to handle the rigors of full-time travel and less-than-perfect weather.

The Super Shade often comes in multiple configurations, including options for side panels to create a fully enclosed screen room. This integration makes it a great choice if you plan to build out your entire awning space. Because it’s a Lippert product, you can also be confident in its compatibility with Solera awnings, which are standard on a huge number of modern RVs.

This is not the lightest or cheapest option, but it is one of the most durable. If you’ve had flimsier shades tear in high winds or degrade after a season in the sun, upgrading to the Solera Super Shade is a smart move. It’s an investment in a piece of gear you won’t have to worry about replacing anytime soon.

Camco SunShield: Best for Heat Reflection

While most sunscreens absorb and block light, the Camco SunShield takes a different approach by actively reflecting it. One side of the screen has a reflective, aluminized surface that bounces solar radiation away from your campsite. This makes it exceptionally effective at reducing heat gain, going a step beyond what a standard mesh screen can accomplish.

This reflective technology is a massive advantage in brutally hot environments. If you’re parked on asphalt or in a location with little natural shade, the SunShield can create a noticeably cooler pocket of air under your awning. It’s the difference between the space being tolerable and it being genuinely comfortable. It also provides 100% privacy, as the reflective surface is opaque.

The downside is that you can’t see through it, which might be a deal-breaker if you have a great view you don’t want to block. It’s a specific tool for a specific job: battling extreme heat. For nomads who spend their winters in the desert southwest, the Camco SunShield is an essential piece of survival gear for their rig.

Measuring Your RV Awning for the Perfect Fit

Getting the right size sunscreen is critical, and it’s where most people make a mistake. You don’t measure the roller tube or the awning arms. You must measure the length of the finished fabric of your existing awning.

Grab a tape measure and extend your awning fully. Measure the fabric from the left edge to the right edge. Don’t include the metal end caps in this measurement. Awning fabrics are sold in standard one-foot increments (e.g., 14′, 15′, 16′), so round your measurement to the nearest foot. That number is the "length" you’ll use when ordering your sunscreen.

Next, consider the "drop" or height. Most sunscreens come in standard drops from 6 to 10 feet. To figure out what you need, measure from the roller tube track down to the ground. Choose a drop that is slightly shorter than this measurement; you want the screen to be taut when staked out at an angle, not puddling on the ground. A little bit of space at the bottom is perfect for airflow.

Key Factors in Choosing Your Awning Sunscreen

Choosing the right sunscreen comes down to balancing your travel style, budget, and primary needs. There is no single "best" one for everyone. Instead, focus on the features that will make the biggest difference for you on the road.

Here are the key factors to weigh:

• Installation Method: Do you prefer the one-time setup of a zipper track like the Carefree EZ ZipBlocker, or are you okay with sliding a standard screen into the channel each time? Frequent movers benefit hugely from the zipper.
• Material & UV Protection: Are you in intense, direct sun for long periods? If so, a high-UV-blocking material from ShadePro is worth the investment. For more casual use, a standard mesh like Tentproinc’s is perfectly adequate.
• Opacity vs. View: Do you want to preserve your view, or is privacy and maximum heat blocking your top priority? A standard mesh offers a good balance, but for total privacy and heat reflection, the Camco SunShield is unmatched.
• Durability: If you’re a full-timer who faces varied weather, a heavy-duty option like the Solera Super Shade provides peace of mind. Weekend warriors can usually get by with a more budget-friendly model.

Ultimately, your choice depends on what problem you’re trying to solve. Are you fighting heat, seeking privacy, or just trying to make setup easier? Answering that question will point you directly to the perfect sunscreen for your rig and your adventures.

Your RV’s awning is the foundation of your outdoor living space, but a sunscreen is what truly completes it. By choosing the right one, you’re not just buying a piece of fabric; you’re investing in more comfort, more privacy, and more usable space wherever you decide to call home.