6 Heavy Duty Snap Fastener Kits For RV Awnings Nomads Swear By
Secure your RV awning with a heavy-duty snap fastener kit. Explore 6 nomad-approved options known for their durability and easy installation.
There’s a sound every RVer knows and dreads: the frantic thwack-thwack-thwack of an awning panel that’s broken free in a surprise gust of wind. In that moment, a tiny, failed snap fastener becomes a very big, very expensive problem. Choosing the right hardware isn’t just about convenience; it’s about protecting one of the most vulnerable and costly parts of your rig. This is about moving beyond the flimsy snaps from a craft store and investing in the heavy-duty hardware that full-time nomads rely on to keep their canvas secure, no matter the weather.
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Why Heavy-Duty Snaps are a Must for RV Awnings
The forces working against your RV awning are immense. You have constant tension, the violent flapping from wind gusts, and the sheer weight of water pooling during a downpour. Standard snaps, the kind you might find in a sewing kit, simply aren’t designed to handle that kind of sustained, dynamic load. They will bend, pop open, or corrode into uselessness.
The real enemy, however, is rust. A cheap, steel-based snap will start to show orange streaks after just a few weeks in a humid environment, staining your expensive awning fabric permanently. Eventually, that corrosion will weaken the metal until it fails completely. That’s why you must look for materials like stainless steel or nickel-plated brass, which are designed for marine environments and can withstand constant exposure to moisture without breaking down.
Remember, these fasteners aren’t just for the main awning. They’re the workhorses for sun screens, wind skirts, privacy panels, and even securing outdoor gear. Investing in a quality kit means you have a reliable solution for a dozen different jobs around the rig, making it one of the most versatile repair kits you can carry.
DOT Scovill Snap Fasteners: The Marine-Grade Pick
Securely fasten with these black brass Pull The Dot snaps. Their one-way locking mechanism ensures reliable closure, ideal for demanding applications like holsters and military gear.
When you talk to old-timers who work on boat canvas, they’ll talk about DOT fasteners. Made by Scovill, these are the undisputed champions of the snap world, and for good reason. They are engineered for the punishing conditions of a saltwater environment, which makes them more than tough enough for RV life.
You can identify genuine DOT snaps by the small dot stamped on the button and their incredibly positive "click" when they engage. There’s no ambiguity; you know it’s secure. They are typically made from high-quality, nickel-plated brass that offers exceptional corrosion resistance and strength. This is the snap you use when a failure is not an option.
The main tradeoff is that DOT snaps are often sold as components rather than in a single, all-in-one kit with a tool. You might have to buy your studs, sockets, caps, and eyelets in separate bags and purchase a quality setting tool to go with them. It’s a bigger upfront investment, but you are buying a permanent solution, not a temporary fix.
Fasnap Brand Kits: A Professional-Grade Solution
Running parallel to DOT in the professional world is Fasnap. This is another brand you’ll find in commercial upholstery and canvas shops, trusted for its consistency and durability. They produce a wide range of fasteners, but their stainless steel snap components are what RVers should be looking for.
Fasnap kits often provide a great balance of quality and convenience, bundling a good number of stainless steel snaps with a functional setting tool. Their tools are typically a step up from the basic anvil-and-punch found in cheaper kits, offering a more reliable set. For someone looking to do a full awning refit, a Fasnap kit is an excellent one-stop-shop.
Ultimately, the choice between DOT and Fasnap often comes down to what you can get your hands on. Both offer superb quality and will serve you well for years. If you find a complete stainless steel kit from Fasnap, it’s a fantastic choice that will give you professional-grade results without having to piece a kit together yourself.
Boaton Snap Fastener Kit: Best Value for Bulk Jobs
Sometimes, the job isn’t just replacing one or two broken snaps; it’s redoing an entire wind skirt or a large sun shade. For these larger projects where you need a high quantity of fasteners without breaking the bank, the Boaton kits are a popular choice. They deliver incredible value, often including 150+ sets of snaps for the price of a few dozen from a premium brand.
The key here is to ensure you’re buying their stainless steel version. Boaton makes different types, but the stainless steel kit provides the necessary corrosion resistance for outdoor use. The quality is a clear step above the generic, no-name kits flooding online marketplaces, even if it doesn’t quite match the robust feel of a DOT snap.
The compromise is almost always the included setting tool. It’s a very basic punch-and-anvil set that requires a steady hand and a solid surface to work effectively. It’s easy to misalign and damage a snap. However, if you’re patient or already own a better tool, the sheer quantity of quality stainless snaps makes this kit a great value for bulk work.
General Tools 1265 Snap Pliers: Easy Installation
Let’s talk about the tool, because how you install the snap is just as important as the snap itself. The General Tools 1265 Snap Pliers kit is a game-changer for on-the-road repairs. Instead of fumbling with a hammer and anvil, these pliers use simple leverage to set the snap perfectly.
This plier-style tool gives you far more control, especially when you’re working in an awkward position, like reaching up to an already-installed awning. You eliminate the risk of a missed hammer blow damaging your RV’s fiberglass siding or a window. The pressure is applied evenly, resulting in a clean, secure roll on the back of the snap every time.
The snaps included in the General Tools kit are decent but aren’t top-tier marine grade. The real prize here is the tool itself. Many savvy nomads buy this kit for the pliers, then use them to install higher-quality DOT or Fasnap components. It’s the perfect pairing of an easy-to-use tool with best-in-class fasteners.
Dritz Heavy Duty Snaps: Widely Available & Reliable
The greatest strength of Dritz is its availability. When a snap pops off in the middle of nowhere, you can probably find a Dritz Heavy Duty Snap kit at the local fabric store or even a Walmart. That convenience can be a lifesaver.
Their "heavy-duty" line is a solid product, usually made of nickel-plated brass that holds up reasonably well. For interior applications like securing blackout curtains or for less-critical outdoor uses like a small storage cover, they are perfectly adequate. For a primary awning on a rig that sees heavy weather, I’d still recommend a true marine-grade option for long-term peace of mind.
Like many other kits, the included setting tool is a basic punch and anvil. It works, but it demands care. Think of Dritz as a reliable, widely available backup. It’s great to have a small pack in your toolkit for emergencies, but for a planned project, you might want to opt for something more specialized.
Sailrite SnapRite Kit: For a Perfect Die-Set Press
If you want absolutely flawless, factory-perfect results every single time, the Sailrite SnapRite Kit is the answer. This isn’t just a tool; it’s a precision system. It uses a press with interchangeable dies that hold the snap components in perfect alignment, eliminating any chance of a crooked or incomplete set.
The beauty of the SnapRite press is that it applies perfectly vertical force. There are no glancing hammer blows, no bent posts, and no damaged snap caps. You get a perfect roll on the barrel every time, creating the strongest possible hold. This is the system the pros use, and the results speak for themselves.
This level of precision comes at a price. The SnapRite system is a significant investment and is definitely overkill for replacing a single broken snap. However, for the dedicated DIYer, someone restoring a vintage rig, or anyone building custom canvas projects from scratch, it’s an unmatched tool that turns a frustrating task into a satisfying one.
Installing Your Snaps: Key Tips for a Secure Fit
No matter how good your snaps are, they’ll fail if installed poorly. The first step is creating a clean hole. Use a sharp canvas hole punch or, for synthetic fabrics like vinyl, a hot knife (or even a heated nail held with pliers). This sears the edges and prevents fraying. The hole should be just big enough for the snap’s barrel to pass through snugly.
When setting the snap, always work on a solid surface. Place a small, dense block of wood behind the fabric to absorb the hammer blow. Use a few confident, firm strikes rather than a series of light taps. After setting, inspect the back. The barrel should be rolled over smoothly and evenly around its entire circumference.
For high-stress areas like the corners of an awning, always add reinforcement. Cut a 2×2 inch square of scrap canvas or vinyl and use a strong adhesive like 3M 5200 or VHB tape to bond it to the backside of the fabric where the snap will go. Installing the snap through both layers distributes the force over a wider area and dramatically reduces the chance of the snap tearing out of the fabric during a windstorm.
Ultimately, your snap fasteners are the critical connection point between your rig and your shelter from the elements. Treating them as an afterthought is a recipe for failure at the worst possible time. By choosing a quality, corrosion-resistant kit and taking the time to install them correctly, you’re not just making a repair; you’re making an investment in reliability and peace of mind for all the miles ahead.
