Hey there, fellow RV enthusiasts and weekend road warriors! If you’ve ever spent time around an RV campground after sunset, you’ve probably noticed that tiny, glowing strip of light stretching along the edge of the awning—those are RV awning lights, and they’re one of those underrated upgrades that turn a basic campsite into a cozy, functional spot. As someone who’s been in the RV awning lights supply business for years, I get asked one question more than any other: “Are RV awning lights easy to remove?” It’s a great question, because let’s be real—things change. Maybe you’re prepping your RV for a sale, swapping out your lights for a new style that fits your decor, or even taking them off temporarily to avoid damage during a windy stretch of highway. Today, I’m breaking this down like I would for a customer standing in my warehouse—no jargon, just straight talk, backed by years of working with these lights day in and day out. RV Awning Lights
First, let’s get one thing straight: not all RV awning lights are created equal. That’s a huge part of why the answer to “are they easy to remove?” isn’t a simple yes or no. Back in the early days of awning lights (think 15+ years ago, when I first started in this industry), most models were hardwired and mounted with permanent adhesive or bulky, ugly screws that required a drill and a whole toolkit just to get them off. Those days are long gone, but I still see a lot of old units out there, so it’s important to note that if you’ve got a vintage RV with original lights, you might be in for a little more work. But for the most common models sold today—the ones we supply, and the ones most RVers install—removal is actually pretty straightforward, as long as you know what you’re doing.
Let’s start with the most popular type of awning lights these days: the strip lights that mount to the front rail of your awning using a peel-and-stick adhesive backing. We sell a ton of these, and from my experience, they’re the easiest to remove—if you do it the right way. Here’s the thing about that adhesive: it’s strong enough to hold up through 50-mile-per-hour winds, heavy rain, and sweltering campground heat, but it’s not designed to be ripped off. If you just yank the strip off in a fit of impatience, you’ll end up with a sticky residue all over your awning rail, and you might even pull off a little bit of the rail’s finish. Trust me, I’ve seen this more times than I can count with first-time DIYers. The trick here is to heat the adhesive gently first. A hair dryer on low or medium heat (no high heat, that can warp the plastic strip) works perfectly. Hold it about 6 inches away from the light for 30 to 60 seconds, then start peeling the strip back slowly, pulling it at a 45-degree angle parallel to the rail. If you do that, you can remove the entire strip in one piece in about 5 minutes, no damage to the rail, no leftover residue, and no tools required. That’s a big win for most RV owners, especially if you’re not super handy with power tools.
But what if your lights aren’t the peel-and-stick kind? Some RVs come with awning lights that are mounted with small, discrete screws—usually 4 to 6 screws per strip, hidden under the edge of the light or covered by a tiny plastic cap to keep them looking clean. These are still pretty easy to remove, though they take a little more time than the adhesive models. The good news is that the screws are almost always standard-sized, so a small Phillips head screwdriver or a basic drill with a Phillips bit is all you need. The process here is simple: first, turn off the power to the lights (super important—don’t skip this, you don’t want to yank a wire while it’s live), then locate the screw caps, pop them off gently with a small flathead screwdriver, unscrew each screw, and then gently pull the light strip away from the awning rail. You’ll have a couple of wires connected to the back of the strip—most of these are quick-connect plugs, so you don’t even have to cut or splice wires. Just press the tab on the plug, separate it, and the light is off. If you do encounter a model where the wires are hardwired, that’s a little more work, but it’s still manageable with a wire stripper and some electrical tape, though I always recommend calling a professional if you’re not comfortable with electrical work.
Now, let’s talk about the exceptions—because there are always a few. Some high-end, built-in awning light systems for luxury RVs are more integrated into the awning’s structure, and those can be a bit trickier to remove. These are usually hardwired, mounted with both adhesive and screws for extra stability, and sometimes even connected to your RV’s main lighting system. If you’ve got one of these, I wouldn’t recommend trying to remove it yourself if you’re not familiar with RV electrical systems—you could end up damaging your awning, your RV’s wiring, or even voiding your warranty. In these cases, it’s worth the small cost to hire a local RV technician who’s experienced with awning modifications. But even for these integrated systems, removal is still possible, just not as quick as the basic strip lights we supply for most standard RVs.
Another thing I get asked a lot is if you can remove the lights temporarily when you need to, like if you’re driving through a storm or storing your RV for the winter. The short answer is yes, but you’ll want to make sure you do it safely. If you’re removing adhesive lights temporarily, follow the same heating process I mentioned earlier, and store the strip in a cool, dry place. When you’re ready to put it back, just clean the awning rail with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or grime, reapply the adhesive, and press it firmly in place for a minute or two. For screw-mounted lights, just leave the screws and plugs connected—you can usually loosen the screws slightly, lift the strip up enough to stow it in your RV’s storage compartment, then reattach it when you’re ready. Just make sure you tighten the screws back up snugly, but not too tight—you don’t want to strip the plastic of the light or damage the awning rail.
I also want to touch on a common mistake I see people make when removing awning lights: rushing it. I had a customer a couple of months ago come into the warehouse all frustrated, saying their lights “were impossible to remove.” When I asked how they did it, they admitted they just grabbed the end of the strip and pulled as hard as they could. The result? The strip snapped in half, sticky residue all over their brand new awning rail, and they had to buy a whole new set of lights. That’s why I always emphasize patience. Whether you’re dealing with adhesive or screw-mounted lights, taking the extra 10 seconds to heat the adhesive or loosen the screws properly will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run.
Now, as a supplier, I’ll be the first to say that we design our awning lights with removal in mind. We know that RV owners want flexibility—they don’t want to be stuck with a light that’s impossible to swap out or remove when needed. That’s why all the strip lights we sell use a heavy-duty but removable adhesive, not a permanent industrial bond, and all our screw-mounted models come with quick-connect wire plugs so you don’t have to mess with cutting wires. We also include a small tool kit with every order: a hair dryer (for the adhesive models), a small screwdriver, and a cleaning wipe to remove any residue if you do happen to have a little left over. It’s those small details that make the process easy, and honestly, it’s what sets our lights apart from the cheap no-name models you might find at a big box store.
I’ve also had customers tell me they’re worried about damaging their awning when they remove the lights. Let me reassure you: if you follow the steps we outline in every product manual, damage is extremely rare. The adhesive we use is specially formulated for RV surfaces, so it won’t eat away at the awning’s vinyl or leave a sticky residue if you heat it properly. The screws we use are designed to go into the awning rail without cracking or scratching the surface, as long as you don’t over-tighten them. I’ve had customers who’ve removed and reattached the same set of lights 3 or 4 times over the course of a year, and they haven’t had any issues at all.
Of course, there are always scenarios where you might want to remove the lights for a different reason. Maybe you’re replacing your entire awning, or you’re updating the exterior of your RV to match a new color scheme. Whatever the reason, the process is basically the same, just take your time and follow the steps. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out—my team and I are here to walk you through it, whether you’re a first-time RV owner or a seasoned full-timer.
At the end of the day, the answer to “are RV awning lights easy to remove?” is this: for the vast majority of models on the market today, especially the ones we supply, yes, they’re very easy to remove—with the right tools and a little patience. The old days of needing a drill and a half hour of work just to take off your awning lights are long gone, and that’s a good thing, because RV owners have enough to worry about when they’re out on the road.
If you’re in the market for new awning lights, or you’re ready to swap out your old, hard-to-remove models for something quick and easy to work with, feel free to get in touch with our team to discuss your needs. We offer a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors to fit any RV, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have about installation, removal, or maintenance.
Motorhome Interior Light Reference:
RV Maintenance and Repair Handbook, 5th Edition, RV Safety Association, 2022.
Airstream Component Catalog, 2023, Airstream Inc.
Outdoor RV Lighting Installation Guide, Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, 2021.
Foshan Nanhai Xingyuke Lighting Co., Ltd.
Address: 5th Floor, Yifeng Technology Park, Dawo Village, Danzao Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
E-mail: york@nrylighting.com
WebSite: https://www.nrylighting.com/
