Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

The Tardis factor (interiors, awnings, roofs etc)

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cleagarr
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Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

Hi

Just taken delivery of my Caranstore awning and have found that when it is in the awning rail it hangs too low to open the doors.

Image

The first question then is;

Should I simply unscrew the rail and screw it in 4 inches higher? The reason why I am taking a moment to think about it is that by doing this I am exposing several holes in the roof (existing screws) and adding some more... it just bothers me a bit. i was considering using a strap of some sort over the indicator to lift the awning during travel but I don't want to damage the indicator...

The other question is about security;

Can anybody explain how best to stop someone simply pulling the awning out of the rail whilst the van is parked or overnight? Locking bullets?

Cheers
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BaaaadSlider
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by BaaaadSlider »

im no expert at all, but i would put another rail above the exisitng one.
Even if you adapt the other one, once you need to pull it out and use it, it will be very low for walking underneath it? :oops:
i could be wrong though, but just my opinion :D
and yes you can get stoppers to put in the end of your rail, as we use a padlock on the two holes where to the zips meet up :D
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cleagarr
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

BaaaadSlider wrote:im no expert at all, but i would put another rail above the exisitng one.

Common sense that I was lacking - classic example of not seeing the wood for the trees. Thanks for taking the time....
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Titus A Duxass
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by Titus A Duxass »

Although I don't have a high top I do have the same type of awning and had the same issues.

The rail on mine is now mounted on brackets so that it hangs on the same level as the gutter.

I tapped the ends of the rail and fitted a bolt so that the awning cannot be simply slid out.
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by shepster »

Raise it, you may find the slider hits the rear support as well if too far forward.
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cleagarr
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

Titus A Duxass wrote:Although I don't have a high top I do have the same type of awning and had the same issues.

The rail on mine is now mounted on brackets so that it hangs on the same level as the gutter.

I tapped the ends of the rail and fitted a bolt so that the awning cannot be simply slid out.

Thanks for this - I can't quite picture this in my mind. Any chance of a photo?!

shepster wrote:Raise it, you may find the slider hits the rear support as well if too far forward.

I'll bear that in mind - thanks.
All I ask is for the chance to prove that money won't make me happy.

1989 Transporter 1.6TD original engine.

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LittleMissSunshine
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by LittleMissSunshine »

I have the same awning secured by a rail higher than this:

Please excuse the cheesy pose! I got the rail from eBay I think. There is a lockable block bit that came with the rail to stop you sliding it off but to be honest it wouldn't stop a determined thief. You also need to take the weight when opening/closing as the hightop is fragile.

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Titus A Duxass
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by Titus A Duxass »

Nice pose!
Not too cheesy.
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Titus A Duxass
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by Titus A Duxass »

cleagarr wrote:
Titus A Duxass wrote:Although I don't have a high top I do have the same type of awning and had the same issues.

The rail on mine is now mounted on brackets so that it hangs on the same level as the gutter.

I tapped the ends of the rail and fitted a bolt so that the awning cannot be simply slid out.

Thanks for this - I can't quite picture this in my mind. Any chance of a photo?!

shepster wrote:Raise it, you may find the slider hits the rear support as well if too far forward.

I'll bear that in mind - thanks.

I'll try and sort some out for you in the next couple of days.
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cleagarr
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

LittleMissSunshine wrote:I have the same awning secured by a rail higher than this:

Please excuse the cheesy pose! I got the rail from eBay I think. There is a lockable block bit that came with the rail to stop you sliding it off but to be honest it wouldn't stop a determined thief. You also need to take the weight when opening/closing as the hightop is fragile.

Image


Thanks for this - not sure how I missed it first time! :ok
All I ask is for the chance to prove that money won't make me happy.

1989 Transporter 1.6TD original engine.

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LittleMissSunshine
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by LittleMissSunshine »

You're welcome :ok
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cleagarr
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

Back to this. Looking at the high top I'm not convinced it would take the weight of the rail - it is quite flimsy in feel and I do not want to add a rail inside to support it.

So...... does anyone know where I can get these from: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Centre-Awnin ... 1325929375 in the UK?

Or....... would one of these (http://campervanculture.com/shop/remote ... ing-light/) on the pillar by the door support one end if I strapped the other end around the mouse ear?

Quite irritating this!
All I ask is for the chance to prove that money won't make me happy.

1989 Transporter 1.6TD original engine.

cleagarr
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

.
All I ask is for the chance to prove that money won't make me happy.

1989 Transporter 1.6TD original engine.

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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by waltraud »

Glue rail to higjtop with sikaflex but first of all mock up how high you want it when you are standing under it. No screws I would suggest. I have a caravanstore too but with a poptop so I made a bracket that clips onto the gutter. Good luck
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cleagarr
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Re: Couple of roll out canopy/awning questions

Post by cleagarr »

waltraud wrote:Glue rail to higjtop with sikaflex but first of all mock up how high you want it when you are standing under it. No screws I would suggest. I have a caravanstore too but with a poptop so I made a bracket that clips onto the gutter. Good luck

Thanks for this. To be honest the thought of holding it on with glue scares me... can it really be trusted under load at, say, 60mph?
All I ask is for the chance to prove that money won't make me happy.

1989 Transporter 1.6TD original engine.

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