Awning rail height problem...

[Bubblyboy]

Hi everyone,
I have the chance to buy a drive away awning, its quite a bargain but my awning rail height might be a problem.. My rail is at 240cms but the awning states a fixing height of 245cms to 290cms. Would the 50mm (2") that my rail is lower than the minimum 245cms make a huge difference? Perhaps a Funster has had a similar dilemma and any advice would be much appreciated...

 

[Gerby]

Remember that drive away awnings can be fixed by using straps over the roof rather than the awning rail so if the price is really cheap and the awning really good this could be an option.

you could always use ramps on the awning side to raise it 4 inches (so long as you don't mind rolling out of bed due to the slant you create that is )

 

[Bubblyboy]

Remember that drive away awnings can be fixed by using straps over the roof rather than the awning rail so if the price is really cheap and the awning really good this could be an option.

you could always use ramps on the awning side to raise it 4 inches (so long as you don't mind rolling out of bed due to the slant you create that is )

Thanks Gerby, I had to laugh at that! I had considered the ramps too to raise the rail height but I don't really want too much hassle setting up but I hadn't considered the straps over the roof so a great suggestion!

 

[tonyidle]

There's also, depending on type, a loose "tunnel" connection to the awning itself that should take up a small variation in height.

 

[Bubblyboy]

There's also, depending on type, a loose "tunnel" connection to the awning itself that should take up a small variation in height.

That's my thinking too Tony, I think that I could lose that 2 inches in the pegging out of the tunnel up against the van, my main concern is with the hab door and whether it might foul the roof but again not an insurmountable thing...many thanks for your reply...

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[Diabalo]

If it's cheap enough and doesn't work out you can sell it on and maybee even make a bit of profit.

 

[tonyidle]

That's my thinking too Tony, I think that I could lose that 2 inches in the pegging out of the tunnel up against the van, my main concern is with the hab door and whether it might foul the roof but again not an insurmountable thing...many thanks for your reply...

Sometimes, even with a correctly sized awning, that happens. The van may be on levellers or the ground may be uneven. As you say it isn't insurmountable.

 

[Bubblyboy]

If it's cheap enough and doesn't work out you can sell it on and maybee even make a bit of profit.

Another thing I hadn't thought of Diabalo!! I think I ought to give things more thought before posting! lol... Some good suggestions have come though...

 

[Bubblyboy]

Sometimes, even with a correctly sized awning, that happens. The van may be on levellers or the ground may be uneven. As you say it isn't insurmountable.

I was just saying the same thing to the wife, the van is never gonna get lower, other than flat tyres of course but might go higher on some pitches that we need ramps on, so it might be better to have a bit of leeway upwards rather than fit an awning that is at its max height to start with... It appears that my van at 240cm rail height is right on the "cusp" between standard and tall awnings, on some awning ranges, so its a delicate balance. I'm definitely leaning towards buying it after the suggestions from this thread...

 

[barsteward]

I'm not too familiar with the drive away awnings but presumably they are attached
by a kador strip?
I had an awning professionally altered by sewing an extra stip along side the original, the awning can now be used by a Motorhome or caravan (different size kador strip) for the princely sum of £60.

Perhaps this might be an option?

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[Gerby]

The main issue if your Rail height is lower than the minimum level is the tunnel (cowl) may not be tight enough to prevent pooling of water on top of it due to the looseness of the cowl, this is normally overcome by use of tension straps built in to the side of the cowl (at the top) but this would be assuming the height stated. you can move the awning further away but that would then leave a gap between the van and the cowling this may even be further exacerbated if your roll out awning is side mounted with the awning runner on the outside (as per the Fiamma type roll out awnings).

 

[Jev88]

I use a Caravan designed air awning that I found cheap and can't say the slight slack at ground level bothers me at all. I had a spare collapsible pole to prop up the centre of the roof in case water pooled there but had no problems. It won't fit snug to side of MH though.

o didn't use it. See picture - would you know my wind out awning and adaptor kadar strip are technically about 10 cm lower than advised?

 

[pappajohn]

I had an awning professionally altered by sewing an extra stip along side the original, the awning can now be used by a Motorhome or caravan (different size kador strip) for the princely sum of £60.

I did my own.... The princely sum of two broken sewing machine needles.... I already had some heavy nylon fabric and plastic cord.

 

[barsteward]

I did my own.... The princely sum of two broken sewing machine needles.... I already had some heavy nylon fabric and plastic cord.

Tight Wadd

 

[the1andonly]

If it ends up pooling you can get it modified by removing material. This should be a reasonable cost if you cant do it yourself. ( Once had a penine awning modified) We had the reavearse problem going from 1.8m to 2.9m. At least we ended up with a manageable 4m wide from a very heavey 6m 28kg.