Fitting drive away awning channel to irregular side.

[sasamummy]

Hi there. We have a converted Movano (not by us, 3rd owners) and want to attach a C channel for our drive away awning. We have a Vango Kela V high awning and have tried the throw over straps but can't get a good stretch on the top part next to the van so it sags and would be a hammock of water in wet weather. We don't want to screw into the van as we want to avoid more holes and also we don't have enough knowledge of where the safe areas for screwing would be! From searching through older threads, I read others have used tape or Sikaflex. etc. Our problem is the irregular surface or our van side. There are three strips or metal to deal with (some two layered) plus a few rivets - although we think we could just about wangle a straight line past them. Photos attached. Green line is estimated position of awning rail. Can we glue a strip of some sort to first create a flush surface and then attach the C channel? Or is that a recipe for distaster? Thanks in advance.

 

[RustyRuss]

I used this channel to attach our air windbreaks to the side of the van. I used self tapping screws as you can see. I also added a small blob of sikaflex at each hole to prevent water ingress. You can see that I’ve chamfered the entry to the C channel to prevent the windbreak from getting chafed or torn. The gas locker gets in the way of the side skirt so you can see how I dealt with that. I suggest a similar strategy for your awning. Another good idea that I’ve seen is a short section of aluminium that fits snuggly into the C and his held in place with a knurled screw in knob/bolt. This prevents the awning from sliding out, could also be used to maintain tension and prevent the awning from sagging with retained water when it’s been raining.
Personally I wouldn’t worry about screwing something to the side of the van, as long as you make sure to seal the hole to prevent water ingress.

Cheers!

Russ

 

[sasamummy]

Thanks for that. That looks great. Maybe we can work around the metal and put in several parts. Still hoping to avoid screws if possible. The main problem is the differing levels of the metal strips. Could still leave a gap for the rain. Would be storing bikes and Cadac etc., in the awning entrance so hoping to keep it dry. It's not going to be a roll out awning, just a driveway C channel so we might think about glueing a base strip in first but not sure which material is best?

 

[RustyRuss]

I don’t think that bridging the various metal protrusions should be too much problem if you can maintain tension in the strip that runs through the C channel, that’s why I suggested these, couldn’t think of what they were called last time I posted!! (First screen shot) We’re in France at the moment and I haven’t figured out how to get google to remain British when I search for stuff like this. I’ve noticed that you can get anodised Keder C channels in all sorts of colours, I’ve seen blue ones when searching for these stoppers. You could use a complete length and file the the back off it where it will bridge your metal components, you might have to open up the C profile a little at the bridge points to let the strip on the awning pass over. You can also get these Keder extension strips that may help. (Second and third screen shots)

Cheers!

Russ