Fitting awning to van

Fig of 8 - never had an issue even when it's raining and blowing old boots.

 

We went to fishbrain awnings he sells the figure of 8 and also another plastic insert which keeps the fig of 8 fixed in the strongest winds

 

this one

http://www.fishbrain.biz/acatalog/awning-attachments.html

 

Fig of 8 brill stuff.

 

I screwed a channel to the roof and slid the sun canopy on and left it there.

 

is fishbrain pretty reasonably priced, ive never heard of them, does quality matter for figure of 8?

B

 

Used figure of 8 for 20 years. I used to have one long piece but it went with van/awning. Now all I can get is short lengths which work, but you do get a drip where the seperate lengths meet. The camping shop I got the long length from is shut now. so I have to shop on t'internet and nobody will post a 4m F8 strip obviously!

 

Think I might give the figure of eight a whirl! I was a little worried how well it would stay on the van but it sounds like thats not too much of an issue. If I have a problem in the future I guess I can buy the gutter bulk strip from Fishbrain.

 

By the way, I can't recommend Somerset Camping enough! I called them on Tuesday at 1pm and the awning arrived yesterday at 9am!!!! I have just spoken to them and explained that I misread the advert and didn't realise I needed the figure of 8 kit and that I would like to order it. I stressed that it was my own fault for not reading the advert properly but the guy insisted that they should have asked if I wanted the kit and as such he would not be charging me for postage. Customer service like this is few and far between these days so thought I best let people know about this place. I put the Khyam Driveaway Compact 300 up last night and it seems great. I have obviously not had it attached to the van yet, I'll report back after Donny show at the weekend.

 

I use a Fig of 8 with some tape on the guttering to avoid any scratches. Also ensure the awning is attached taught with the guide ropes tight that run from the bit that fits onto the guttering. On my first van I used a bar with clamps, had high winds overnight and it popped off consequently the bar scratched the van---gutted. Also if you use tape, when removing do it carefully to avoid paint coming off.

 

Going back abit,
I saw Para's post (post 20) about rare earth magnets...if he means those ones you get in computer hard drives they are incredibly strong, and I've heard of other folk using them to attach stuff to their vans

 

Thats the type jack neoyidium magnets or somthing like that
You can buy them in different sizes and there incredibly strong

 

I've been trying to find a clamp and pole but have never ha any luck. Any pointers??

The fig 8 is rubbish. I could fart mine free from the buses guttering.

 

Campershop do em....
http://campershop.co.uk/10-awning-attachment-kits

 

Thats the ones

Im going to sew them into the tube of fabric where the pole normally goes through before you clamp it on
Then its just a case of sticking them to the van in the desired spot
The weebing loops will be stitched in so i can give them a good tug to remove them when taking the awning down

Less to carry as no need for poles and clamps and super easy to fit to the van even with cold wet hands

 

Cheers Jack. For the life of me I'd never been able to find them when I searched the www.

 

http://www.first4magnets.com/neodymium-magnets-343-c.asp

 

Sorry for the delay yes they are resonable priced (fishbrain)

 

Cheers dude i appreciate you posting that link

Most people think my ideas are a little crazy but after testing an old hard drive magnet wrapped in my hanky against the gutters im sold
Ive no concern that they will hold and im positive they will be better than the pole and clamps we have

The biggest problem with them will be removing them hence some double stiching and webbing loops