Awning attachments

When attaching your awning to your van is important to get it right. Here at Fishbrain we have gained a fair amount of knowledge over the years about fitting your awning to your van so what follows is a summary of that knowledge which we hope will help you to decide which is the best option for you.

The Bay window van

The figure of 8 profiles suit this van best of all. They are quick and easy to attach and detach when you want to driveaway. They are good for 95% of conditions. Sometimes the wind can catch them and whip them off though. To help prevent this you can slip a small section of thin plastic profile, or GB strip, on top of the gutter (see gutter bulk strip below) before you fit each figure 8.

The split sceen van

Like with the Bay window van you can use the figure 8 profiles but because the gutter is much thinner you will have to fit 3m of our plastic profile (see gutter bulk strip below) on top of the gutter first to bulk it out. The figure 8 profiles will then fit really nice and firm.

T25/T3

'The Wedge' poses a few questions. We have found 2 types of gutter profile on this van. One is very thin and fairly straight and is similar to the split screen gutter. The other is thicker and has a slight angle on the top part similar to the bay window. Both types of gutter can have a hard black plastic strip on top which can make fitting the figure 8 profile a bit tricky as it can make the gutter edge too thick for the profile to fit on. Without this strip the figure of 8 profiles will fit on nicely on the thin gutter in combination with our thin plastic profile to bulk it out and thicker gutter will usually take the figure of 8's on their own.
If you don't want to take the black strip off the gutter, then your best and probably only option will be the pole & clamp.

T4/T5

These vans don't come with a gutter as standard but you can fit an awning rail. Fishbrain can now supply you with the Reimo Multirail. The Multirail opens up all possible fitting options to you as it has a gutter to take either a figure 8 profile or a pole and clamp. There is also an awning rail 'C' channel which allows you to fit a double edged beaded sleeve. You can then offer up the beaded edge of your awning and join the two edges together using the figure 8 profiles. Why is this necessary? You could try and feed the bead on your driveaway awning directly into an awning channel but it isn't easy! Try driving away and then getting back onto the awning again! Divorce!!
We may be able to arrange a professional fitting of a Multirail onto your van at a forthcoming VW show. Give us a call on 01420 88848 to find out if our fitter will be there.

The "C" channel awning rail is a cheaper and effective solution also. If you have a T5 withouth roofbars or a pop up roof then you can fit this rail using the holes on the top of the roof that are used to secure the roof bars. Simply drill the rail in the right places and fix using the stainless allen bolts supplied with the rail as an option. (The roof bar bolts have heads that are to big for this rail) Once fixed to the roof, you can't even see it!
With the T4, you can also use this rail. If you don't wish to drill the van then a good quality adhesive/sealant will do the job. This, we can also supply. Fix it to the iside edge of the roof channel and again, it won't be seen. Remember to order the double beaded awning strip and figure 8 profiles if you don't already have them. You will need these if you are to easily attach and re-attach you r awning to the van.
Alternatively, you can simply strap the awning edge over the top of the van using guy lines and peg it down into the ground on the other side. If you are buying a Khyam awning, then to do this you must purchase the Kador converter separately. See photo at the bottom of this page.
You can buy sucker clamps to go on the roof of these vans but do be wary of them. If they are made of metal then it is not unknown for them to come unstuck in a high wind and cause serious damage to your paintwork!


The Coach Built Motorhome

These vehicles are best suited for the Navigator XL, Khyam Classic Excelsior and Sleeper Plus. These awnings is equipped with a connecting tunnel section that will reach much higher than the standard awning. To attach them you can either put the tunnel section up and over the roof of your motorhome using the long guy lines to peg it down the other side or attach it to your awning rail or Fiamma/Omnistor awning.
To attach to your awning rail you need the 3m of double edged beaded awning strip and 4 x 30" fig 8 profiles. To attach to your Fiamma or Omnistor awning you need the 4 x fig 8 profiles plus the double edged beaded awning strip (Fiamma). This has the 4mm bead on one edge for your Fiamma/Omnistor and the 6mm bead on the other for the fig 8's.


The Mazda Bongo/Ford Freda

This vehicle takes the figure 8 profiles really well on the gutter.

Confused?

If you are now more confused than ever then please call on 01420 88848 and talk it through.

Reimo Multirail

The Multirail is for the VW T4 and VW T5 short or long wheel base vehicles as well as other Motorcaravans.
It gives you the perfect way to attach your awning to your vehicle. 3 ways in fact!
1. Pole and clamp fits into the "gutter".
2. Figure 8 profiles clip onto the "gutter" lip.
3. An awning bead can slide through the awning rail section. This allows use of the double edged awning bead and fig 8 profile combination. (see diagram on last product below)
Rainwater drains easily off.
Easy to attach with self-adhesive spoiler profiles (included)
Aluminium rails are pre-drilled.
Roof load capacity up to 100kg
Anodized aluminium, black.
Bonded with special glue and secured with rustproof stainless steel screws.
Have a look at this blog which details one man's fitting of the Multirail to his T5.
Stone 174
Sorry out of stock

Multirail fitting video