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Hi All

I know there are thousands of posts on drive away awnings but I can't find many

about using a guy or straps to connect it to the van. We have a Autoroller 4 and the

only way would be the over the top of the van and pegged down on the other side.

Have been thinking about a Movelight XL, anyone out there used this method ?

Any problems with it, also how good a fit do you get ?

regards to all sf

There are several methods of fixing a drive-away awning to your van.

You could pop rivet a U bracket along the van and attatch the awning with figure of 8 tubing. I used this on my first campervan.

On my present van I have stuck two inch wide industrial Velcro to the van and stitch the other side to the awning flap. This is very sucessful and it keeps out the wind and the rain.

I'm sure other will come up with more ideas.

Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 08/5/2008

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That two inch wide industrial velcro sounds just the job! I have a similar prob, can you tell me where you got the velcro and what you stuck it with as my 'van is fibreglass. Thanks!

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This type of Velcro has many uses in industry but I got mine from a Sailmaker who also stitched the "smooth" side to my awning. The "hook" side went onto the van which is also glassfibre and this side has sticky backing already in place. However if it does not, double sided carpet tape will do the same job.  

If I was doing this again, I would heat the sticky backing with a small flame gun before I stuck it down and that way it would stay there for ever.
At the moment it had been there through wind and rain for about 18 months now.

Hi

Thanks for the replies but the sides of our van are "dimpled" and its impossible to get an air tight seal with suckers also would have probs with velcro.I was just wondering if anybody who used guy ropes over the top of their van had good or bad experiences ???????

best regards sf

You could fix a length of awning rail to the side of your van, you wouldnt need screws, run a bead of Sikaflex 512 polyurethane adhesive/sealant along it & stick it on, it will be permanent.

we have a drive away awing which is fixed at the top with a figure of 8 but we needed to find a quick method of fixing the sides to the van. 

After trying to figure out how to keep it attached OH was quite brilliant and brought home some of the magnet strips you get on the back of ID badges.  They work a treat and are surprisingly strong - not to mention quick to put on and off. 

Liz

Hi Turkish

looks good,off to order one if the funds allow

regards sf

Quote: Originally posted by shortfuse on 08/5/2008

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Hi

Thanks for the replies but the sides of our van are "dimpled" and its impossible to get an air tight seal with suckers also would have probs with velcro.I was just wondering if anybody who used guy ropes over the top of their van had good or bad experiences ???????

best regards sf

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Our old van had nice flat sides but the suckers still didn't stick.

Ended up using two thicker than standard guy ropes that went over and around the van with two bungee straps pegged to the ground to give a bit of give in the wind

Quote: Originally posted by turkish on 10/5/2008

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see my gallery

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Turkish, we have a similair van to yours and the same awning. Yours seems to fit snug at the side, ours has a gap.

Do you just use the straps and NOT the figure 8?

Thanks

Billy

Thanks, we are going away next week and going to try just using the straps. OH bought some tennis balls today, (good tip)

Hope you had a good trip away.

Billy