Hi sun camp ultima 390 porch awning. we love the awning for space and its light weight. We got this last august and went to southend. It was a bit windy and the awning kept leaving the side of the caravan and flaping. Will duck tape help or will it harm paint work on my van. We did try blue tack but not very good. We hope to go on hols soon and are looking for some advice.I got some upright poles but still have problem
Duck tape is a bit strong, could cause problems on the van and leave a mess in the awning. Have you tried double sided Velcro? The air gap thing seems to be a porch awning flaw if that is the right word. When using the porch I use my vans levelling blocks, this gives me extra height and I can get the awning sides tighter.
------------- Robert (BoB)
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We have the Utima 390, bought it in Feb. Ours has thick sewn in foam pads that go between the rear poles and the 'van. So far it hasn't come adrift or flapped - one thing that might be worth trying is putting the rear pegs under the van as far as poss. to give the best tension against the 'van sides.
Hi thats all I can try next time out. Mine also has pads but just will not stay in place.Each time we came back to the van the gap was back.So tucked all back neatley. By the end of the week it had tore Velcro tab off. The main problem was my stepson was trying to sleep in the awning. Thanks again Bg
Only other things I can think of are, poles on the groundsheet not on the ground? we did this once and the poles slid out. The poles need to be well tensioned onto the ground. We use rock pegs on the whole thing, as the pegs that come with it aren't man enough. Too much tension from front to back, pulling the pads away from the van perhaps? We get the pads firmly onto the van and peg this part down before pegging the front down. Bringing the front in towards the van by a small amount can give a better shape to the awning with less pull from front to back along the bottom. Perhaps the rear poles could be tied onto a rock peg to stop them moving.
There is no fixing point for storm straps so I thought about doubling up the guys with some serious rope if it looked like blowing a gale. (Which it always does this year - if it isn't already!)
Thanks may be worth a try.But top and bottom seem ok its the (sponge) padding that keeps moveing from behind the upright pole. the pole seems to flex away from the side of the van and increase the gap
Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 25/7/2011
When using the porch I use my vans levelling blocks, this gives me extra height and I can get the awning sides tighter.
Pump and seal awning buffers. Spotted some on the web thay did a great job. we had wind and rain when on hols spent most of time in awning with tv. My son slept in the awning as last time out he kept wanting to sleep in the caravan. Dam now on e bay on offer but very happy as thay have turned my sun camp into a more habital place also kept the dogs in. The buffer fitted over front side window well we used les presure and tucked in to place by pulling buffer up when in place to shape to window.And at night had a light in the awning and from out side no light showed in the seal spot on bg
Yes i was well impressed with them. you are ment to have a pole spike but did not have time to get one so put awning up with tent peg at base of pole and fitted tie wrap round peg and pole did the job. Thay are so simple but very effective. just one point do not blow up to hard as when sun comes out thay get harder but soon worked it all out. we had wind blowing on end of awning bowing the carbon poles but the buffers did not move.We also noticed thay stoped out side sounds as much hope this helps bg
If all else fails, try the old fashioned method of the thick sealed cell foam pipe lagging that comes in 2 mtr lengths from any DIY or plumb centre, its split along one side to allow it to be attached to the pipe, but in your case the rear upright pole, to keep the side wraps in place. Even with the foam pads ready attached type of awning it makes for a snugger fit, and is better than nothing, and is fairly cheap to buy.
We are very pleased with the snug-to-the-sides fitting of our Kampa Rally porch, the rear upright poles and thick sewn on pads keep out the drafts and rain very well indeed.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I dont have poles on my awning to fit the pads to, I read a tip in a magazine recently get some small clingons and attach to the awning material, then get some stick on hooks, the ones you would use in a bathroom with sucker type pads not self adhesive, nad fit to the van side, I have yet to try it myself but it sounds a good idea.