Pop Top, Roof Rack and Awning

Hi,

Has anyone solved the problem of attaching the awning (Outwell Country Roads Gutter connecting) when having a poptop and a front roof rack?

We use the pole and clamp connection for our Khyam Sleeper without problem
The pole we use "just fits" at the end of the gutter and the rear of the rack
We know others have had a problem in the past
Think we suggested a pole from these guys to save cutting down a longer pole

http://campershop.co.uk/awning-attachment-kits/41-pole-and-clamp-kit.html

We only got four clamps - our pole may also be shorter?
(They may have changed design since then)
Suggest you run a tape on the available length of gutter to check against the pole size quoted

Hope this helps
Rooby Roo

Hi Scooby,

Thanks, but not quite the answer we need.

David

What experience and what, if any, solution has any member had with attaching an awning (in our case, an Outwell Country Road) with a front roof rack fitted?

We have just bought some sucker attachments and have considered figure of eight, but they did not seem too secure.

We would love to have the benefit of others knowledge.

Kind regards

David and Lyn

Pole and clamp works a treat but you need to make sure the pole is not too long.

t24fun wrote:

What experience and what, if any, solution has any member had with attaching an awning (in our case, an Outwell Country Road) with a front roof rack fitted?

We have just bought some sucker attachments and have considered figure of eight, but they did not seem too secure.

We would love to have the benefit of others knowledge.

Kind regards

David and Lyn

We have an Outwell, fit it with pole and clamp, also fitted it with a roof rack and didn't have any problems.

We use three bits if figure of 8 with little bits of plastic which makes it fit well (can't remember what it's called, but we got it from Fishbrain) it has stayed on in all weather. We tried the pole and clamp, but didn't get on as well with it.

We used a pole and clamp, pre roof rack, but find that the first support leg of the roof rack, sitting in the gutter, obstructs the pole. How did you get around that?

David and Lyn

Live life at your own pace!

We don't have a roof rack so it's not a problem, others have sourced shorter poles or reduced the length of existing poles to get round it.

I have the same outwell awning and concur with Lady Js comments. the figure of 8 with a rubber for the majority of the connection and just cut up some smaller pieces of fig 8 to go in between the rack legs. works a treat.

Good morning Lady J and Butten,

Please could you explain a little more about the rubber and or little bits of plastic? When we tried the figure of eight, they simply would not stay on the gutter edge.

Regards

David and Lyn
T2 4 Fun

David, have a look at this link, in particular the Gutter Bulk Strip product:

Fishbrain

Butten and Lady J have made use of fitting a small section of Gutter Bulk Strip to effectively widen the gutter profile on their Kombi, and then attach the figure of 8 connector. The Gutter Bulk strip creates a firmer hold onto the BraziBay.

Tim,

That was very helpful, thank you.

We have now ordered from Fishbrain, who proved to be really nice people, just like the members of Brazilian VW Bay.Com.

Thanks again.

David and Lyn
T2 4 Fun

Good stuff.

To be honest, I reckon the key to successfully docking Kombi and awning is getting the two the right distance from each other. I can't tell you the amount of times at the beginning of a season that I've gone backwards and forwards trying to line my bus up so that the connecting section fits just right. Once it's done though, I mark the wheel positions on the ground so it's an easy job reconnecting.

Having done it once, I seem to remember the knack for each pitch I then visit.

That's right Tim, marking the wheel position helps a great deal. Our problem only started when we decided that fitting front roof racks was the right thing to do.

It does help with creating inside space, of course.

David and Lyn

I've used both methods and have to say I find the pole and clamp a lot easier. Erect the awning, fix to van with pole and clamp then pull the awning away from the van until the tunnel is tight, peg down the awning. Done and Done. Simples.

Doesn't seem to work with the figure 8 as it keeps coming unclipped, even with the gutter strip, the tunnel needs to be under tension to to keep it on. Also had problems with the figure 8 leaking in heavy downpoors, something that's never happened with the pole and clamp.

kiteman wrote:

I've used both methods and have to say I find the pole and clamp a lot easier. Erect the awning, fix to van with pole and clamp then pull the awning away from the van until the tunnel is tight, peg down the awning. Done and Done. Simples.

Doesn't seem to work with the figure 8 as it keeps coming unclipped, even with the gutter strip, the tunnel needs to be under tension to to keep it on. Also had problems with the figure 8 leaking in heavy downpoors, something that's never happened with the pole and clamp.

Thanks. I keep wondering which is best. Hopefully ordering Motordome soon and needed to know which attachment method to go for.