hi all I am going to reseal the awning rails on our caravan would any body know where I could obtain this tool to fit beading on either side of the awning rail
many thanks.
I used the tool that we have for popping paint lids - anything with a flat blunt blade - even the end of a spoon would be ok.
Place a couple of inches of the gasket in one side of the channel and poke the other side in with some form of tool. Just work your way around the rail. A lot easier than expected. Think I looked at Lawrence's site on the fix it club.
Doh - just reread your post and see you're actually taking about the gasket and not the trim..... Sorry.
Tis 4.42am. God knows what I'm doing awake.
After speaking to O'Leary's, we decided not to bother and refitted ours without it. Looks fine without it too.
If its what i think you mean its called a lip seal awning rail gasket tool.Before you click the link prepare your self for a shock....Click
* This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, as an eBay Partner Network member we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 27/10/2013
If its what i think you mean its called a lip seal awning rail gasket tool.Before you click the link prepare your self for a shock....Click
Look on the bright side ... it has free P&P
* This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, as an eBay Partner Network member we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
I see that on ebay originally and fell on the floor it is what I am looking for pat at the caravan workshop showed me the same thing but wasn't sure where to obtain one he had is on a number of years is this a rare tool to get hold of at £114 of ebay is taking the biscuit a bit I think there must be some wear you can get hold of them.
Of course, you could drop the seller a polite question to check the price; hopefully it's a typo and should be £14. I can't be sure I've seen one of these to assess further, but the fleabay price is pretty extortionate.
hello every one it has been a while I have been looking around for the tool to fit the seal on the aluminium awning rail not wanting to give up I have found a company that do them (not the one on ebay )at a sensible price off £39. 00 they also do the tool for fitting the awning rail insert and the tool for fitting the insert around the window seal and last a tool for straightening the awning channel the company is called www.cohbaines.co.uk and are in Tonbridge wells have a look they have a caravan section rubber seals and more www.cohbaines.co.uk hope this will help some of you out there doing the same job.
If I were you I wouldn't put the gasket back on. As Franny said, O'Leary's recommended that she shouldn't put hers back (our friendly repairer says the same). I think the gasket introduces an extra pathway for a leak - via the Herzim strip and the screwholes/screws. More recent 'vans don't have the gaskets.
When you think that you are connecting 5 components (awning rail, gasket, aluminium skin, wooden frame and screws) a flexible layer removed could be a potential leak prevented!
I haven't made that decision yet weather or not to keep seal doing the smaller jobs first sorted toilet door leak, found leak at front turned out to be coming through around the pipe at the bottom of the truma heater cover at fist thought the water heater was leaking had dehumidifier in caravan at the front after removing water heater platform and carpet has dryed out now so will reseal plate and refit tomorrow as it is going to rain tomorrow fishing umbrella comes in handy.
Awning rail is aluminium, caravan skin is aluminium - same rate of expansion & contraction (rail is fixed to 'van with screws into the wooden frame of 'van, but the rail is losing and gaining moisture constantly due to climatic conditions, so the screws become looser accordingly (vibration helps with this).
Gasket is some sort of plastic - different rate of expansion and contraction. What good can this do?
If the normal caravan mastic was used, it will have melted in hot sun either side of the gasket, so just as useless as usual. If an adhesive sealant was used it has to bond three faces instead of two (caravan skin to gasket and gasket to rail) - so twice the chance of a leak due to poor degreasing, poor application of sealant, screws becoming loose etc.
Best repair - clean and degrease caravan skin and rail. Bond rail directly to caravan with Sikaflex (screws are irrelevant after Sikaflex cures, as the bond is so good - but ensure screws/holes are well sealed.
Things I bonded with Sikaflex over 15 years ago are still watertight now, although subject to stress, immersion in salt water, frost, direct sunlight and living outdoors the entire time. Other PU sealants may be as long lived but I haven't tried them.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: awning rail gasket fitting tool
