Hi all, having used this forum many times for help it is here I am turning to again, in the hope that some kind soul can help me. I have upgraded during the last 2 years from tent, to folding camper and now to caravan. The problem I have is that the awning I have is too small for my caravan and I can't afford to buy a larger one as the van is roughly 19-20ft. Is there anyway of adjusting/cutting the awning rail to make it smaller so the smaller awning can fit? Or would it be easier buying a new curved piece of rail to attach, if so where can I buy this as most retailers only sell strait pieces of rail? If any fellow caravanners or awning experts have done this before and can give me some tips I'd be extremely grateful.
only thing i can think of without spoiling the van for all time,ie unable to sell it.you could cut a small section out of the awning rail bottom where the awning bends down and have it supported with poles and suckers onto the van side.our porch awning is made this way.the sides are supported by poles. or you could get a piece from a breaker.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
You can buy a combi kit from Isabella which is roughly £90 and that will enable you to make your full awning into a porch awning.
What you do is figure out what side you want the awning to fit and with the kit you get a pole and sleeve kit to push against the van to make a seal.
You will need to cut the awning bead edging on your awning to do this
Awning rail is supplied in straight lengths, you have to curve it yourself, yes you can do what you suggest, it would involve cutting rail, curving it down & screwing new bit on side to link up, I've seen it done, but as stated you will devalue the van.
The other alternative would be to take your awning to a tent and awnings repair alteration company, who would put an insert piece into the roofing fabric to make it large enough to fit your new van.
Personally i think this would be a better option, as theres no risk of any devalueation of your van on resale, or possible water ingress from where the sides have been drilled/fitted to take the rail, which is unlikely to be as strongly fixed as any original rail, due to the lack of purposly inserted internal supports within the walls of the van during manufacture, at the spots you are fixing to.
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!
Thanks for all of your suggestions and comments. The devaluation of the van isn't a major factor to me as I bought it cheap enough and to be honest don't expect to sell it on when I'm finished, will probably have to pay someone to pick it up! I will mull over these ideas and let you all know (with pics) the outcome.
I know you said you cant afford a bigger awning but, just a suggestion, why not look for a good 2nd hand one. A lot of people are replacing their awnings at this time of year and Ebay has a lot of bargains at the moment. This would be a better alternative than changing the awning rail which could cause damp problems if you get it wrong
------------- hawk
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone"
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Topic: Adjustments to awning rail?
