On our last trip out we decided to put up our full size awning, which we managed without threats of divorce or domestic violence, amazing :)
But, when it came to the skirts I figured out how it went with the exception of the wheel arch cover. There are no rails here and the wheel arch cover comes with a press stud kit for fitting.
I don't like the idea of screwing into the skin of the caravan in order to attach these press studs.
Am I worrying about it when I shouldn't or is there a nice tip or two that I am not aware of in order to try and keep some of the heat in and wind out of the awning at this wheel arch.
Thanks,
Andy
P.S. It was a Dorema awning with the most ridiculous bag for packing it away. As an ex-army bloke putting 18x24 tents away I am familiar with decent folding but getting the awning into the supplied bag after use would make a decent challenge on the Krypton Factor. So, I am eyeing one of these up and wonder if anyone had an opinion. Awning Bag
Have the same with our FC awning, press studs but no stud on the trailer!
I bought Velcro and stitched one piece onto the canvas and the other I used carpet double sided tape and stuck it to the trailer, when matched up it stays put.
Velcro comes in different widths and you can buy in lengths, you can get in black or white and purchase from fabric shops/haberdashers
I bought some cheap hooks with suckers from the pound shop, threw away the hook bit and used the suckers to attach the skirt to the caravan. I pierced 2 holes in the skirt for the stalks of the suckers to go through, pushed the stalks through the holes and held them in place using small cable ties. It's easy to use and there's no damage to the caravan from drilling holes etc. So far this has worked well for the last 5 years on different caravans.
Awning bags are usually too small unless they are made for Kampa awnings. Kampa always supply oversize bags with compression straps and so far we have never had a problem in getting their awnings back in the bag.
Hi Andy we use one of these. Easily attached through the wheel with the strap supplied, stays in place and weighs practically nothing. £20....... bargain!
------------- I went to the top of the mountain...and looked over the other side!
Andy,if you do decide to fasten the press studs to the caravan skin,put a blob of silicone on the back of the stud.This will ensure a watertight fastening,and will help to keep it secure when removing the draught flap.
------------- If the moon reflects the suns light,why does it not reflect the suns heat?
I cut the top wheel cover to shape, compressed 4 brass grommets, attached the suckers to the caravan wall and hung the wheel cover on. The bottom of the wheel cover is attached to a figure of 8 channel that attaches to the main bottom skirt.
A bit off topic, but if I read your post correctly you put up the awning then did the skirt after.
I think it is easier to feed in the skirt if you attach it before erecting the awning. I think some folk feed it in from the wheel arch both ways, but I find it easier to start at on end and go straight through.
I have an Isabella awning and they do a kit with double sided tape that is pretty good.
We have a Dorema full awning, know what you mean about the supplied bags, putting the thing up is a breeze compared to getting it in the bags, now that is divorce material!
My Geist van came with stainless steel press studs screwed to body work (fitted by Geist) plus a strip of awning rail below studs.
This gave you the option of sliding in a length of awning skirt of bigger depth than skirt or fitting wheel cover provided by awning makers.using press studs.
I always fit skirt then lay awning mat/ ground sheet before erecting the awning, the mat keeping the awning off whatever type of pitch.provided.
My present van comes with glassfibre piece that clips in wheel arch with awning rail fitted so skirt can slide in front to back of van
Just recently bought one of the bags, one for the awning one for poles, so much easier alround, excellent value for money. Great customer service and delivery.
We use velcro sticky pads above the wheelarch. Easy to remove when you sell the van.
We put the skirt on first then erect the awning
. We bought new bigger bagsfor our Dorema full awning, after the originals became tatty-much easier to get it in the bag!
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
I have used the same method with my porch awning and full awning and causes no damage or screw holes in the van.
Purchase 3 of the plastic suckers with hooks on and use a eyeletter
to punch 3 small holes with the eyelet tool in the top of the awning skirt.
Hold the skirt up to the wheel arch to decide where to insert the eyelets for the sucker hook.
The result us very neat and does not mark the caravsn in any way.
I purchased the eyelet tool and eyelets quite cheaply from Screwfix, worked a treat!
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Topic: Awning Skirts
