I have just taken delivery of a Kampa Ace Air Pro 400 awning which is rather heavy and will no doubt be cumbersome to thread onto the awning rail. I have heard that it helps if the awning rail is lubricated but I wonder what (type of) product it is suitable to use for this purpose. Does anyone have any experience and suggestions please?
I clean the awning rail out with a small bottle brush to get rid of all the spiders and bits of rotten leaf that lurk there. I then lubricate the rail with a couple of squirts of whatever silicone I have handy but there are specialised awning rail lubricants available at caravan dealers. That awning will be fairly heavy so you really need a second person to help take the weight whilst you feed the beading in to the rail.
Hi Rob, thanks for that advice. I have some WD40 Silicone in the garage, I assume that fits the bill then. I was worried that it might stain the fabric of the awning by spreading out from the fabric that covers the beading.
I also have a fit & active wife who (when we're away in the 'van) never lets me do anything on my own (or without instruction) so she can help me take the weight
Quote: Originally posted by Howie T on 23/6/2017
Thanks Alphonso, I'm a sucker for a specialist product, didn't know this one existed. I'll add it the list for next week's trip to the dealer.
It doesn't affect (effect?) water proofing on the awning which is a bonus...
If you haven't used the caravan awning rail previously it's worth checking that the channel hasn't collapsed because if it has then you will struggle to feed the awning cord through. The best way is to purchase an awning spreader shown in the link below and tap it through lightly with a hammer if it jams. Once the rail is clear then use the awning rail brush to clear any debris such as dead insects and any build up of algea. Once the brush has gone through, reverse the direction and feed back through the opposite way. Once this has been achieved then use the silicon spray when you are feeding the awning through and the awning will just glide through. The WD40 silicon spray pipe just folds down so no chance of losing it or accidentally triggering the contents.
Thanks Tango55. So many specialist products on that Towsure link! I'll have to buy them all now. The awning rail is in good condition, we bought this 'van new a year ago and the new awning is replacing a 5 year old Kampa Rally poled awning which has been in place as recently as 3 days ago. We needed an awning to which we could add an annexe in order for family to join us so we've gone for air poles, more space and quite a lot of extra weight. I hope we don't regret it.
I use an awning strip in both awning rails when at home. This helps keep the awning rail free of bugs, dirt etc. I then spray silicone spray along the rail at the beginning of the year. The awning strip also stops the black streaks from running down the sides of the caravan when it rains.
I use Silicone spray in the rails I also have the same awning, there is eyelets on the ends of the awning beads to put a cord into to help pull the awning around the channel, found this helpful
Thanks for the links Tango. I have a wee bit of damaged rail so I'll get an awning rail spreader. I did not realise such a thing existed.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
Just read this thread with interest as my Van is fab, but the awning rail has seen some action !! Those tools are exactly what i need .
Thanks Tango .
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Topic: Lubricating an awning rail
Bob61
