Symbol Awning RAIN GUARD

Our recently acquired Symbol  (2011 model with the extra high roof)  is fitted with a fiamma F45s awning. This gives great shelter from the British summer weather but does not stop the rain running down the van roof and sides and then into the sliding door opening. 
I have seen a 9cm Rain Guard sold by Fiamma but am not convinced that it will bridge the gap.   
I post in the hope that other Symbol owners have tried this solution and are able to re-assure me that it is worth investing in. 
Other suggestions very welcome please.

Hi

We had the same problem on our Symbol. We found the best solution was to fit a "drip strip" to channel the rainwater to either side of the door.

Autocruise fit them as standard to their van conversions. It is a piece of plastic with a lip /channel, it fits inside the top of the door opening and comes with the adhesive tape already attached.

I got mine from the supplying dealer free of charge as the van was new but they are available from any Swift/Autocruise dealer. I think the price was in the region of about £10. It solved the problem.

Regards

Hubert

I made my own using aluminium angle strip bought in b&q cant recall size but about 50mm x 10mm
Cut to about 20cm longer than door gap so that after cutting out it slots into the door gap with a channel each end for the rain to run out down the side of the van away from the open door.
Fixed to the van with Wurth seal and stick and a few small countersunk screws. I even sprayed mine to match the van

Thanks for both suggestions. Found an adhesive fixed Fiamma drip channel but it is quite expensive. Will try caravan agents for something cheaper. If no good will have a look at the "door gap" (top of door?) to see if I can make my own.

This is similar to the problem we had with our VW Topaz. I think the Symbol structure follows the same design.  We found that rain entered the hab door.  Opening the awning caught most of the rain but water still came down between the body of the awning and the van.
My solution was to insert a five inch wide strip of plastic the full width of the door opening (three short bits actually) plus a bit either side  which is slotted down behind the black plastic trim and bent horizontally outwards under the awning. The plastic was cut from a 6litre water carrier and proved 100% successful.
I then solved the problem of getting wet whilst going to the back of the awning to wind it out by retro-fitting  an electric drive.  We now run the awning out a couple of feet before opening the door. Whilst fitting the drive I also moved the awning forward four inches to better cover the door opening.        Keith

KMRTOPAZ Thanks for your response.
I am not sure that I would afford the electric option though it sounds a good idea. Your suggestion of moving the awning forward, if relatively easy, would help to cover the door opening more effectively. I will have a go at that.  Not quite sure how the plastic drip deflector is fitted. Does the Topaz have the same door system as the Symbol? I can't identify the black plastic trim.

I don't know if I've just been lucky with wind and rain direction so far, as no rain has got through from behind the canopy box, but I do think the awning has been fitted too far back.

I've got a new Heki on order under warranty and when the van goes in for it to be fitted, I've asked the workshop to move the awning forward. To me, it would benefit from moving forwards 10" or so, but I don't think the brackets will allow that much adjustment.

I think the later models have the awning fitted closer to the body.  On my 2011 Symbol it is mounted on extra mouldings that make it stand away from the body. This is the essence of my original post,  Is the gap too big to fit the 9cm rain guard?

On the subject of moving the whole awning forward, mine seems to be fitted to the brackets with pop rivets.  I assume these could be drilled out and re-riveted in the new position.

Mine is a different van I know, but I had the same problem with rain, as the awning to van gap is quite large to accommodate the design of the van. Fiamma make the rubber bridging strip in several widths. I bought the 5cm as the gap was about 4cm, I fitted it and have had no rainwater problems since.
Al.

Sorry Mossy, I was assuming you had the earlier model based on the Peugot Boxer.  I guess the 2011 model is on the Fiat.  The black trim I was referring to covers the join between the van and the fibreglass top half fitted by AS to the early models.   Keith

I used Fiamma Rain Guard M (4 cms wide) on my Symbol.

It is wide enough for 90% of the awning box length.  However, the gap widens over the forwardmost 12 inches or so, and gets too wide for the seal.

I think the 9 cm wide version will happily bridge that gap.  I'm not sure, though, that it will cure the problem of water entering at the forward edge of the door opening.

G

I discovered this problem the first time it rained against that side of the van. The water runs down the body of the van behind the awning box, into the top of the door. With the door shut it runs along the top of the door and down the side but as soon as you open the door the water drops vertically from the roof/side onto the carpet/seat. I guess white van man shrugs and gets on with the job but it's a poor design by Peugeot. I don't think moving the awning will make any difference, it's too far out from the body. I shall have to look at this Fiamma rain guard. Thanks for all the suggestions.

As the awning on our Symbol/Dorset is a Thule I have found this:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
There seem to be several options, more research I think.

Great to hear others have experienced the same problem and found solutions. I have asked a supplier if its possible to have a short length (sample) of the guard to try in place. If they are willing to send it I will report back.
Thank you everyone for your contributions.

No joy with getting a sample. Will try Fiamma direct.

Shortest length available from any supplier seems to be 1 M.  Will have to bite the bullet and order 3 M in the hope that it fits. Thank you Gram for your contribution, it does sound as though the 9cm version should do the job.

Have different years got different awnings? I ask 'cos our 2013 Dorset/Symbol has a Thule and everyone else is talking about Fiamma. I haven't found a price for the Thule version yet.

Sorry Bertb  I don't know the answer to that.  
I also mailed Auto sleepers service dept some time ago, still no response.

bertb wrote:Have different years got different awnings? I ask 'cos our 2013 Dorset/Symbol has a Thule and everyone else is talking about Fiamma. I haven't found a price for the Thule version yet.

The Awning on my 62 reg Dorset is a Prostor Awning so I assume that Autosleeper fit what they could get at the best price.
From what I have found on the internet Thule awnings came about when they bought out Omnistor  and after a period of time the past director of Omnistor started up again under the name of Prostor which is now part of the Miriad group of companies.
Going for lie down now
David

Phew! Who'd 'ave thought? On Thules site is a neat PVC stick-on gutter which could do the job, have to phone round to find someone who has got some in stock and the price.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

bertb wrote:Phew! Who'd 'ave thought? On Thules site is a neat PVC stick-on gutter which could do the job, have to phone round to find someone who has got some in stock and the price.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks Bertb, looks like a possible solution. Any idea of cost?

No, not yet.Thule refer you to their dealers but my local ones have no information on their websites so I will phone around.

Quick search found this!
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
£33 for 3.5 meters! I think not.

Fiammi Drip Stop, circa 1
£12. Better

bertb wrote:Have different years got different awnings? I ask 'cos our 2013 Dorset/Symbol has a Thule and everyone else is talking about Fiamma. I haven't found a price for the Thule version yet.

The latest vans come with the Thule Omnistor awning fitted, but I needed a load bearing roof system factory fitted and as AS use Fiamma roof rails and cross bars, they also fit a Fiamma awning as part of the upgrade.