Awning drip guard

Hi

I’m aware that there have been posts around this before but thought I share a few photos and thoughts around fitting a drip guard strip to my Fiamma F45i awning.

Like others I’ve been wanting to stop water ingress around the sliding door area of my van - Symbol 2003 and have finally fitted the strip!

I bought mine from Devan caravans in Weston-super-Mare on the understanding that if I couldn’t fit it they do do for me later!  Buying face to face gave me more advice and ensured I was getting the right one - and the price was good.

So the one photo is of the part of the strip as it would have looked when purchased.  Rather than some online offerings where you have to guesss what width you need before you’re really clear about how it even fits or makes contact.  You’ll see the strip has two cutting lines and their advice was don’t cut it until fitted since the van roof will curve.

In that photo I included the fitting tool - wonderful - it’s ehat supermarket employees use to lift the plastic stripping to change price labels - just ask at your regular place. 

I also followed others advice and sprayed silicone grease in and a quick 20min fitting job its was and no need to remove end caps to slide in.

Where I did have issues was around the upper windows.  If I cut the strip along the cutting lines to fit them it would be too short elsewhere.  So did have to do a bit of sculpting.

For the front one I ended up making a small skirt that I attached to the window frame which you should be able to see in the photos.  On the rear one I’ve just trimmed it to follow the lower window line.  This means the rubber is level ish which is fine is the van is also parked level.  Not too sure whether it’ll just create a puddle if the van isn’t very level... we’ll see and if necessary I’ll copy the front window solution.  (The extra skirt was made from the rubber I trimmed off.)

Oh yes and Devan were right, if I’d bought the mid size strip it would have been fine at the back of the van but left a gap by the time it got to the front end of the awning because of the curve in the roof line.

Just need some heavy rain and to sit inside and see!

Rob

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Thanks Robin. That's a useful post. I did the same job last summer after a great deal of thought about the width of the strip. In the end it went on easily and the silicone gloop held it nicely in place.....until I took the van to have it pressure washed by the chaps behind our local football stadium. The pressure washer lifted the front of the strip, I think, and after a 60 mph journey the strip flew off never to be seen again. I'm now wondering how I can make sure that the front of the strip can be held down better. Alternatively, I can wash the van myself!!

Hi - I’ve certainly lost the issue of water coming in the top of the side door - bone dry despite some heavy rain.  Might still have to sort out bit around the bathroom window to prevent water sitting there.

Agree that I’m nervous about wind pulling it off when driving.  Would have been good to have had some clips of some sort?  I suppose can’t be hard to make something that traps the front end down... you’ve now got me thinking.

Rob

I am surprised that more owners don' fit this drip guard, especially if they use the awning when its raining.

Robin, Let me know please if you come up with a good (non-intrusive!) solution because I can't  think of one. I did wonder about a strong sticky tape to re-inforce that leading edge.....
John

Hi I’m thinking of just trapping the leading edge ... assuming that this gets most of the impact from air flow? Using a clip riveted on?  Remember this is all in my head at the moment and I haven’t studied the awning!  But if it seems viable I could fit ten at points along it.  I’ll let you know but won’t been quick due to weather and needing a ladder to get up there.

Rob

Hi re fitting then I’m more surprised they’re not just fitted as part of the awning!  It appears to have made so much difference to everyday use even when not using the awning.

My thoughts...

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Looking for some help,I have a autosleeper Warwick duo on a 2014 Peugeot boxer and was wondering if there is any way of fitting a drip guard as above not sure what can be done as the fitting of the awning to the van stands proud of the van
TIA

Hi It shouldn’t matter what position the awning is fitted since there are various types of rain guard for Fiamma awnings, their fittings and awning types.  Some fit above the awning (as mine does) and there’s others that fit below for those awnings mounted above roof level, as well as of course the various sizes to address distance from the van wall.

Google Fiamma rain guard and look at the options in the images or of course you could could just get one fitted if you prefer.  Devan where I bought mine from can fit for you all included for around £35 in about half an hour - need to book.  They’re not that far from you in Weston-super-Mare.

Hope that helps. Rob