Awning attachment on trooper

hi all,

we've been looking around for an awning for our trooper and the same problem keeps on arising - attatching it to the van.
i've decided to attach a rail to the black gutter trim between van and roof shown in the photo below, as i'd rather not drill any new holes in the roof.



i'm looking at 2 types the J rail and the C type , like the look of the c type but think it may be a bit tricky to attach and re-attach awning (rail to double keder strip to figure of 8 then to awning), and with the j rail i assume you just use the figure of 8 strip to clip it on like you would a gutter? also i would like to be able to attach a sun canopy to a rail as well (guess the c type would be better for this-just thread it in and your away).
Am i right with these connections? and does any body have help/advice????

i've seen a photo somewhere (seen so many pics and posts), i think it was of Stevos van (Hi Steve if you reading)with a j rail fitted. I'll be in touch witha question for you !!!

thanks,

chris..

Hi Chris
I've attached a J rail to the plastic trim betwee the roof and the body utilising 3 of the screws that keep the trim in place like this

The awning looks like this when attached

Using 3 small wingnut clamps that connect a pole to the J rail


Hope this helps.

Cheers
Stevo

Thanks Stevo,

very helpful . just another little one for you - will figure of 8 hold on the rail?

Ta ,

chris

Hi Chris
If you mean will it hold on the J rail- I doubt it but I'm willing to be proved wrong. I think figure of 8 require corresponding fittings. Maybe someone else can help us out here ?
Stevo

I attach a sunshade (the one in my avatar photo) to my J rail with figure of 8's x 3. It will work but only if your J rail is high enough to give a downward force on the rail, otherwise it just comes out. I think a C rail would be better for you as your roof is low.

If you aren't into drilling holes then one of the modern adhesives will do more than the job - I used one to hold up a Fiamma Caravanstore on my Bongo

Hi we had a reimo multi rail fitted along our black roof trim. This was down by Torbay campervans Best bit of kit out there.

Thanks for all the posts,

Gonna try a 'C' type rail, i'm waiting on a price for a one piece length. will have a go at fitting using the existing screw locations like Stevo has done . Probably have to re-machine slightly to accomodate some shallow head or c/sk screws.



Cheers,

Chris

Hi all,

Finished off the rail today (photo below) , i think this section is called a caravan rail, picked it up at my local caravan & camping shop (about £20 for a 3m length). I did get a sample of the 'c' profile that i mentioned previously, but the stuff i had was a bit too rigid and wouldn't follow the contour of the van.

hope this helps someone.

cheers,

Chris.
now all i need to do is decide on an awning!!!!!

Hi I am going to buy a small awning to fit our Harmony,not give it a lot of thought as when I had a VW camper it just hung on the gutter with a fiquire eight ,is the rail you have fitted the same as the awning rail on a caravan and if so do all awnings come with the relevant bead sewn into the tunnel bit of the awning....thanks Algy

hi Algy ,

I dont know if its the same as the rails on caravans (i'm not familiar with them), but i did see this profile described as a caravan rail.
I went for the Khyam classic eventually, more than i wanted to spend but a demo at my local stockist sold it to me - very easy to put up.
The ones i was looking at had a 6mm keder beading sewn in, this khyam also has a space for a pole (& clamps)sewn in beneath the beading for use if you had a gutter (dont know whats standard with all awnings) . I needed a doublekeder strip to attach awning to the rail which i've secured to the van with a couple of clamps .

I just attach the awning beading to this with the figure of 8 strips.


i drove away & re-attached for the first time and it was relatively trouble free, just wish i had anyone other than my wife guiding me back into position . (we used groundsheet pegs for markers).

cheers,

chris..

Thank you,I will go for the same...cheers..Algy

Hi Chris,
I have a A/S Symbol on boxer with the same black trim on the roof I notice the type of awning rail you purchased is a nice fit in that gap.
I have looked every where for the same type with no success can you give us a clue where you found yours
Cheers JB.

Hi JB,

I got mine from ABC camping in swansea £20 for 3m length , seen it that price in a somewhere online but delivery was a lot being so long. i know you said you tried everywhere (online i assume) but try going into some of your local caravan/camping shops preferably with caravan awnings on display, as they'll have this stuff on their walls. it fits a treat in the channel although it needed a little machining for the securing holes.
if you need any further help let me know.

Chris..

Hi Chris,
Thanks for that, I have just found 2 suppliers by using a different search engine. One was £15 the other was £24 but like you say it's the postage that cripples it, I'll wait Till were out and about again and make a trip out of it.
Thanks again for your time John.

Hi jaybee,
If you cant find what you want any nearer, ring Glossop caravans in Glossop which is south east of Manchester, they have a seperate showroom for awnings and may be able to help.

Brian

Thank's Brian I will do that.
Cheers John.