An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Questions & answers about awnings, mattresses, and other things to make life on the road more comfortable. This section is for Bongo-specific kit only. No talk about backpacking tents here!

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redrocket
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An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by redrocket » Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:56 pm

Does such thing exist??

I really like the idea of an awning for the extra storage space and obviously if taking friends away somewhere to socialise if weathers a bit pants.

I have looked into a lot of awnings but never been to a shop that sells one to ask the questions that i am now.

A lot of awnings i see have straps that go over the vehicle itself, dont like this idea as would wear away the paintwork.

The sides of an awnings entrance to the van seems to touch the paintwork to enclose the entrance away from the outside, does this not cause wear on the paintwork especially in windy areas?

id like a blow up awning preferably that doesnt come into contact with the paintwork, sort of like a tent that has the entrances of an awning both sides and the entrance to the vehicle is self supporting rather than attached and held up by the van itself, does such thing exist??

Or does anyone know of an awning that is kind to the paintwork????

thanks all
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by Ian » Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:46 pm

Take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWTIMTnvPa4

Although they use a VW T5 as an example, the same principle applies to a Bongo. The only part of the awning that comes in contact withe the vehicle is the point at which you attach the awning canopy. In the case of the Darlington Air (available from all good Bongo Club shops :D ) you can either use a plastic figure-of-8 channel to attach is to the Bongo guttering, or, if you have a factory fitted Auto Free Top, you can use a pole-in-a-sleeve method to attach it to the hooks that are exposed when you elevate the roof.

Nothing will damage the paint work using either of these methods.
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redrocket
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by redrocket » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:52 am

Thanks for this, helpful. What about the sides of the entrance which are i presume held taught to the side of the van, won't those rub and wear in high wind?
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by Ian » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:50 am

The sides are pegged in to the ground. The only thing that will touch the van is fabric.
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by Bob » Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:38 am

The other option is to use a tent and place the door a couple of feet from your Bongo.

You won't have a tight seal between it and Bongy but there's no risk of damage and easy to drive away.

Where the pitch allows we've positioned the tent behind the motor and used the tail gate as a sort of roof between the two. You can always add a wind break or two as 'sides'. :wink:
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by redrocket » Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:01 pm

the fabric touching the paintwork is what bothers me. I dont know having not had one what the abrasion is like. And im sure ive read stories about it scuffing the paintwork in high wind flapping back and forth... Maybe its a tent im after then with a canopy that i can hitch a couple feet away from the van.

Excuse my inexperience when it comes to awnings.

So i want a blow up tent with canopy...know of any :)
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:44 pm

Maybe a little ingenuity is required. I recall buying big suckers from a camping shop that you can shove a bit of dowel/wooden dowel into. You could make up something to stick on the Bongo at mid point of where the awning tunnel sides might otherwise rub against the paintwork. Then you peg the sides down so they are tensioned over the sucker/hold-off stays. You'd only need to do this i think when there is significant wind.
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by Bob » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:55 pm

:shock:
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:02 pm

Bob wrote::shock:
What strange thoughts are growing in your warped little mind Bob :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by Bob » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:10 pm

The instructions for, 'Significant wind'. :oops:

I'll get me coat. :lol:
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:18 pm

Bob wrote:The instructions for, 'Significant wind'. :oops:

I'll get me coat. :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok no problem. Buy another sucker and length of dowel and apply a little ingenuity (and ky gel) there also. Simples :lol:
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by alant54 » Tue Feb 14, 2017 9:17 pm

Mike...I hope that the wind you refer to is not personal and age related..... :shock:

Bob...you are right to be concerned .....but don't forget that Mike is in his dotage now and his condition can affect us all mature citizens...... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll get my coat as well Bob.... :oops:

Alan

Sorry Mike....couldn't help it...senility.... :roll:
Alan...still plodding on....!
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by BigPanzer » Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:46 am

Bob...you are right to be concerned .....but don't forget that Mike is in his dotage now and his condition can affect us all mature citizens...... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Do what I do - blame it on the dog

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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by swright81076 » Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:59 pm

Hi there,

This is my first post on this fantastically useful forum. We are proud Bongonaughts as of December last year. Its an N reg 2.5td aft, we joined the club and display our sticker proudly.

We have just bought an Outwell Darlington awning, but haven't yet put it up. However, I came across this post, in particular Ian mentioned attaching the awning to the AFT hooks. How would this work? would we need to buy any clamps or something else to secure it.

Many thanks of the great forum and the help you guys provide.

Steve
Bob
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Re: An Awning that wont damage the paintwork

Post by Bob » Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:44 pm

Can't help with the awning, sorry, but welcome aboard. :D
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