AVA awning brackets....some advice please

[2newbies]

Hi, Is there anyone out there who has used the AVA brackets to to hang a F45s awning? I've finally fitted my brackets but have noticed the surface to which you fit the fiamma fitting plates is not totally vertical. Has anyone else experienced this? Would it be wise to use some wedges to make sure the Fiamma mounting plates are vertical before fitting the awning and if so, what?

Fitting this awning is really becoming a bit of a saga...!!!

Any and all help really gratefully received.

Paul and Claire

[alan]

how much of a angle is it
is the angle backwards so that when the weight of the awning is on it well pull straight ?
if you got a picture so those in the know can see

[2newbies]

Hi,thanks for the reply,they are leaning forward about 10 degrees....will try to post a pic tomorrow,thanks again Paul

[2newbies]

Here's a pic of one of the brackets - shows it leaning forward... Hope this works...

http://s1209.photobucket.com/user/oconn ... sort=3&o=0

[dave_aber]

In comparison to that, mine sit a bit more vertical.

As I mentioned, I extended them to be bolted under the Mazda hooks, and I also fitted a rubber panel under them to protect the bodywork.

Now that I look at the photos, they do appear to be leaning out - but in the flesh they don't appear to - trick of the lens.




(Note, there IS an extension welded onto the AVA bracket, which has the 2 bolts going through it - it isn't just 'nipped' by the Mazda bracket!)

[2newbies]

Thanks for the pics,the AVA brackets I've fitted do fit under the roof hooks ( a newer design maybe), I may refit them using some rubber too..it may bring them more to the vertical, the only prob. is I stuck them down with sikaflex,
Have you had the awning on long....any probs......I do worry about parting company with it, as you said before they do look quite slender. thanks paul

[dave_aber]

The only issue I have had is that the rear bracket started to crack where the in-fill brace attaches back to the curved face, at the Van side of the bracket.

To be fair to the brackets, this was after I'd left the awning out overnight without nailing the feet to the ground, and the wind got up and gave it some severe grief. The awning case was bent, and needed a fair bit of persuasion to make it straight again. I had the bracket re-welded and all is OK now.

As they are stainless, and thin, I'm still keeping a close eye on them as SS is prone to cracking....

But so far, so good.

[2newbies]

Thanks again,off to the hardware shop to find a rubber sheet......Paul

[dave_aber]

My son used to race DH mountain bikes, so I had plenty of heavy duty 2.5" inner tubes lying around so I used bits of them!