Awning for high top Bongo

[loopy_lab08]

Hi,

I could do with some advice?

Does anyone know which awning would be best for a high top Bongo? And how it can be fitted?

Thanks in advance.

[Ian]

Has your Bongo got guttering on the side (below the hi-top)?

[loopy_lab08]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes there is guttering but it is pretty much filled with silicone sealant. Long story!

Any thoughts?

[Ian]

If you can't use the gutter, there's no obvious place to secure the awning. Why not get a good quality tent (Base Seconds?) and park it near the Bongo....

[loopy_lab08]

Hi Ian,

Sounds that it may well be the case.

I will have a look at the Base Second.

Thanks for all your help.

Speak soon.

[janie]

Hi, we have a movelite xl which has straps (similar to storm straps) which go over the top of the van - in our case one in front and one behind the aft. This gives it a nice snug fit which we prefer to the fig of 8 attached to the gutter.

[Ian]

But will the straps/ropes go over a hi-top Bongo??

[stuc]

You could fasten an awning rail above the gutter and fit a caravan store like mine,shown on my post.
They are designed for caravans so would be better on a high top as you could get sides to fit without modifications.

[Simon Jones]

A lot of VW hi top conversions have Fiamma awnings bolted into the side of the fibreglass roof. You would need some spreader plates on the inside, but it would only be workable if the roof has been properly fitted using correct adhesives i.e. not bathroom sealant.

[janie]

Hello again. The movelite xl fits motor homes up to 290cm. To drive away you just release the straps.

[winchman]

Hello again. The movelite xl fits motor homes up to 290cm. To drive away you just release the straps.

Hello Sorry to hijack your thread but have you a photo of the movelite XL fitted to the Bongo?
I have been offered one cheap by a friend, the maker told me it wouldnt fit very well????

[Poohbear]

If your gutter is full of silicon sealant doesn't water gush in throught the sliding door when it's raining and you have the door open?

[janie]

Hi,

I don't have photo of it, no. We're going away on the 16th for the weekend and will be using it then so I can take one if that helps.
I found that it was very 'baggy' when we used the figure of 8s (probably because its made for a slightly taller vehicle) but when using the straps thown over the top it's not too bad at all

[winchman]

Thanks, a photo or two would be good just so I can see how others do it.
Mines a Tin top with a ful lenght roof rack so it will take soem thinking about to get the best fit

[janie]

Hi again,

Sorry for taking so long with the photos of the awning attached. I have to admit that at the weekend I took loads of photos and when I plugged the camera in this morning they were too bright to see anything I'm afraid.

Anyway - the awning is made for a slightly higher vehicle than the bongo and so fig of 8s don't give a great fit (although I have used them in the past). It comes with straps that clip on and throw aroud the front and back of the aft and peg down
- that gets a 'tighter' fit (and stops the flapping around from the tunnel). It is nice and big and has a door with fly screen on each side, windows and the front opens fully to make a canopy. Mine didn't come with an inner tent (don't know if it was meant to but I had it given so beggars can't be choosers), but I put a pop up tent inside for the kids and that works well (you can take it down in the day for more space too).

The only thing I don't like is that you have to be really careful when putting it up as the first time we used it we split 3 poles and had to replace them - since then, using a bit more caution and less haste it's been fine.

If you have a roof rack then it would probable be easiest to put the straps around it or to clip it on to the rack itself (being a bit higher than the gutter rail that might work.

Hope this is useful - sorry for lack of pics.