Awning rail woes… :-/

[Stu007]

So installed a S+S awning rail which screws to the body work and followed the tutorial they provide but on a recent use with the tarp awning it has pulled the very end screw out of the bodywork!!! Aah… anyone had this experience? Sort of lost my confidence in the screws provided and do I take it off and fit rivetnuts and then also tigerseal? Or would/could this distort the bodywork where the rail attaches?

 

[Dellmassive]

Did you glue and screw?

Or should have a good bead of Tiger seal all the way along.

 

[cgtmiles]

I had mine me fitted for me and often think I’m going to pull it off with the force of the intention coupled with the wind but so far (touch wood) it has not gone anywhere. Normally I believe it is recommended to glue and screw

 

[JB_T5.1]

As above should have come with a tube of Sikaflex which you apply to the full length in addition to the screws. I didn't have much faith in the screws when I installed mine as didn't take much to overtighten and at least one was spinning.

 

[Stu007]

Ya I only ran it along the edge and around the holes but wish had run a lot more.. . Certainly would have helped!! I sort of followed the tutorial to the letter which hasn’t gone well

 

[Stu007]

To solve wondering if to remove clean up and add rivetnuts and add a lot more tigerseal and screw into the rivetnut threads but again don’t over tighten.. I’ve done a few trials to see if would affect the metal when crimped

 

[B.different]

I would use teroson panel bond (sealer not 2 pack) or windscreen sealer with the black primer for 2 reasons, first would be for adhesion and the second to make sure it's water tight and to stop rust.

 

[Dellmassive]

To solve wondering if to remove clean up and add rivetnuts and add a lot more tigerseal and screw into the rivetnut threads but again don’t over tighten.. I’ve done a few trials to see if would affect the metal when crimped

I wouldn't do that.

The metal is double skinned with a void.

I would......

Mask around the whole rail, so you know exactly where it sits.

Them fully remove the bar, remove all traces of wax etc with glass cleaner.

Then apply the proper bead of tigerseal all the way along the bar ...

Then refit using same fixings.

Maybe a slightly larger screw for the one that stripped.

The remove the masking take and refitbthe end caps..... You might need new 3M tape for the front bit.

One tip is to pre warm the tiger seal in a bucket of hot water for 30mins to soften it.... Ifnitsbnot already a hot day.

More info:

.

.

 

[Ayjay]

My Reimo Multiracial wasn't actually being pulled off but it was leaking in a couple of places which was first noticed about three years ago.. My first solution was to just run a bead of sealant along the top of the rail and that worked until earlier this year but I guess exposure to the elements and a few cleans put paid to it in the end. When I cleaning the old stuff off completely, I investigated more closely and realised that a couple of the screws were also spinning so I ordered up some new ones in a slightly larger size. I then took all the screws out and filled the holes with silicone before refitting the same ones where the hole was OK and new ones in the spinning holes followed by another bead along the whole to of the rail. It's not rained since when the awnings on but I did try it with a hose and it seems OK. That said, I suspect I'm still trying to to put of the inevitable day when the whole lot has to come off and be redone. For what it's worth, the next size screw up in my case was a 4.2mm x 16mm stainless steel torx set tapper from Spalding Fasteners on Ebay.

 

[Stu007]

Ya mine isn't hanging off or leaking but noticed it wasn't sitting flush with the plastic ends by about 1mm and was sure it was all flush so checked the end screw.. feels like a floored system if screws can be pulled but guess the end 1 has to flex the rail as well as hold to the van so has the most pressure on it plus the awning pulling in the wind... tiger seal will def help and add some primer to the paint similar to doing the fake rear window

 

[Stu007]

I wouldn't do that.

The metal is double skinned with a void.

I would......

Mask around the whole rail, so you know exactly where it sits.

Them fully remove the bar, remove all traces of wax etc with glass cleaner.

Then apply the proper bead of tigerseal all the way along the bar ...

Then refit using same fixings.

Maybe a slightly larger screw for the one that stripped.

The remove the masking take and refitbthe end caps..... You might need new 3M tape for the front bit.

One tip is to pre warm the tiger seal in a bucket of hot water for 30mins to soften it.... Ifnitsbnot already a hot day.

More info:

.

.

Thanks for the heads up on the double skin.. will check this when taking off as wonder if the last screw has hit this?? assume 16mm screw should be designed with this in mind?

In the S+S tutorial they only mentioned the join over the passenger door being twice as thick..

 

[monkeybusiness]

So installed a S+S awning rail which screws to the body work and followed the tutorial they provide but on a recent use with the tarp awning it has pulled the very end screw out of the bodywork!!! Aah… anyone had this experience? Sort of lost my confidence in the screws provided and do I take it off and fit rivetnuts and then also tigerseal? Or would/could this distort the bodywork where the rail attaches?

Despite your fitting woes, are you happy with the awning rail?
I was originally after a Camper Essentials version but my messages are disappearing down a black hole with no response.

 

[Stu007]

Despite your fitting woes, are you happy with the awning rail?
I was originally after a Camper Essentials version but my messages are disappearing down a black hole with no response.

Ya managed to take off and repair the holes with rivet nuts which is much more secure. Prefer this style of rail as the awning doesn't flap onto the bodywork when windy.. Its well made for what it is and easy to slide an awning into.. S+S weren't particularly happy I called them out for their poor fitting video but if helps others not make the same mistake win win... wouldn't use the company again myself and was super loyal customer from when they started out!

 

[monkeybusiness]

Thank you. Thats very helpful.

 

[Dellmassive]

Despite your fitting woes, are you happy with the awning rail?
I was originally after a Camper Essentials version but my messages are disappearing down a black hole with no response.

Have you called Them/Sacha?

@Camper Essentials

I spoke with him the other day?

 

[Dellmassive]

Despite your fitting woes, are you happy with the awning rail?
I was originally after a Camper Essentials version but my messages are disappearing down a black hole with no response.

give Sacha a call - just spoke to him.

he asked to ask you to call him. - say your from the forum etc etc

+44 (0)7900600886

 

[monkeybusiness]

Just spoken. He's a fountain of knowledge.
Order incoming once I do some final measurements.