Awning install on adventurewagen

Agna · Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 7:19 pm Post subject: Awning install on adventurewagen

I just got one of those knock off fianma awning from amazon and was contiplating how to install. Here's my thought. Mount it up high above the side window on the hightop. My reason is to keep it up so I can maintain a good slope for rain and not have to duck under it. I'm up in the Seattle area so I need the awning for rain more than shade. I know that the hightop is two pieces, so my plan was to take out the side window and slide some blocking( a chunk of composite decking) and then bolt through the side.
Has anybody done this or thought about it. Any advice or insight from you AV or hightop owners out there would be great. Thanks

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Steve
90 AV syncro zetec turbo
91 vanagon 2.5 subie( wife's van )

MsTaboo · Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:22 pm Post subject:

Are the legs of the awning going to be long enough to reach the ground without having a steep slope?
I would also be a little worried about aerodynamics with the awning so high on the vehicle. Just my 2 cents.

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mtnphan · Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:59 pm Post subject:

I agree with ms taboo. Just install in the standard spot. You're not that tall. I'll help you. Popcorn

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Jedi · Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:43 pm Post subject:

Stick with gutter mount
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61Scout · Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 12:15 am Post subject:

Well I'm not a hightop owner, but I see you have some 2x4s on the ground there next to your van. If it were me I'd build a temporary frame to straddle the top and then attach the awning, or maybe use some straps or something. Of course you couldn't drive like that, but it would give you an idea if you liked the awning up that high and how the water shed would perform. Just a thought.

Kevin
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mtnwater · Samba Member Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 215

I know that van. Wink

Fiamma gutter mounts work well. I had a shady boy mounted to some modified Fiamma mounts and it was a very clean and easy install. Good luck!

p.s. - that water tank is easy to remove. I recommend pulling it off when not in use to prevent the clear plastic from getting discolored.

J Charlton · Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 10:34 am Post subject: mounting awnings etc

I don't like putting holes through any hightop to mount anything - so - I developed the racking in the picture

Its shown mounted up on the old AW top that I have here.
The racking is very strong and very stable and virtually anything can be attached to it anywhere, solar panels, kayak supports, awnings etc etc.
All of the weight is transferred right down to the gutters and there are no through holes in the top.
An alternative is to use the Fiamma brackets/gutter clamps to attach to the van, but drill and tap each of the 2 to accommodate a 1/4" bolt and then attach a piece of the aluminum strut horizontally - an awning can then be easily fastened to or removed from the strut. I have this arrangement on my hightop right now, I used to have a Fiamma 45 hung off it, now a Shady Boy - I like it that the awning van side attachment is elevated several inches - it just makes it feel more spacious under the awning when I'm cooking, cleaning up or just sitting having a wobbly pop.
I'll try to get out and take a pic of my awning attachment today and add it later.
Do what you have to to avoid putting through holes in your top.
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mtnwater · Samba Member Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 215

^That's a good point. I bet you could mount your new awning to the rack system that came with that van. I too would avoid putting holes in the high top.

Agna · Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 9:26 am Post subject:

All great points. I think I've got a good plan in my head on how I'm gong to do it. Using those racks would work great with a little modifications. I haven't had to weld anything in a while, I always like those projects Smile

. Now I've gotta find some time to do it. I'll post pics of my progress when I start. Thanks all.
RL- Van is running great! Can not wait to take it up in the snow. Hope things are well in Tahoe.
Steve

Agna · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:50 pm Post subject:

Well I figure I better update and close out this thread for future searches. I tried the racks that attached to the rain gutter but wasn't happy with the way it looked. After trying to wedge the awning straight it stuck out further than I liked plus with the 10fter it required the middle support. So I made some wedges out of melamine (cutting board), attached the supplied brackets and then bolted that to the van. I had to mess with each wedge because the hightop has a slight curve from front to back. The front wedge was easy because of the single wall but the middle and back required a metal spacer so I didn't squish the inside and outside layer. All stainless nuts and bots with a big aluminum backing plate. I used some quality silicone between the wedges and hardtop. Here are some pics of the finished product. I'll be checking for any stress cracks in the fiberglass but I don't expect any. It seems more secure than my 2wd with an 8ft Fiamma. Thanks all for your comments and help!!

JeffRobenolt · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:49 am Post subject:

What is the best way to cut the cutting board?

Does the Hightop window still open?
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Agna · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:54 am Post subject:

The cutting board is real easy to cut. I used a chop saw (wood blade). Since the board I had was only about a inch think I cut multiple wedges and glued them together with high strength spray adhesive. Then I sanded any imperfection out with my belt sander. One thing I learned is that due to different angles of the wedge you can't just put one bolt through bracket/wedge/hardtop. You have to bolt the bracket on the wedge and then bolt that to the hardtop.
Yes, I can still open the windows in the hardtop. The melamine is real easy to shape.
If I were to do over I would try and find a think block of melamine to cut the wedge from. Also instead of metal spacers I might look into "injecting" some sort epoxy into the airspace gap.
Hope that helps
Steve

JeffRobenolt · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 11:47 am Post subject:

So did you use real long bolts that went through the awning bracket-wedge-through the hightop and a plate and nut on the inside?

or

????

Is melamine just a name for the cutting board?

I scored 2 awnings and want to put them on both of my Hightops.

Thanks, Jeff
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purplepeopleeater · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 4:01 pm Post subject:

That's how I pretty much installed mine, i'll add some photos...

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 4:02 pm Post subject:

Agna · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:29 pm Post subject:

Yes, after I bolted the brackets to the wedges with recessed bolts, I used long bolts that went through everything to a plate on the inside. I had to do it this way because the bolts have to be at a 90 degree angle from the surface or the plate will be tweaked.
Mike, looks like you bolted right to the high top. Are you concerned about the angle causing the awning to face upward? I read the instructions and it required the bracket to be level. Or am I being too picky?
Melamine- fancy word for plastic cutting board.
Steve

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:57 am Post subject:

Not really concerned about the angle, it looks better with the F35 leaning against the body.

What pictures don't show (thought I had one) is that I over sized the holes and behind each bracket I built an L bracket that matches the angle of the inside...this bracket is rivinutted to the body and will keep stress cracks at bay hopefully for along time.

being at an angle doesn't effect how the awning works either, not a huge fan of that, plus already looking like a star trek shuttle craft I don't need warp reaction chambers sticking out the sides.

JeffRobenolt · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:43 am Post subject:

You lost me with the "L" bracket. Is it inside the van or behind the awning bracket?

I'll try no wedge first.

Thanks, Jeff
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purplepeopleeater · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject:


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