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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7635
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 Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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I bought some of these rope buckles, quality cord, and fancy tent stakes. It’s a $90 tent and I would have bought it for a $300 ARB anyways.
| Vanlife Geek wrote: |
One night got very windy, but the springs I now use on my guy lines did their job and there was no damage at all. I swear by those springs now and can rest easy when the wind picks up. https://amzn.to/3iVM0rf
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_________________
Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3100
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
If the NAPA awning has a cast aluminum counterpart to the black plastic part ARB it will likely bend poles and mounting points more easily in a wind or when being mishandled. The black plastic piece on the ARB awning flexes to protect the other parts (I've seen this in action). Probably not a big deal but it's an example of a design compromise to cut the cost.
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when did aluminum become inexpensive compared to plastic?
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7478
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| vanis13 wrote: |
when did aluminum become inexpensive compared to plastic? |
That's a really good question which makes me wonder why a flexible piece of plastic was replaced with an inflexible piece of potentially more expensive aluminum.
I assume the black plastic was used in the ARB awning for its flexibility. Is the aluminum part a design enhancement and if so, in what way?
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4492
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:39 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| revolution337 wrote: |
Once mounted, it is very sturdy. The only thing I noticed is that the single main gutter clamp mounting nut is not sitting flush across the whole face of the nut. The bolt/nut combo does not seem to mate perfectly at a 90* angle in order to do so. So only the lower "6 o clock" potion of the nut is in contact with the bracket surface. I tried loosening it and wiggling and repositioning the bracket to try and correct this, but to no avail. The clamps are still plenty snug, and with the use of the lock nut I don't fear them coming loose.
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Bevel washers. Fastenal has them, as do other sources.
https://www.fastenal.com/product/fasteners/washers...ry=Washers
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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revolution337
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 372
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:55 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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Good to know, I'll look into that.
_________________
1982 Westfalia AEB 1.8t
2017 VW Golf Sportwagen
2001 Audi A4 4.2 V8 swapped
2000 BMW Z3 roadster
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:56 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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I need the ARB poles to use with my Fiamma to adapt the ARB add-a-room. I really like the ARB screen room better than the Fiamma variety.
I could buy poles separately for a good price, but all vendors seem to be out of stock, or use the poles from this NAPA awning.
And the sweet thing is if you have a AAA membership you get 10% off.
Total is $95 delivered to my door.
Any one need a spare awning case with awning but no poles?
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3100
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:33 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| campism wrote: |
| revolution337 wrote: |
Once mounted, it is very sturdy. The only thing I noticed is that the single main gutter clamp mounting nut is not sitting flush across the whole face of the nut. The bolt/nut combo does not seem to mate perfectly at a 90* angle in order to do so. So only the lower "6 o clock" potion of the nut is in contact with the bracket surface. I tried loosening it and wiggling and repositioning the bracket to try and correct this, but to no avail. The clamps are still plenty snug, and with the use of the lock nut I don't fear them coming loose.
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Bevel washers. Fastenal has them, as do other sources.
https://www.fastenal.com/product/fasteners/washers...ry=Washers |
I'm surprised a bandaid would need needed. Seems like those brackets are well designed overall so this angled bolt seems out of place.
1 - did you ask the vendor? If so, what did they say?
2 - maybe the C clip on the inside could be flipped. Seems from the pictures like the hole is closer to one edge than the other.
edit - 2.5 - or the C could be pushed lower in the gutter?
3 - if 2 had the hole of center and it doesn't fit flipped, possibly the optimized for the later gutters (no top lip) and us with the older gutters (top lip bac towards center) get what you show.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make
Last edited by vanis13 on Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:56 am; edited 2 times in total |
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sphet
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2016
Posts: 345
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:40 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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I do not believe my Northwesty plates look like that. Is it possible that the inside plate is upside down and backwards?
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1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee |
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revolution337
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 372
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:13 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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I already tried flipping and rotating the inner gutter clamp piece, but that only made the alignment worse. What I have pictured is the best alignment that I was able to get from the clamp.
I did reach out to NorthWesty about this, I am waiting to hear back from them.
_________________
1982 Westfalia AEB 1.8t
2017 VW Golf Sportwagen
2001 Audi A4 4.2 V8 swapped
2000 BMW Z3 roadster
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3100
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:37 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| revolution337 wrote: |
I already tried flipping and rotating the inner gutter clamp piece, but that only made the alignment worse. What I have pictured is the best alignment that I was able to get from the clamp.
I did reach out to NorthWesty about this, I am waiting to hear back from them. |
cool, will be interesting what they say.
FYI, may be nice to re-start this topic with a relevant title like - North Westy awning bracket issue and copy/paste your posts in there and alink to this discussion so others can find out your resolution in the future instead of buried in this thread.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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valvecovergasket
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018
Posts: 1492
Location: pnw
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:41 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| revolution337 wrote: |
I already tried flipping and rotating the inner gutter clamp piece, but that only made the alignment worse. What I have pictured is the best alignment that I was able to get from the clamp.
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maybe reassemble to smash down some firm plastic washers?
delrin is pretty sturdy stuff
https://www.mcmaster.com/acetal-flat-washers/
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gone, but not forgotten: '83 tdi westy - swap thread |
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elyk
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2019
Posts: 5
Location: CA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:55 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| dobryan wrote: |
I need the ARB poles to use with my Fiamma to adapt the ARB add-a-room. I really like the ARB screen room better than the Fiamma variety.
I could buy poles separately for a good price, but all vendors seem to be out of stock, or use the poles from this NAPA awning.
And the sweet thing is if you have a AAA membership you get 10% off.
Total is $95 delivered to my door.
Any one need a spare awning case with awning but no poles? |
about to pull the trigger on the napa awning, are you saying you're able to use the napa awning w/ the ARB screen room? if so... that'd be neat! |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| elyk wrote: |
| dobryan wrote: |
I need the ARB poles to use with my Fiamma to adapt the ARB add-a-room. I really like the ARB screen room better than the Fiamma variety.
I could buy poles separately for a good price, but all vendors seem to be out of stock, or use the poles from this NAPA awning.
And the sweet thing is if you have a AAA membership you get 10% off.
Total is $95 delivered to my door.
Any one need a spare awning case with awning but no poles? |
about to pull the trigger on the napa awning, are you saying you're able to use the napa awning w/ the ARB screen room? if so... that'd be neat! |
I am using the ARB screen room on a Fiamma awning and need to use the upper side poles from an ARB.
Not sure if the NAPA version has the channel for the welting for the ARB room.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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So I been looking for the source of the NAPA awning in China, I want an enclosure to match,
I found this, they list different sizes avail. there are other suppliers.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2-5-3M-Scre...70330k4WZb
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 130
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:57 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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The awning was put into use this weekend. I wasn't sure I would use it, but after a mtb ride we needed some shade in the lot for a post ride beer.
My buddies set the awning up while I was still out on the trail, so it's not a perfect deployment, and no means a fault of the awning, but did the job.
Very happy for $99!
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xoo00oox
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2010
Posts: 2672
Location: East Nassau, NY
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:38 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| 69tr6r wrote: |
The awning was put into use this weekend. I wasn't sure I would use it, but after a mtb ride we needed some shade in the lot for a post ride beer.
My buddies set the awning up while I was still out on the trail, so it's not a perfect deployment, and no means a fault of the awning, but did the job.
Very happy for $99!
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Looks like they made no effort at all to make it tight and went right for the beer!
Where is that you are mountain biking at in CT? |
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 130
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:50 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| xoo00oox wrote: |
| 69tr6r wrote: |
The awning was put into use this weekend. I wasn't sure I would use it, but after a mtb ride we needed some shade in the lot for a post ride beer.
My buddies set the awning up while I was still out on the trail, so it's not a perfect deployment, and no means a fault of the awning, but did the job.
Very happy for $99!
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Looks like they made no effort at all to make it tight and went right for the beer!
Where is that you are mountain biking at in CT? |
Haha, very true! We went up to Kingdom Trails in Vermont. This is at the East Haven trail area. Awesome place to go if you haven't been yet! |
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7635
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 8:27 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| xoo00oox wrote: |
Looks like they made no effort at all to make it tight and went right for the beer!
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  F’ing hilarious
_________________
Keep on Busin'
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| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
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| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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vanagonjr
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