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rmcd
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1349
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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 Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| revolution337 wrote: |
Received my NorthWesty awning brackets from UPS today. Got to work straight away on getting the awning installed. As I suspected, the bolt pattern/hole size that the brackets came pre drilled with was not a direct match up to the NAPA brand awning. Luckily, it was pretty simple to modify the brackets to make them work. All I had to do was enlarge the two top holes to 5/16". Then I also enlarged a spot of the lower long, slotted section to also accept a 5/16" bolt. A trip to my local hardware store, and I got 6, 5/16" bolts that are 5/16" long, as well as washers and locking nuts. Each bracket then got 3 of the nuts/bolt combo.
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.
I have not yet reached out to NorthWesty about this, but I likely will next week. Curious to know if anyone else has had this issue with the NorthWesty brackets? Their website claims that these brackets should work on all styles of rain gutters.
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Thanks for posting. Does your slider rub?
_________________
VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight= |
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rmcd
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1349
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| VanAllen_84 wrote: |
I currently have a TRANS-2000 awning. Anyone know if I could get away with using the current gutter mounts for this awning?
And how easy is it to setup? |
Kind of? I used my modified transawn brackets. I didn’t install the new awning high enough on the transawn brackets so the new awning bag drags a little on the sliding door.
Either way You will need to drill holes in both parts.
Use three brackets if you have them.
_________________
VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight= |
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VanAllen_84
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2016
Posts: 55
Location: Ventura County
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| Quote: |
Kind of? I used my modified transawn brackets. I didn’t install the new awning high enough on the transawn brackets so the new awning bag drags a little on the sliding door.
Either way You will need to drill holes in both parts.
Use three brackets if you have them. |
Unfortunately, I only have two brackets with my current setup. Can you post some pics of your setup and measurements of the holes you drilled?
Thanks!
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1984 VW Vanagon Westfalia 1.9L Water-cooled (aka "Osmo") |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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revolution337
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 372
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 4:51 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| rmcd wrote: |
| Thanks for posting. Does your slider rub? |
My slider does not rub, although the clearance is quite small.
Also, the pop top is able to clear the mounting bolts as well. I think the key here is to use as short of a bolt/nut combo as possible when attaching the brackets to the awning.
_________________
1982 Westfalia AEB 1.8t
2017 VW Golf Sportwagen
2001 Audi A4 4.2 V8 swapped
2000 BMW Z3 roadster
-Mark |
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rmcd
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1349
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| VanAllen_84 wrote: |
| Quote: |
Kind of? I used my modified transawn brackets. I didn’t install the new awning high enough on the transawn brackets so the new awning bag drags a little on the sliding door.
Either way You will need to drill holes in both parts.
Use three brackets if you have them. |
Unfortunately, I only have two brackets with my current setup. Can you post some pics of your setup and measurements of the holes you drilled?
Thanks! |
I will next week. My van is away at the spa spending my money like a drunk sailor. Maybe late next week?
_________________
VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight= |
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gregaz
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2012
Posts: 407
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| revolution337 wrote: |
| rmcd wrote: |
| Thanks for posting. Does your slider rub? |
My slider does not rub, although the clearance is quite small.
Also, the pop top is able to clear the mounting bolts as well. I think the key here is to use as short of a bolt/nut combo as possible when attaching the brackets to the awning. |
He's likely asking because of that rub mark on the side of the van, where the slider opens. Check to see if your inside handle is installed properly - you can install them vertically (wrong way) or horizontally (right way). I have a matching stripe on mine, and found out the hard way, it's because I installed the handle vertically ... |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3042
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:53 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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It's a little bit of a pain to set up. I don't know how anyone does it as a 1 person job, but with 2 people it's doable. And for $90 with a AAA discount, it's really hard to beat. Seems fairly durable. So durable+cheap, you have to give up easy to use. Solid buy (without considering the effects of subsidizing our luxurious lifestyles on the backs of the 3rd world, lol) in my opinion.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 673
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:22 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
It's a little bit of a pain to set up. I don't know how anyone does it as a 1 person job, but with 2 people it's doable. And for $90 with a AAA discount, it's really hard to beat. Seems fairly durable. So durable+cheap, you have to give up easy to use. Solid buy (without considering the effects of subsidizing our luxurious lifestyles on the backs of the 3rd world, lol) in my opinion.
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4G tht vans looking great
I followed ur build thread and saw how it was
Mad Skills!
T
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3042
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 9:14 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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Thanks man!
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9609
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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You'll figure out how to do it solo if forced to do so a couple times.
It's not so bad if there's no wind.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
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smeeegheeead
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2021
Posts: 48
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh.... they're really easy to bend too. Sooo take your time. Ask me how I know. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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I've had the awning for weeks leaning against my fireplace.
It has just been too hot or too wet to mount it!
Today is a top 10 day so I've been doing yard work and decided to mount the awning.
I have the "Hauler Rack" and there were several mount options but I decided to mount the awning on the aluminum verticals from the rain gutters.
I used the supplied bracket as my hole template
To catch the drill shavings (I'm on the grass) I put cheap duct tape to good use as a chip collector!
Holes drilled
Mounted!
There is a balancing difficultly when working alone but I got it done!
Something I didn't notice is the grooves on the aluminum are NOT centered on the rack support.
The grooves are much closer to the top of the rack than to the bottom.
I only found this out when mounting it the bottom of the awning caught on the rack mount.
Oh well, I'll pick up some longer bolts and some spacers, it will work just fine.
Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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Igeo
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018
Posts: 888
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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Looks great. Like your cargo rack. Does it sing on the highway?
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4789
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| smeeegheeead wrote: |
| Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh.... they're really easy to bend too. Sooo take your time. Ask me how I know. |
You know, and I know, and Thee know....
-- Charles Bukowski |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7468
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:48 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| DanHoug wrote: |
You know, and I know, and Thee know....
-- Charles Bukowski |
It has not occurred to me to bring Bukowski into this forum. Impressive.
_________________
- 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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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1858
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:54 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| Yeah there is a sag in the roof. I have some fiberglass tent poles I've kept from old tents. May sew in some velcro straps to hold a center bow arched across the middle. Right now I wouldn't leave it unattended in the rain. I also considered a brass grommet in the center that could serve two purposes. A drain into a rain catchment jug, or a reinforced hole for a pin on the end of a telescopic pole to create a peak so it sheds water. Used it this weekend for shade while camping on the kenai to floss for red salmon. |
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2796
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:32 am Post subject: Re: $99 NAPA Awning- Copy of ARB? |
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| alaskadan wrote: |
| Yeah there is a sag in the roof. I have some fiberglass tent poles I've kept from old tents. May sew in some velcro straps to hold a center bow arched across the middle. Right now I wouldn't leave it unattended in the rain. I also considered a brass grommet in the center that could serve two purposes. A drain into a rain catchment jug, or a reinforced hole for a pin on the end of a telescopic pole to create a peak so it sheds water. Used it this weekend for shade while camping on the kenai to floss for red salmon. |
If rain is in the forecast, lower one pole and raise the other so one corner is a foot or more lower than the other. Think about where the runoff is going to go when you do this. EDIT: This is what I do on my ARB, I'm just assuming it works on these NAPA offerings.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
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