Adapting an Awning

[Olly]

We have changed our caravan and the new one has increased the size by just over a metre but at present don't want to go to the expense of buying a new awning as our old one is very little used.

As an interim measure, I have been told that it is possible to adapt a too-small awning to fit a van by the following method.

1 - The plastic bead which is fed through the awning channel is 'broken' ( see below ) so that awning can be fed into the channel at the break point rather at the end. This produces a 'flap' which isn't in the channel.

2 - This 'flap' is then attached to the van with a support pole in the same way that porch awnings are attached.

3 - The position of the 'break point' needs to be measured accurately as I suppose it needs to be equal to the height above ground of the awning channel to the rear of the van.

Has anyone used such an adapted awning and if so, is it as relatively simple as it seems and are there any pitfalls to look out for..?

All suggestions welcome; thanks,

Olly.

 

[MalcolmL]

Not sure I follow your described method but it might just be me!

The normal method of extending an awning is for the awning to be partially separated/unstitched and a triangle inserted in the roof at either side. The beading can be patched or a complete new section sewn in. This way, the awning is wider at the rear, next to the caravan, but the original size at the front so doors, zips etc don't have to be altered. I guess an approximate cost would be c.

 

[PeaJay]

Hi Oliver, yes it is as simple as it seems. Do just what your list suggests. I have used a smaller Isabella in just this way, no problems.

Peter

 

[Olly]

Thank you for your comment Malcolm - I appreciate that my description of the hoped-for procedure was difficult to follow but it's a bit like describing a spiral staircase without using your hands.

In fact your suggestion of having an insert added to the top section of the awning would have been the preferred option but for the fact that a call to the manufacturer produced the information that the increased dimension could not be handled in such a fashion ( it was too big apparently ).

So it's 'thank you' Peter for your reassurance that the sequence I have been advised to follow will have the desired result. I understand that the 'rear' pole of a Porch Awning is used but how did you replicate the foam pads that are built into the side section of such an awning?

Unless there is an easier way, I am planning to buy a 20cm wide strip of fairly firm sponge of the desired length to make the side fairly weather-proof.

Thanks both for replying to my question.

Olly.

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi

We use just the system you describe, we have a 950 Ventura awning on a van with full awning size of 1088, the pole you need is available from Isabella and comes with wrap around padding to form a draught proof fitting against the caravan, most dealers should be able to supply you with one.To break the awning cord, measure from ground to awning channel vertically and you can then measure and mark the point to break,we found the best way is to break the cord but not to cut the outer covering.

 

[MalcolmL]

I have re-read your post and NOW I understand it! In fact, this is what we had done to an Isabella awning which started life as an 800cm, was increased to 860cm and was finally altered to make a very large porch awning. In fact, I now use it almost to the exclusion of the full sized Isabella which I had to buy before having the old (1991 vintage) awning altered. I had ours altered by SMG in Musselburgh who sewed in a short "tail" which has an eyelet at the end. I use this with a guy rope to stop the awning sliding along the channel before it's fully pegged out.

 

[Olly]

Thanks for all of your comments.

Olly.