awning rail fitting

[carl_374234899]

can any one advise me on fitting awning rails and if we could use glue alone. we want to fit a small rail under existing rail for a porch awning. leaving the top for our canapy. many thanks

 

[cris_408518]

There are various sealing strips and mastics that go under the rails to prvent water getting in the screw or rivet holes.

I use Sikaflex 221. On a clean surface and done with thought and care Sikaflex should hold the rail safely with no need for drilling or screws or rivets!

 

[ThePlotter]

No expert in these matters but would have thought glue alone would not be strong enough as when very windy it often creates a suction effect pulling the awning away from the van so not sure if glue would hold no matter what type is used,if glue would do I am sure manufaturers of vans would do it that way.Which leaves srews but then the problem what to screw into just going into an aluminium panel would not be strong enough.

 

[cris_408518]

Sikaflex will hold the awining with no problem if applied to a good clean dry surfaces and allowed to cure fully. It will give a complete even load spread rather that having screws or rivets pulling through an Ali panel or splitting fibre glass.

A 3" x 1.5"plate bonded with sikaflex to a vehicle side correctly would hold my weight when I was over 20 stones.

 

[rob_jax]

Sikaflex 221 is a polyurethane based adhesive that cures to form a strong, water-proof and flexible joint. It is used in caravan construction and used to bond car windscreens to the body.

However Sikaflex 221s is a bu@@er to remove, and the bond can be so strong as to cause damage when you do prise the parts apart.

And because it has a high adhesive strength, it's ultimately not as flexible as a pure butyl mastic sealer - like Hodgson Phoenix or Caraseal 303

Over on our Eriba owners forum, where Eribae from the 1960's pop-up regularly with re-sealing questions, the recommendation is to use a 100% butyl mastic - this is very flexible, has a life expectancy of 20+ years, and a low "tack" grip - and doesn't "set" so it's easy to break apart after another 20+ years

Suppliers include Hodgson Sealants in North Humberside or Caraseal from most caravan service centres.

Robert