Blow up Awning repairs - Cheshire/north west

[VickyM]

Hello! Couple of issues with our Kampa blow up awning whilst on holiday in Devon…

Firstly, woken up to a rip in the roof of the awning which we’ll try and get repaired when we return home. Can anyone recommend a company to do this in Cheshire or North west England please.

Secondly, the rip was caused by the rotary washing line which we had inside the awning due to all the rain. During the night, the tubes bent causing the awning to sag and catch on the rotary. Does anyone know why the tubes would bend? They have enough air in them.

Thank you

 

[Buckman]

Unfortunately you may have to scrap the awning due to type of material they use on some Kampa awnings. Also depends on the size of the rip. If an expensive awning costing in excess of £1000, why not put in an insurance claim?

 

[otherclive]

The tubes will never be as rigid as a poled awning, so more movement may be expected. Increasing pressure isn’t an option as it too may damage the bladders. Hope it is repairable.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Bladders sagging is down to one of those things.

1. Insufficient Pressure either due to not enough in the first place or a leak, or
2. Too much water collecting on the roof between the tubes. My air awning came with monsoon poles which are used to support the centre air tubes to prevent exactly that happening. (A previous fairly lightweight Kampa we had also had monsoon poles.)

 

[Raywood]

I would not worry about the repairer being local as most have a collect and deliver service. Camperlands in Manchester do have a repair service if you want local.

 

[Buckman]

Bladders sagging is down to one of those things.

1. Insufficient Pressure either due to not enough in the first place or a leak, or
2. Too much water collecting on the roof between the tubes. My air awning came with monsoon poles which are used to support the centre air tubes to prevent exactly that happening. (A previous fairly lightweight Kampa we had also had monsoon poles.)

Just to add that if the it was a hot day, the bladders may have ben to the correct pressure, but with the rain and wind cooling down the air, the pressure in the bladders probably changed which is why they collapsed.

 

[Mel]

I think flexing a bit in strong wind is what air awnings do? Ours certainly has done.
Anyway, not entirely local but also do a collection service, Specialised canvas in Chesterfield ( near Poolsbrook Country park). Extended an awning for us, nice neat job.
Mel

 

[Seblo]

The only way rainwater will start to puddle is if there isn't enough pressure in the tubes or the space between the tubes isn't taut.

Hate to say it but the awning may well be scrap, hard to say without pictures. Find out the cost of the repair then make the decision if it's worth it.

You could temp repair yourself with some repair tape (on both sides, inside and out) you can get from Screwfix / Toolstation etc. How long it will last is anyone's guess but it should see you thru to the end of your trip. It might last the season

 

[Buckman]

The only way rainwater will start to puddle is if there isn't enough pressure in the tubes or the space between the tubes isn't taut.

Hate to say it but the awning may well be scrap, hard to say without pictures. Find out the cost of the repair then make the decision if it's worth it.

You could temp repair yourself with some repair tape (on both sides, inside and out) you can get from Screwfix / Toolstation etc. How long it will last is anyone's guess but it should see you thru to the end of your trip. It might last the season

Partly right, but also design of awning may also allow water to puddle as we found out with our Kampa Air Ace which was the worst awning we had ever bought. Sold it after several nigths at a loss and bought the poled Magnum which we have now had for almost 8 years.

 

[otherclive]

The only way rainwater will start to puddle is if there isn't enough pressure in the tubes or the space between the tubes isn't taut.

Hate to say it but the awning may well be scrap, hard to say without pictures. Find out the cost of the repair then make the decision if it's worth it.

You could temp repair yourself with some repair tape (on both sides, inside and out) you can get from Screwfix / Toolstation etc. How long it will last is anyone's guess but it should see you thru to the end of your trip. It might last the season

I’ve used Mcnett Tenacious Repair tape on tents and jackets and it does the job very well.

 

[Seblo]

"Partly right".... how very dare you

Awnings always slope away from the caravan wall. If the fabric is tight between the poles / tubes the water cannot begin to gather.

FWIW I didn't say it was or wasn't anything to do with the awning design, just said if the awning isn't taut water could gather

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Vicky
sorry to hear about the damage.
These people will be able to fix it for you. http://triopair.com/

Kampa air awnings are not good in high or gusting winds. My Kampa Rallye Air lies in the loft following a similar failure. We gave up and went back to our carbon x Isabella.
The Kampa tubes are only thin polythene . Maximum pressure cold is 11 psi. My electric Kampa pump automatically cut out at the correct level.
I tried various methods of different guy ropes to overcome the bend problem with no success. There was also a condensation issue which we fixed with the Kampa inner ceiling liner.
The tube is actually three tubes in one ,outer , middle and the air inner tube itself. The middle and outer tubes can twist. Check and straighten. May need the zips releasing to do this. Hope it works out for you

 

[VickyM]

Thanks all. As a temporary repair we bought duct tape and stuck it over the rip, which saw us right until the end of our holiday. We also bought an extandable decorators pole from a local Wickes, attached a towel to the top (to stop it piercing the tube) and used it to prop up the awning. We're relatively new to caravanning but in the year we've been doing it the awning has never been so rigid!!
We've since bought proper repair tape but will look into the cost of awning repair. We're also going to have a look at the inner tubes and see if they are twisted or need replacing.
Appreciate all the suggestions. Don't know what I'd do without this forum!

 

[Beachball]

Try http://www.tentvaletingservices.co.uk/
A very good firm and helpful staff when we had a awning extended .