Kampa UK

[brian_c]

Hello all. I have tried sending an E-mail to Kampa Uk.
I couldn't find an email address on their web site but tried one from an old post that I found on the forum. (max@kampa.co.uk)
It's quite a few days now and I've had no response.
I'm guessing the address is no longer valid or monitored.

However I am aware that their web site says to make contact via a dealer.

Well about three years ago when I could use a phone I had occasion to ring Kampa over a couple of problems. I couldn't have been more impressed with their help and friendly customer service attitude. So I'm wondering if now things may have changed. Has anyone else had problems contacting them. I don't fancy a 70 mile round trip just to talk to a supplier who probably won't be able to answer my question anyway.
Best wishes to all Brian.

 

[Dustydog]

www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/equipment...ravan-awning?start=0

Brian see the above link.
Maybe someone could ring Kampa for you.
They were absolutely brilliant at Easter sending me a new leg direct to our site.
Email relies on someone reading yours.Sometimes emails to large organisations disappear into their spam never to be seen again.

 

[brian_c]

www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/equipment...ravan-awning?start=0

Brian see the above link.
Maybe someone could ring Kampa for you.
They were absolutely brilliant at Easter sending me a new leg direct to our site.
Email relies on someone reading yours.Sometimes emails to large organisations disappear into their spam never to be seen again.

Hello Dusty thank you for the reply.
I can understand why companies are reluctant to allow random e-mail contacts they would probably need to delegate someone to the role which obviously wouldn't be cost effective to them.
I'll have to get someone to give them a call for me or just get myself in the car and drive to the dealers. It's just taking pot luck that they will have the time to get involved on the day I arrive.
Anyway your experience sounds like Kampa are still as good as they were when I had my problem with my new awning. I'll have to wait until a friend returns from his holiday mind you he is a firm believer that anyone who holidays in a caravan rather than a Benidorm hotel must be mad. (I usually give him as much stick back as he gives me though)
Going suddenly deaf has (Is) teaching me something I've never had in my life, and that's "Patience"
Cheers Brian

 

[Mel]

Hi Brian. You could go "retro" and write them a letter and suggest that they email you. I would certainly let them know you are Deaf and expect an appropriate "disability aware" response. My view is that if you are have a disability, there are very few advantages, but playing the disability card when it is in your interests to do so, is well worth while.
My son finds using the phrase, " you do realise I am severly dyslexic and visually impaired" damn useful when confronted by a person who has had a helpfulness echtomy.
Mel

 

[Gagakev]

Brian is it a question that the awning owners on here can try and find an answer for you??
Maybe worth asking mate.

 

[brian_c]

Brian is it a question that the awning owners on here can try and find an answer for you??
Maybe worth asking mate.

Yes Kev. It's a strange problem with one of the air poles on my 260 Air awning.
With my back to the van it's the left hand pole. The last twice I have used the awning this leg has kinked over about two foot up from the bottom. The awning looks to be in a bit of a stagger. Each time I have corrected it but feel with minimum sideways pressure it would go again. The weather on both occasions whilst wet wasn't windy so no real issues.
I just don't feel confident now that given anything above a strong breeze the awning would remain upright at that side.
I've unzipped the outer covering and exposed the inner covering. I haven't tried removing it just tried twisting it a bit hoping to ensure its aligned properly. The inner protective covering zip still has the cable tie securing strap fitted.
The awning has had about 20-30 outings in the three years I've had it with absolutely no issues at all I am a bit baffled really I've started to imagine that the inner protective sleeve has become weakened in someway although there is no physical or visual evidence I can point at to suspect that.
I was hoping to just have a bit of contact with the experts if this is something they have come across. Before taking the bull by the horns and removing the inner protective covering and the actual inner tube altogether with a view to reassembling in the hope that any twisting/kinking can be rectified.
I would have also got a price for replacement at the same time I'm not sure how long the inner tubes should last but I'm guessing my proposed dismantling and pulling and tugging may in itself expose any weak points.
Hopefully I have explained the situation and my thoughts for a solution. That's the trouble with emails. Two or three minutes on the phone with someone familiar with the make up of the air tubes would I'm sure give me a few pointers to a solution.
Thanks for your reply.
Bests wishes Brian

 

[Hutch]

Brian, found this little bit, reference the valve, not sure if this could be a possible problem. But looks like you have done most things, bit of soapy water around the valves, could show up a slow leak.

http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/97923-contacting-kampa-ref-air-awning/.
Hutch.

 

[brian_c]

Brian, found this little bit, reference the valve, not sure if this could be a possible problem. But looks like you have done most things, bit of soapy water around the valves, could show up a slow leak.

http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/97923-contacting-kampa-ref-air-awning/.
Hutch.

Thank you for that Hutch.
It looks like the guy I have e-mailed spends quite a time out of office. So I'm thinking there is still a possibility he will get back to me.
Some of the other stories on the link point to some people having real problems with their awnings. I was and still am of the opinion that unless the inner tubes have an unfortunate fault at time of assembly then I fail to see how they could become punctured. Looking at the sturdiness of the two surrounding sleeves.
I think only sheer bad luck or abuse could damage them.

I'll give it until after my next outing then I'm going to have a go at removing, then refitting my troublesome pole. It's had quite a good number of outings now in fact I was working it out a while ago and I'm guessing at about thirty outings since I've had it.
Cheers for now
Brian

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Brian
What you describe is exactly what happened to me.The polythene inner tube Was fine .The middle tube however had torn allowin a hernia to appear on the outside.Kampa sent me a new middle and inner tube.All fixed.
Mine was less than a year old.
I did post a few pics of the damage but don't have them on my phone.
I'm happy to ring Kama on your behalf if you wish.All I'd need is your email via a mod and model number. I could ask Kampa to email you and set the wheels in motion.

 

[Hutch]

Brian, if its like Dusty says, and the middle tube has split, I found a great repair tape for Polythene, its the Gorrilla tape "Clear", 3" wide. I would think the black would also be ok. I bought mine from Wilko supermarkets.

 

[brian_c]

Hi Brian
What you describe is exactly what happened to me.The polythene inner tube Was fine .The middle tube however had torn allowin a hernia to appear on the outside.Kampa sent me a new middle and inner tube.All fixed.
Mine was less than a year old.
I did post a few pics of the damage but don't have them on my phone.
I'm happy to ring Kama on your behalf if you wish.All I'd need is your email via a mod and model number. I could ask Kampa to email you and set the wheels in motion.

Hello Dusty thank you very much for your kind offer.
My friend will be back next week so I should be ok to contact them. I can sit with him whilst he calls and answer any questions that come up.
I'm very interested in what you say regarding your awning problem.
I can understand that damage to the inner covering could cause the leg to distort in the way that mine has done the last two outings..
Like I said in my earlier post I did look at the inner covering but didn't see any damage however all I really did was twist it a little to see if it had come out of line in any way. I really thought that alignment was the problem.
I'm thinking now that by isolating the various valves I could have reduced the pressures on that individual leg so enabling a better examination.
My dodgy one is the left hand leg about two foot up from the bottom.
(left hand is with me stood in the awning with my back to the van)
From your experience it seems like I may need to get a new inner tube and first cover. At least that must solve the issue:- bringing that particular leg back to new or as good as.
I'll get my friend to give them a call when he is back and after that I suppose any Kampa stockist will be able to order the parts for me. At least I can save my self a round trip of 70 odd miles to the original supplier.
Thanks again for you kind offer. That's another Beer I owe you, the last one (still owed) was for your advice to visit The River Valley site a couple of years ago.
Best regards Brian

 

[Sproket]

Hello Brian

I have had one of my legs do the same thing and it was easily sorted.
When the awning is fully deflated if you unzip the bottom of the leg and if you look inside the bottom is held in place by a pad of velcro mine had twisted round more than likely done when rolling it up to put it away. ..it's worth having a look as that holds it in place until it's inflated ....i think that when they are manufactured and put together they use this method to align them ..

 

[Dustydog]

Hello Brian

I have had one of my legs do the same thing and it was easily sorted.
When the awning is fully deflated if you unzip the bottom of the leg and if you look inside the bottom is held in place by a pad of velcro mine had twisted round more than likely done when rolling it up to put it away. ..it's worth having a look as that holds it in place until it's inflated ....i think that when they are manufactured and put together they use this method to align them ..

This is true Your Woosieness as is the top.
I never realised the extent of failure until I pulled out the middle and inner tubes.
The middle tubes are a similar material to those massive gravel bags. Maybe gorilla and gaffer tape may work but I'm not sure if they could take the pressure. Anyone tried it?

 

[brian_c]

Thanks again gents for your comments. I will get it out on the back lawn. (Well if it ever stops Raining) it will give me an opportunity to try out my new pump, batteries and Anderson connectors that have all now arrived and been set up.
Another slight story there, my crimping tool isn't suitable for the connectors so I ruined one trying. I've resorted to good old soldering for the rest.
Thanks again for both lots of advice.
Oh and by the way the Bravo Pump isn't half noisy. It sounds loud to me :woohoo: hope I don't disturb the peace on too many sites. At least I probably won't hear any complaints. :S
Best regards Brian

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hi Brian_CI am now becoming an expert with repairs on Kampa awnings .I am now on my third set of tubes for mine..Musnt complain Kampa have been brilliant I couldnt wish for better service. Kevin@kampa is the lad you need to be in touch with.Dust is quite right about repositioning the leg the velcro fastener does the trick.Good luck and any problems you can contact me via Parksy .
Regards Sir Roger

 

[brian_c]

Hi Brian_CI am now becoming an expert with repairs on Kampa awnings .I am now on my third set of tubes for mine..Musnt complain Kampa have been brilliant I couldnt wish for better service. Kevin@kampa is the lad you need to be in touch with.Dust is quite right about repositioning the leg the velcro fastener does the trick.Good luck and any problems you can contact me via Parksy .
Regards Sir Roger

Hello Sir Roger. And thank you for your reply.
I have done a temporary bodge on my dodgy leg that stood all yesterday with no problem at all.
With a bit of help I have now been in touch with Kampa. It must have been a bit bizzar for the chap I spoke with because after my wife rang them and explained I was deaf I then went on the phone and explained the situation.
Having then passed the phone back to her the guy at Kampa said that he would forward a new inner sleeve to replace the one I had repaired(Bodged)
When my wife asked about payment he said there was no need it was complimentary.
I have to say I am more than impressed with Kampas attitude to problems with their equipment I know the cynics of the world will say it's in their own interest but service like I'm receiving for a near three year old awning I think is exceptional. (My faith is restored)

Best wishes Brian

 

[brian_c]

Well just to close off my original post the promised sleeve arrived today. I'm more than happy because Kampa have also included the polythene inner tube as well.
I am now set up ok to bring this leg of the Awning back to virtual new condition. All credit to the good customer services people at Kampa.
Thanks to all forum members for the advice and information.

Best wishes to all.
Brian