I wonder whether anybody has had awning rails come loose .when you look at the strain which is put upon them.Even on our porch awning we have 3 top rails stretching the canvas out, then guy cords stretching even more and finally all the pegs holding it down.I did not include weather strains.
Stress on awning rails
- Thread starter Robert_374242026
- Start date
Hello Robert,
You are correct to consider the force that is applied through the awning fabric by all the fixing systems, and then don't forget the wind as well!
After all, you can get an ideal of the forces when you consider how sailing boats transfer the force of the wind to the mast, through a rail system similar to awnings.
I cannot recall seeing any awning flying off down the field with bits of the caravan still attached, so it is likely to be a fairly rare occurrence. However there is no doubt that as a caravan ages, the rail often needs to be retightened and some times removed and resealed.
In extreme cases I have seen parts of rail where the fixing screws have lost all grip due to water ingress and associated damp problems, but provide the seal is inspected regularly and repacked when necessary such issues are not usually a problem.
You are correct to consider the force that is applied through the awning fabric by all the fixing systems, and then don't forget the wind as well!
After all, you can get an ideal of the forces when you consider how sailing boats transfer the force of the wind to the mast, through a rail system similar to awnings.
I cannot recall seeing any awning flying off down the field with bits of the caravan still attached, so it is likely to be a fairly rare occurrence. However there is no doubt that as a caravan ages, the rail often needs to be retightened and some times removed and resealed.
In extreme cases I have seen parts of rail where the fixing screws have lost all grip due to water ingress and associated damp problems, but provide the seal is inspected regularly and repacked when necessary such issues are not usually a problem.
When I contacted Bailey they did not approve of canopies such as the Fiamma Zip or Omnistor 2000 that relied on the awning channel but to my surprise did approve ones that were bolted through the caravan sides.
I am fairly convinced that a great many of the water ingress problems on British caravans are due to the awning rails being screwed into the walls rather than into the roof as is the case with Continental caravans.
The stresses placed by the awning on British vans are such that the screws are likely to be pulled outward and the rail loosened.
The stresses placed by the awning on British vans are such that the screws are likely to be pulled outward and the rail loosened.
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