suncamp scenic plus awning - rain collecting in roof

[Ewan_5130997]

Recently bought a sscenic plus porch awning for using with my Bailey Ranger 550/6. Goes up easily and stays dry inside in rain. However, during heavy rain, a pool gathers in the roof section which in turn catches on the door of the van when the weight of the rain causes the roof to sag.

Has anyone any ideas how to eleviate this problem?

 

[Damian]

Ewan, the usual cause of this happening is not having the awning taut enough, however, looking at the catalogue pictures it looks like its a design fault, or a bad photo, as the roof appears to be higher at the front than the back, in which case there is not an easy answer.

 

[Ewan_5130997]

Thanks Damian. Now that you mention it, I think it is the runners for the poles that are retaining the water. A few gaps in them would probably let the water run off.

 

[Olly]

Just as many people carry a length of wood for the purpose of levelling their van. Would it perhaps help to carry two such pieces so that both wheels of the van - and thus the back part of the awning - might be raised by three or four inches I wonder?

Olivier.

 

[Olly]

Hello again Ewan.

The comment I made about raising the entire van on two levelling planks to create a more pronounced slope from the back to the front of the awning had two purposes. Firstly it was intended as a helpful suggestion to you and secondly, I thought that it might prompt the more experienced members of the Forum to provide their expert opinion.

I say this because we have exactly the same problem as you. Our lightweight awning turns into a paddling pool every time there is moderate to heavy rain - complete with the blocked door and buckled frame. Thus, the 'two plank' suggestion was a method I was considering as a cure.

However, since that suggestion was made, I have had cause to speak to the dealer about another issue and as soon as I mentioned the awning to him in the hope he might come up with an answer, his immediate response was; "Send it back and we will give you a full refund".

So from this unquestioning reaction, I suspect that the problem might be more widespread than is realised and that further more, there is no easy solution. The thing is, the awning takes up so little storage space and is so easy to put up that we are loath not to hang on to it. Let's hope that someone comes up with a flash of inspiration

Olivier.

 

[Ewan_5130997]

Hi Olivier

I know what you mean. In dry weather or light rain, the scenic plus is excellent.

We are off again next weekend (and no doubt it will be raining) I wil have another look at it. I thought about trying to extend the bottom fastening for the poles to increase the slope of the awning, but dont know if that will be possible.

Before I bought the awning, I checked the forum and there were quite a few positive reviews of it. I am a bit surprised no-one else has had this problem. (or has the dry summer fooled us all).

 

[cokey1970]

Ewan, I've had the same problem with rain collecting on the roof but only on certain occasions. I've found that it's down to how level the pitch is.

Last month, we stayed on a CL in Scarborough that had hard standings. The front of the van was raised slightly higher to make it level and we had rain gather on the roof of the Secnic Plus.

However, we went to Chatsworth last week and the van was level on the pitch without any adjusting. It rained all day and night on Wednesday and no rain gathered on the roof.

 

[Ewan_5130997]

Thanks Martin. I suppose it is only fair to give the awning a fair trial. If the rain stays off long enough to check the levels that is.

In fairness to Sunncamp, even with all the water gathered on the roof, it didnt leak.

 

[cokey1970]

Had the awning for over a year now and it's been one of the best buys we've made.

Given time, I think you'll find the rain collecting is a minor inconvenience to what is a great awning.

 

[L_5128878]

We've used our seneic on several different units, and have yet to have a water problem, and we have been in some pretty ugly rain. I think you need to adjust your poles when first setting it up. always made mine tight across the top with a good slope. You'll get the hang of it, and won't remember the problems, they are lovely.

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

We have had a similar problem with the awning roof sagging in heavy rain with our new full Dorema awning on a Bailey Bretangue on a sloping site in Cornwall. Hubby partly sorted out the problem by moving the position of the 2 extra awning poles. Haven't had the problem on a flat pitch.

Annette

 

[Ewan_5130997]

Thanks L

However on the few times I have used it, I was under the impression that the runners for the poles would not allow any adjustment. I will have to have a look next weekend.

 

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

We have had no problems whatsoever with the Scenic Plus, even in really heavy rain. Maybe your levelling skills, rather than awning erecting skills, need revisiting???????

 

[Dave_374225779]

Hi Ewan,

I had a similar problem when I first put up my new annex. No matter how I tried I couldnt get it any more taut than when I first started. What I ended up doing was criss crossing some narrow washing line between the poles to catch any sagging. It wasn't the ideal solution but it worked.

Dave

 

[RickyLionheart]

My scenic awning is exactly the same, pool of water gathered in the top, I usually push it out with a brush but make sure there is no one walking past

 

[Ewan_5130997]

Used the awning again last week in York. Van was perfectly level, but still pools of water in the roof (although not as bad as before). Spoke to a few more experienced caravanners and we have decided that the problemlies with the height of the awning rail.(or the length of the poles.) I recon I need about 4" off the bottom of the poles to give the perfect slpoe to allow the water to run off.

 

[TheTravelMan]

I have the sunncamp ultima 260 awning, which is great and until the bad heavy rain we had during august. again as you all have described pool's of water gather in the roof section making it sag right down with the ulima being two sections we had two huge pools gathering i tryed variuos methods to stop it but no result. i was also finding that through the heavier rain it was also leaking thru the awning rail causing a water fall of water down the side of the caravan and soaking everything within the awning!!

 

[Olly]

Used the awning again last week in York. Van was perfectly level, but still pools of water in the roof (although not as bad as before). Spoke to a few more experienced caravanners and we have decided that the problemlies with the height of the awning rail.(or the length of the poles.) I recon I need about 4" off the bottom of the poles to give the perfect slpoe to allow the water to run off.

So when you buy two short planks to raise your van, they need to be four inches thick perhaps!