Awning seam

[Cali4nia-Dream]

Ours split just over a week ago whilst in Austria, then bumped into another club member with a T6 Ocean waiting for the ferry at Rotterdam, they had been in southern Germany and their awning had split as well.

Ours is a relatively small split at the moment, but still annoying. Going in to VW on Thursday for assessment, it would appear that they have to measure and photograph the damage. Then hopefully new one under warranty.

I don't have a problem with the concept of a weld across the awning as the rollout one we had on our old van was welded and we had no problems with it, which included being used in torrential heavy rain in Sweden and also in the Italian alps. (similar to that which caused all the flooding in the UK this week)

 

[WelshGas]

Yeah but you had egr issues WG if I remember correctly!

I think it must be be dependant on which shift your vehicle was built. Landrovers were easy. Avoid the Friday afternoon build slot.

Yep, faulty EGR electric motor drive.

Like most things in our modern society the prototype is tested to ensure it is fit for purpose but not the production model. That is upto the consumer that buys it.

It has been commented on that the awning was not fit for purpose, mine is and so was the prototype but obviously not some production models.

 

[pjm-84]

View media item 1560

 

[pjm-84]

Sadly I was around the other side of the vehicle avoiding the sun. Was fine this morning and when we returned back to the vehicle about midday.

 

[WelshGas]

Well I should now be in-line for a new awning. Should make some happy, but not the awning seam.
The Plastic catch/holder that the legs clip into when stowed has split in half. A simple fix if VW or Thule would supply the part but probably a complete awning replacement instead.

 

[Adamvanman]

Wonder if the MY18 Cali's still have the double seam?

 

[EddieEagle]

 

[iamchucky]

Happened to us over the weekend whilst in Snowdon (March 16 Cali). Sun was hot but we were in Wales and so I wouldn't say it was scorching... contacting VW tomorrow (fingers crossed its sorted before the next holiday & that assuming we get a replacement it'll be a non-seamed one!)

 

[CaliforniaSteve]

Help

We are camping in France and the sun awning seam (glued I think) has become unstuck and there is a big split across the awning. Had anyone else had this problem and if so do you have any idea how make a temporary repair?

 

[jeff]

Perhaps duck tape could be used to make a temporary fix.

 

[audio2]

See https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/awning-split.10456/

 

[Blubus]

This happened to us last year when we were in France we had to rope the awning shut for the remainder of the holiday If you search 'awning seam' there is quite a long thread. VW will replace under warranty with a seam free version, not that this helps you much now.

 

[CaliforniaSteve]

Perhaps duck tape could be used to make a temporary fix.

Yes I will try to get hold of some. Problem is I can’t wind in the awning until I male a repair and therefore I am stuck where we are parked

 

[CaliforniaSteve]

This happened to us last year when we were in France we had to rope the awning shut for the remainder of the holiday If you search 'awning seam' there is quite a long thread. VW will replace under warranty with a seam free version, not that this helps you much now.

Thanks. It helps to know it is a defect and it is still under warranty. However it is a bit of a pain as we have another 20 days of touring to go.

 

[Amarillo]

Yes I will try to get hold of some. Problem is I can’t wind in the awning until I male a repair and therefore I am stuck where we are parked

I found some Duck tape (or similar) in Lidl.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

 

[Shadrack]

Hi All,
Just happened to me with the heat of the uk! Ok in the morning 15 cm split I the seam.

Has to be a manufacturing fault.
Dealer has been notified and new part/s on order to be replaced under warranty.

 

[oryx white]

Ours has just gone when we were out in Le Mans at the Classique in 32C heat. Just replaced under warranty with an entirely new unit. I have just checked and the new one does not have a seam. Hurrah!

 

[T3OMF]

Ours is back at VW today as ours split 2 weekend ago, they said they are replacing the whole unit under warranty. I can also confirm the new one has no seam at all

 

[Spotlight Kid]

Ours is back at VW today as ours split 2 weekend ago, they said they are replacing the whole unit under warranty. I can also confirm the new one has no seam at all

That's good news. Mine went last week and have it booked in at the VW in a couple of weeks as I'm going away again.

 

[T3OMF]

Swindon VW said they had 2 in for the same lat week as well

 

[ArunAlec]

Maybe VW should have sticker on the awning, warning not to use the sun awning if is sunny.

 

[iamchucky]

Happened to us over the weekend whilst in Snowdon (March 16 Cali). Sun was hot but we were in Wales and so I wouldn't say it was scorching... contacting VW tomorrow (fingers crossed its sorted before the next holiday & that assuming we get a replacement it'll be a non-seamed one!)

View attachment 33857

Ours got replaced no issues - dealer aware of issue and so we didn't even have to show them the split, they simply ordered another awning and then advised when it was in. Arranged for wife to take the Cali in and they had it swapped over within the hour for us... many thanks to Eurovans for great service with this

New awning has no seam in it. Ours is a 2016 Ocean - think if I had a 'seamed' awning and still in warranty then I'd be contacting VW to look to get it changed to a seamless one under warranty as not really fit for purpose (even if it hadn't ripped).

 

[Loz]

Mine's coming apart, it started with a bubble about 6 inches from the edge.
However, my process is not as quite straight forward, Heritage Bristol want the Cali for 2 days, the 1st to look at it and agree that the seam is coming apart, only then will they order it overnight and replace it the next day.

 

[T3OMF]

Mine's coming apart, it started with a bubble about 6 inches from the edge.
However, my process is not as quite straight forward, Heritage Bristol want the Cali for 2 days, the 1st to look at it and agree that the seam is coming apart, only then will they order it overnight and replace it the next day.

Bring it to Swindon, they'll prob do it while you wait, its only 2 bolts. Just call them and they'll prob just order one in for you

Just picked mine up and they have replace the complete unit which is great, so no seam

Only minor down side is that I was hoping when they said they were replacing the whole thing, it was going to be more like the 2018 one, which sits closer to the van and had a rubber strip covering the gap. So I'm now guessing the 2018 one just uses different mounting brackets and comes with a rubber strip........... I'll pop in to TPS at some point

 

[Loz]

Bring it to Swindon, they'll prob do it while you wait, its only 2 bolts. Just call them and they'll prob just order one in for you

Just picked mine up and they have replace the complete unit which is great, so no seam

Only minor down side is that I was hoping when they said they were replacing the whole thing, it was going to be more like the 2018 one, which sits closer to the van and had a rubber strip covering the gap. So I'm now guessing the 2018 one just uses different mounting brackets and comes with a rubber strip........... I'll pop in to TPS at some point

I might ring them tomorrow..