Awning Split

[Rich20]

This needs to be challenged as this is an inherent fault at the time of manufacture. There should be a proper recall but as it is not a safety issue that is highly unlikely. Thule or VW should take ownership of this and replace the material without question.

 

[Loz]

O no. 40 degrees and ours has melted along the seam. Only in a couple of places. Out of warranty now.
Any recommendations on glue, as seems too good to Bin (and spend £270)

If I was you, I would do a gaffer tape fix both sides for now. Then when you get home find a vinyl floor company or a marquee manufacturer who has a heat joining gun that can weld the seam together.

 

[Doorbundle]

If I was you, I would do a gaffer tape fix both sides for now. Then when you get home find a vinyl floor company or a marquee manufacturer who has a heat joining gun that can weld the seam together.

Looks like a sensible solution.

 

[altvic]

Be careful that you don’t thicken the join too much that it will not roll up. Try single side masking tape on top first?

 

[Spotlight Kid]

This is a known issue with the awnings that have a seam where the glue melts in hot weather. It happened to me last year and the whole assembly was replaced under warranty. The new awning is a single sheet with no seam.

 

[CYCLOPATH]

This needs to be challenged as this is an inherent fault at the time of manufacture. There should be a proper recall but as it is not a safety issue that is highly unlikely. Thule or VW should take ownership of this and replace the material without question.

I think they now make it as one piece, so it is only us withe the older vans who are caught. 39 degrees seems to be the upper temperature limit, as I’ve been in higher 30s with no problem, it’s just this years cannicule over 40

 

[DanJ]

Our awning glue melted in the heat in Cornwall last weekend. Luckily we noticed before it became longer than the length of decent sticky tape we had available. Stuck it top and bottom, and wound it in before the wind came in!
Our Cali is a 2015 ... has anyone had any luck with a 4 year old warranty claim?
The very first time I wound out the awning I thought, 'what a daft place to have a seam, it'll fail there one day!' Now it has, I see that many others have suffered the same failure. Disappointing.

 

[Loz]

Our Cali is a 2015 ... has anyone had any luck with a 4 year old warranty claim?

Unfortunate, I don’t suppose you purchased the 5 year warranty? otherwise maybe push for some good will?

 

[Joker 1299]

Unfortunate, I don’t suppose you purchased the 5 year warranty? otherwise maybe push for some good will?

Two things spring to mind, but I’m not a lawyer (maybe someone who is, or Tom @Amarillo can chime in?):
1. The statute of limitations gives six years to bring a (non-personal injury) claim and
2. Latent (or hidden) defects laws extend the limitation period by setting it running only from the time of possible discovery.

A lawyer might cost you more than a new awning, but it may be worth getting some advice or doing some research.

 

[Doorbundle]

This may help.

Consumer Rights Act 2015 - Which?

The Consumer Rights Act protects you in almost all purchases you make. Here we explain what it means when buying goods or services

www.which.co.uk

 

[GSX1300R]

The same thing happened to us last year in Spain it started at the side under the drivers door and worked its way in about 200mm. Its a very common fault with the ones with a seam. I actually did repair it and quite successfully and at the same time I was negotiating with VW about replacing it. It was out of warranty by about 6 months.. After refusing point blank to do anything my persistence worked. They agreed to replace the whole thing for a new one (without a seam) for £250. The dealer and VW paid the rest.. Ok it wasnt free but at least I have a brand new awning complete and fitted(without the seam) for £250...
I did actually put pictures up of the repair, I used "Stormsure" adhesive It worked perfectly but that didnt mean it wouldnt come undone somewhere else on the seam that you couldnt repair easily......Persistence sometimes pays off!!!!!!

 

[GSX1300R]

Mine’s just gone in just the same way at the end of a hot and sunny day in Provence when I also feel I’m coming apart at the seams. Don’t suppose the dealers will want to replace it on warranty in its sixth year of use. Has anyone managed a long lasting repair or should I just bite the bullet and order a new awning?

Try Stormsure Adhesive, it worked perfectly for us....

 

[Loz]

Or remove the vinyl canvas and have it seam welded.

 

[GSX1300R]

Or remove the vinyl canvas and have it seam welded.

In theory it sounds good but in practice it would be a nightmare...

 

[Loz]

In theory it sounds good but in practice it would be a nightmare...

Sure, how about double-sided tape and then sewn with an industrial sewing machine?
Marquee makers like Attwools take private jobs?

 

[GSX1300R]

Sure, how about double-sided tape and then sewn with an industrial sewing machine?
Marquee makers like Attwools take private jobs?

I went through all that but eventually got a new one from VW. £250... But I would say that the repair I did seemed very successful..... It would always be on your mind when the next time is was going to go in a different place.. It would certainly ruin a holiday ... The new one without a seam is a great improvement..

 

[CYCLOPATH]

The same thing happened to us last year in Spain it started at the side under the drivers door and worked its way in about 200mm. Its a very common fault with the ones with a seam. I actually did repair it and quite successfully and at the same time I was negotiating with VW about replacing it. It was out of warranty by about 6 months.. After refusing point blank to do anything my persistence worked. They agreed to replace the whole thing for a new one (without a seam) for £250. The dealer and VW paid the rest.. Ok it wasnt free but at least I have a brand new awning complete and fitted(without the seam) for £250...
I did actually put pictures up of the repair, I used "Stormsure" adhesive It worked perfectly but that didnt mean it wouldnt come undone somewhere else on the seam that you couldnt repair easily......Persistence sometimes pays off!!!!!!

Hi peter, can you put a link to your pics of your repair, i have trawled back and can’t find them,,,,,I want to give it a go.

 

[GSX1300R]

Hi peter, can you put a link to your pics of your repair, i have trawled back and can’t find them,,,,,I want to give it a go.

If you do a search under Awning Seam it was posted on the 20th Oct 2018. You should see it there...Good luck and let me know if you find it...

 

[Loz]

Awning seam

When my 3 yr warranty expired I thought about extending it but it was so expensive it was worth taking the risk. Did you say you repaired you awning yourself?. Anything is worth a go. I’ve got vinyl glue but who knows until you try it. I know superglue would work but it goes hard and not...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[GSX1300R]

As you can see from the pictures the one with the clamps has a 8 foot length of 9 inch wide planed board which spans the awning arms. This method worked perfectly for me and if it wasnt for VW and the dealer making the offer they did I would have kept it like that... For £5 and some timber its got to be worth a try....

 

[CYCLOPATH]

Thanks peter!, glue ordered
What solvent did you use to redo over the old glue, as mine went sticky in the heat, and actually stuck back a little when it cooled. I’m sure it needs cleaning off

 

[GSX1300R]

Thanks peter!, glue ordered
What solvent did you use to redo over the old glue, as mine went sticky in the heat, and actually stuck back a little when it cooled. I’m sure it needs cleaning off

As far as I can remember the glue that was on it just peeled off but I would try something like lighter fuel to start on a tiny area.. If that doesn’t work maybe some other solvent like Acetone...Just small areas...The last thing you want to do is melt the plastic....Good luck..

 

[GSX1300R]

As far as I can remember the glue that was on it just peeled off but I would try something like lighter fuel to start on a tiny area.. If that doesn’t work maybe some other solvent like Acetone...Just small areas...The last thing you want to do is melt the plastic....Good luck..

And yes the glue does restick back together but it won’t stay stuck ...but if you use a hair dryer on full heat it will come apart quite easily....

 

[CYCLOPATH]

Just to update, I awning with Stormsure....seems perfect now
I did the 5 mm overlap on the top side, so you can see the bead of glue there, but from underneath it looks 100% ok
I took the fabric off to do it, as the glue sets slowly and I did t want any tension on it

 

[CYCLOPATH]