Awning Split

[GSX1300R]

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

Great news. I hope it lasts for you. No reason to think it wont as the stormsure adhesive is probably better than the original and its flexible too.

 

[bigmac77]

My awning split whilst we were away this summer, I have bought replacement fabric. Has anyone replaced theirs? If so any tips for getting the job done?

 

[GSX1300R]

My awning split whilst we were away this summer, I have bought replacement fabric. Has anyone replaced theirs? If so any tips for getting the job done?

If it’s a direct replacement I imagine it’s just the reverse of taking it apart.. How old is your van and where did you get the replacement from.?

 

[GSX1300R]

Anyone looking for a suitable adhesive for your Awning, Try Stormsure. I used it when ours went and it worked brilliantly. Although in the end VW relented and we got a complete new awning for £250. ours was three and a half years old when it went...The new awnings DONT have a join any longer...VW trying to save money and cost them big time...

 

[Troglodyte]

Mine has just gone with a 6 inch long opening in the seam. Four year old California. Why does it even have a seam? Seems crazy as this will always be a weak link. Does anyone know of a replacement without seam? If not, what is the cost of replacement?

 

[GSX1300R]

Mine has just gone with a 6 inch long opening in the seam. Four year old California. Why does it even have a seam? Seems crazy as this will always be a weak link. Does anyone know of a replacement without seam? If not, what is the cost of replacement?

Please read my previous post back from last year...

 

[Troglodyte]

Anyone looking for a suitable adhesive for your Awning, Try Stormsure. I used it when ours went and it worked brilliantly. Although in the end VW relented and we got a complete new awning for £250. ours was three and a half years old when it went...The new awnings DONT have a join any longer...VW trying to save money and cost them big time...

Thanks for reference back to this.

 

[WelshGas]

Anyone looking for a suitable adhesive for your Awning, Try Stormsure. I used it when ours went and it worked brilliantly. Although in the end VW relented and we got a complete new awning for £250. ours was three and a half years old when it went...The new awnings DONT have a join any longer...VW trying to save money and cost them big time...

Thanks for reference back to this.

Anyone would think VW make the awnings. They are made by Thule/Omnistor. So when there is a Warranty replacement then Thule/Omnistor bear the whole cost, not VW.
obviously they had problems because Thule/Omnistor have changed the design.
You can buy the replacement material as a spare.
See Forum shop.

VW California Wind Out Awning Parts – CampervanBits

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[GSX1300R]

The awning produced for the California was made to a price suitable to VW..All other awnings were made with ONE piece material only the one fitted to the California was made in 2 pieces to save money but in the end cost them money...

 

[WelshGas]

The awning produced for the California was made to a price suitable to VW..All other awnings were made with ONE piece material only the one fitted to the California was made in 2 pieces to save money but in the end cost them money...

Im not causing an argument but VW don’t design awnings, Thule/Omnistor do and in fact having a seam is an extra production step and hence an extra cost. That decision was made by Thule/Omnistor.
Some of their other awnings still have heat sealed seams.

 

[GSX1300R]

VW asked the manufacturer to make the awning to a price, which is what they did..the material they had in stock was not wide enough so instead of getting the correct width they thought it would be a good idea to glue an extra strip onto the existing material..Thule use the word (weld) for fixing the 2 pieces together but to Weld them the material would need to be fused together which they weren’t, they used a glue which melted in the sun...That’s really handy for a sun awning..I was in contact with Thule regarding this 2 years ago and had to fight my case with both VW and Thule because it was just outside the 3 year warranty. Eventually VW after months of arguing back and for said if I pay a contribution they would replace it with a new awning (With no join in the material)...

 

[DM]

Anyone would think VW make the awnings. They are made by Thule/Omnistor. So when there is a Warranty replacement then Thule/Omnistor bear the whole cost, not VW.
obviously they had problems because Thule/Omnistor have changed the design.
You can buy the replacement material as a spare.
See Forum shop.

VW California Wind Out Awning Parts – CampervanBits

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Does anyone know whether the replacement fabric has a seam or is one piece. Mine has just gone - 6 weeks after my 5 year warranty expired! How easy is it to replace The fabric - are clear instructions provided?

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Does anyone know whether the replacement fabric has a seam or is one piece. Mine has just gone - 6 weeks after my 5 year warranty expired! How easy is it to replace The fabric - are clear instructions provided?

As far as I know they phased out the 2 piece fabric awning as they were getting sooooo many problems with it coming apart. How bad is the split because if it’s not too bad it is repairable.

 

[DM]

How bad is the split

About 60cm has split. Fortunately it happened at home when I was airing it so I was able to affect a reasonable temporary repair using T-Rex tape. No great confidence that it’ll last any length of time though.

 

[WelshGas]

About 60cm has split. Fortunately it happened at home when I was airing it so I was able to affect a reasonable temporary repair using T-Rex tape. No great confidence that it’ll last any length of time though.

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I gather you can buy the replacement material, in one piece. I believe the Forum shop or Rose Awnings supply.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

About 60cm has split. Fortunately it happened at home when I was airing it so I was able to affect a reasonable temporary repair using T-Rex tape. No great confidence that it’ll last any length of time though.

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Same thing happened to us 3 years ago when we were in Spain. Probably 6-8inches to start with. I stuck it with gorilla tape but even that was only a temporary measure. When I got back home I tried a few things....( but NOT superglue). Eventually tried a product called Stormsure. That worked great as it’s a very strong flexible adhesive.
We were about 6 months out of warranty and VW were insistent they wouldn’t do anything for us but we persisted and eventually they agreed to pay a third with the dealer and us paying a third each. Costing us £250. The reason we didn’t just keep the old awning and glueing it was we just couldn’t risk it coming apart somewhere else.
The new awnings are single piece material.
Have you tried VW to see regarding good will even though you are out of warranty it’s only just. Worth a try.

 

[DM]

Same thing happened to us 3 years ago when we were in Spain. Probably 6-8inches to start with. I stuck it with gorilla tape but even that was only a temporary measure. When I got back home I tried a few things....( but NOT superglue). Eventually tried a product called Stormsure. That worked great as it’s a very strong flexible adhesive.
We were about 6 months out of warranty and VW were insistent they wouldn’t do anything for us but we persisted and eventually they agreed to pay a third with the dealer and us paying a third each. Costing us £250. The reason we didn’t just keep the old awning and glueing it was we just couldn’t risk it coming apart somewhere else.
The new awnings are single piece material.
Have you tried VW to see regarding good will even though you are out of warranty it’s only just. Worth a try.

My relationship with VW and the dealer has not been great due to issues ver the registration of my extended warranty - long story. But it’s worth an email or two I guess.

 

[DanJ]

Update on our repair - stuck it back together with the Stormsure glue 2 years ago - really impressed with the stuff, it is still going strong.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Update on our repair - stuck it back together with the Stormsure glue 2 years ago - really impressed with the stuff, it is still going strong.

If we hadn’t had the option of a new awning at a goodwill price I wouldn’t have had a problem with using stormsure adhesive..It’s certainly better than the VW original.

 

[Canyon]

Same thing happened to me three weeks ago no problem for three years then hit 35deg and it fell apart,
Such a known fault it should of been recalled I never got chance to try repair kit, it just opened up completely,
Tied it up by pulling both the arms in to transport home,

This has just happened to us in south France, totally separated, have just managed to feed it in after much hassle but the question is, is there a danger that the awning legs could pop out at some point as most of awning not attached to anything, it is just rolled up (vehicle stationary and held in place, seems solid) just don’t want awning to pop out and guillotine some passing vehicle on way back like some Death race weapon.

amy thoughts?

 

[vbk1975]

This has just happened to us in south France, totally separated, have just managed to feed it in after much hassle but the question is, is there a danger that the awning legs could pop out at some point as most of awning not attached to anything, it is just rolled up (vehicle stationary and held in place, seems solid) just don’t want awning to pop out and guillotine some passing vehicle on way back like some Death race weapon.

amy thoughts?

Can you use the straps from the emergency roof kit to wrap around each end of the awning cassette and prevent it coming out?

Edit: I have just tried and they will fit around. Cable ties or tape might be more robust.

 

[Canyon]

Can you use the straps from the emergency roof kit to wrap around each end of the awning cassette and prevent it coming out?

Edit: I have just tried and they will fit around. Cable ties or tape might be more robust.

Good shout. Unfortunately I have a bad feeling we may not have this kit, which upon googling I realise is essential.

 

[vbk1975]

Good shout. Unfortunately I have a bad feeling we may not have this kit, which upon googling I realise is essential.

String, shoe laces, guy lines, sticky tape, carrier bags twisted to a rope

Edit: Also the straps that hold the jack etc foam block together are basically the same velcro type strap as the roof ones

 

[westfalia]

I think even without the awning material the thing will still
wind out and in.
There are wires running through the bendy arms connected to
the gearing where the crank handle fits in.

Cable ties or straps or strong tape you should be able to
pick up anywhere if you don't already have them.
To be on the safe side.

 

[Bluebird]

Ours split completely along the length of the seam in the mini heatwave two weeks ago. I took the material off and glued it back together with Stormsure. I’m not sure if the repair will last but I’m hopeful as it stuck better than I expected. Cost was £7.10 for a 15g tube on Amazon, a lot less than a new canopy.
One other thing, the awning arms are springloaded and when you take the material away they pop out very quickly. Had to use bungees and cable ties to hold the arms in while the glue was setting.