Thule Rain Blocker Sides - Install?

[Shane Bennett]

Has anyone actually installed the Thule Rain Blockder sides on a T6 factory awning? The parts that come with sides appear to already be installed on the bar attached to the van.

The Thule videos do not match the awning setup and the instructions are rubbish. They seem to be nice panels and I hate to return them but there does seem to be a disconnect between the instructions and the VW awning.

 

[Bellcrew]

I have a T5 and I know what you mean with regards to the instructions .
It comes with several different parts and some I used but others we're for other set-up as it's a universal fitting kit.

Here is some pics showing how I fitted mine. I used the kit and some parts as you say are already present to have the option of using right or left side.

Did have to drill a hole on each side.

View attachment 38436

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I also fitted the kit as Alform did, works well in most conditions, I use a Fiamma curved rafter to help the water drain from the awning better. Ensure the rear blocker is positioned on its track just clear of the sliding door when it opens.

 

[Shane Bennett]

I have a T5 and I know what you mean with regards to the instructions .
It comes with several different parts and some I used but others we're for other set-up as it's a universal fitting kit.

Here is some pics showing how I fitted mine. I used the kit and some parts as you say are already present to have the option of using right or left side.

Did have to drill a hole on each side.

Thank you! That is very helpful. Could you post a picture of how the arms mount into the brackets that are attched to the van side. In my awning I already have that large metal block installed, I'm just not sure how the arm attaches to that bit. It seems like the plastic brackets increase the length too much to install it. My assumption was the circular end of the spring side of the arm would just go over that bolt, or is there another mount on the arm?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Shane Bennett]

I also fitted the kit as Alform did, works well in most conditions, I use a Fiamma curved rafter to help the water drain from the awning better. Ensure the rear blocker is positioned on its track just clear of the sliding door when it opens.

Great advice thank you I'll make sure to check that.

 

[VWDrooper]

From Thule website

https://cdn1.static-tgdp.com/assetloader.axd?pimid=306515&id=520097&brand=Thule&market=GB&att=1

 

[Alform]

Ed

 

[Shane Bennett]

So it does just rest on that bolt. Ok it seems like it should do more, I guess I'm over thinking it.

Thanks a ton for the images I think I have it now. Virtual beer incoming.........

 

[Chordist]

Ed

Hi any chance of reloading your pics please, as I cant get them to open from someone else’s reply. Have some idea of how the g2 panel carrier rail should fit, but would be good to see if I have got it right. Seems odd they supply so many different types of fittings. Thanks in advance.

 

[Alform]

Hi any chance of reloading your pics please, as I cant get them to open from someone else’s reply. Have some idea of how the g2 panel carrier rail should fit, but would be good to see if I have got it right. Seems odd they supply so many different types of fittings. Thanks in advance.

Sorry I no longer have the pictures .....or the van sorry . From what I remember it was inserting an aluminium block in the rail

 

[Chordist]

Sorry I no longer have the pictures .....or the van sorry . From what I remember it was inserting an aluminium block in the rail

Thanks anyway. I guessed I had to use the Aluminium block, but can’t get my head round the plastic end of the rail just going over the bolt head, seems rather crude, considering how well engineered the rest of it seems to be. Guess I’ll have to fabricate a better solution.

 

[sapto]

Does this help in anyway? Sold mine however as far as I remember you just squeez/push the metal rail.

Or here:

 

[Chordist]

Does this help in anyway? Sold mine however as far as I remember you just squeez/push the metal rail.

Or here:

Thanks Sapto, fortunately I think I have solved the problem, we just need to take a trip & try it out.

 

[alwynmckee]

Thanks anyway. I guessed I had to use the Aluminium block, but can’t get my head round the plastic end of the rail just going over the bolt head, seems rather crude, considering how well engineered the rest of it seems to be. Guess I’ll have to fabricate a better solution.

Hi!
Just taken delivery of my 6.1 with factory-fit awning (5102) and looking to fit the Thule rain blocker side panels. Like your response, I'm bemused at the apparent inelegant solution of the plastic end of the rail going over the bolt head! Especially compared to the green plastic fittings for other types of awning.
Can I ask, did you find another solution or does it work OK with using the bolt head?
Thanks, Alwyn

 

[Bellcrew]

Hi!
Just taken delivery of my 6.1 with factory-fit awning (5102) and looking to fit the Thule rain blocker side panels. Like your response, I'm bemused at the apparent inelegant solution of the plastic end of the rail going over the bolt head! Especially compared to the green plastic fittings for other types of awning.
Can I ask, did you find another solution or does it work OK with using the bolt head?
Thanks, Alwyn

Ours have been very successful, we have the full set which makes a decent room for outside cooking etc.

 

[alwynmckee]

Ours have been very successful, we have the full set which makes a decent room for outside cooking etc.

Good to hear you find the panels work well for you.
I've bought 2 side panels, 1 front and a front sun blocker. Looking forward to the flexibility and relative ease of putting in place ... once I've sussed out the connection of the side-panel support struts to the van side of the awning!!

 

[Chordist]

Hi!
Just taken delivery of my 6.1 with factory-fit awning (5102) and looking to fit the Thule rain blocker side panels. Like your response, I'm bemused at the apparent inelegant solution of the plastic end of the rail going over the bolt head! Especially compared to the green plastic fittings for other types of awning.
Can I ask, did you find another solution or does it work OK with using the bolt head?
Thanks, Alwyn

Hi Alwyn,
My solution is fairly simple, & upto now, works very well. In a nut shell, trim down a 10mm quarter inch drive socket at the ratchet insert end so it fits reasonably flush with end of plastic recess on pole end. Abrade side of socket for increased adhesion, insert into centre of pole end, fill gap around socket & pole end with either jet melt or araldite, (I used jet melt for its flexibility).Finally I drilled through each side & inserted two small pk screws, these were added as my belt & braces, to prevent socket pulling out. The positionimg of the sockets rotation before bonding does not matter,as the plastic pole end rotates for alignment purposes. Pics included. Whole project took half hour once components sourced.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[alwynmckee]

Hi Alwyn,
My solution is fairly simple, & upto now, works very well. In a nut shell, trim down a 10mm quarter inch drive socket at the ratchet insert end so it fits reasonably flush with end of plastic recess on pole end. Abrade side of socket for increased adhesion, insert into centre of pole end, fill gap around socket & pole end with either jet melt or araldite, (I used jet melt for its flexibility).Finally I drilled through each side & inserted two small pk screws, these were added as my belt & braces, to prevent socket pulling out. The positionimg of the sockets rotation before bonding does not matter,as the plastic pole end rotates for alignment purposes. Pics included. Whole project took half hour once components sourced.
Hope this is of some help.

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That's great, thank you.
So you're using the bolt heads as anchor points but have created a better fit around the bolts?

 

[Chordist]

That's great, thank you.
So you're using the bolt heads as anchor points but have created a better fit around the bolts?

Exactly, & as I said it works very well so far, prevents any chatter in windy conditions.

 

[alwynmckee]

That's really useful, thanks .

I was thinking of using trusty cable ties to secure each time!
Crazy really, given the otherwise high quality of all the other parts provided by Thule!!

 

[Andrew Beale]

Like everyone else here, I was completely bemused by the idea of using the bolt heads to rest the plastic end of the poles on, but in fact, once connected and the awning wound in a touch so that it is completely taut, the system seems to work fine and has coped well with some windy days on site.

Given that VW Californias are the biggest selling campervans, you would have thought that Thule would have sorted this out by now, but the instructions and the kit are rubbish.

Once up however, the rainblocker sides give lots of protection.