Wind out awning fabric - we replaced it with stripes!

[galtim]

Hi folks
The fabric split on our rollout awning, camper is 2016.
Looked at posts regarding fabric repair, replacement and how to do it.
We decided that if we are going to replace the fabric why not have something different.
We went to see a local awning manufacturer, took the camper and showed him the torn fabric.
We knew the fabric needed to be thin enough to roll around the roller.
He luckily had two fabrics in stock and we liked one of them.
Two days later the fabric was made into an awning.
We then replaced the fabric without removing the awning from the van.
Thanks to a tall son!
This was however a three person job.
It took just over an hour with no special tools.
Well we like it!

 

[gvick]

Very nice - reminds me of the splitties awnings from 70’s

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Very nice - reminds me of the splitties awnings from 70’s

Looks brilliant, if I had known I would have done it myself. How much did the material cost?

 

[galtim]

Looks brilliant, if I had known I would have done it myself. How much did the material cost?

This fabric, made to measure including threading rods was £200.
This fabric because of the width has two sewn seams.
The company pattern matched the seams so they are camouflaged.
Very happy and just need some rain to weather it.
Am thinking about a matching windbreak!

 

[Bluebird]

This fabric, made to measure including threading rods was £200.
This fabric because of the width has two sewn seams.
The company pattern matched the seams so they are camouflaged.
Very happy and just need some rain to weather it.
Am thinking about a matching windbreak!

What was the name of the awning manufacturer ?
I,ve just repaired ours with stormsure but if it fails again I may go down your route.

 

[galtim]

What was the name of the awning manufacturer ?
I,ve just repaired ours with stormsure but if it fails again I may go down your route.

Lamda blinds Watford
info@lamdablinds.co.uk
Ahmed Shirazi 07908626746
He will remember us!
He also has our fabric size as a template , we are taking camper to show him the finished awning next week.
Fantastic service and product.
Happy camping

 

[Bluebird]

Lamda blinds Watford
info@lamdablinds.co.uk
Ahmed Shirazi 07908626746
He will remember us!
He also has our fabric size as a template , we are taking camper to show him the finished awning next week.
Fantastic service and product.
Happy camping

Thanks

 

[Ian Brown]

This fabric, made to measure including threading rods was £200.
This fabric because of the width has two sewn seams.
The company pattern matched the seams so they are camouflaged.
Very happy and just need some rain to weather it.
Am thinking about a matching windbreak!

Please can you tell me what the fabric he used was? Is it strong plastic like the original? Just thinking of the stretching that happens with rain etc. Thanks

 

[hirsty]

this is fantastic! - thanks for sharing

 

[galtim]

Please can you tell me what the fabric he used was? Is it strong plastic like the original? Just thinking of the stretching that happens with rain etc. Thanks

Hi
The fabric is a Swela fabric
32801 sunsilk polyester
250g/m2
As mentioned before the fabric must be thin enough to go around the roller
It is an awning fabric, so there will no distortion at all.
Oddly we are currently camping in torrential rain and took the opportunity to weather the fabric.
No leaks at all through the stitching and no wicking either.
Of course because it isn’t plastic we now have some light coming through
Very happy.

 

[Ian Brown]

Sounds perfect! Thank you

 

[Baldrick]

Hi,
So, I’m spending a while looking up options for replacement awning, ours having split along the weld along with so many others.
Just wondered what you think of your replacement(s) a while down the line?
Thanks

 

[galtim]

Hi,
So, I’m spending a while looking up options for replacement awning, ours having split along the weld along with so many others.
Just wondered what you think of your replacement(s) a while down the line?
Thanks

Baldrick
Hi, this is a timely post as we have been using it in all weathers recently.
No leaks or stains.
We comment each time it is used as to how clean and fresh it looks.
We make sure it has no debris on it before we wind it back in, as the fabric lets the light through and you would see marks.
It looks particularly smart with the grey comfort room.
Very happy with it

 

[acer]

Baldrick
Hi, this is a timely post as we have been using it in all weathers recently.
No leaks or stains.
We comment each time it is used as to how clean and fresh it looks.
We make sure it has no debris on it before we wind it back in, as the fabric lets the light through and you would see marks.
It looks particularly smart with the grey comfort room.
Very happy with it

View attachment 94458

My awning has split along the seam also and I'm looking at alternatives. How did you find fitting the new fabric to the awning? I'm not mega technical.

 

[galtim]

My awning has split along the seam also and I'm looking at alternatives. How did you find fitting the new fabric to the awning? I'm not mega technical.

Hi Acer
We replaced the fabric without removing the awning from camper.
This really was a three person job as the fabric had to be rolled around the barrel and put on to the bottom bar simultaneously!
Other people have posted detailed instructions to fit the fabric, but these are awnings that have been taken off vans.
The fabric we chose is as easy to fit as the current Thule one piece.
As a point of interest , this photo is the
‘chaotic’ set up we had a couple of weeks ago when we had an extra 4 bodies camping with us for 3 days!
The awning fabric gave us extra light and almost ‘zoned’ the areas.
I hope this helps

 

[acer]

Thanks Galtim,
Sounds tricky. I'm currently minded to get the Thule one piece replacement. Getting some light through the awning is appealing for a lot of camping, but sometimes full shade is definitely required. If it also comes with instructions that might be another tick in the box for Thule. You mention fabric fitting instructions on the forum somewhere, but I can't seem to find them. Can you remember which thread?

 

[warny15]

I contacted Lamba Blinds last week to get a quote for a replacement awning fabric as done by Galtim and they quoted me £350+vat !, When I queried the high price they cited increased costs from Europe ! ....

 

[Carps]

Thanks Galtim,
Sounds tricky. I'm currently minded to get the Thule one piece replacement. Getting some light through the awning is appealing for a lot of camping, but sometimes full shade is definitely required. If it also comes with instructions that might be another tick in the box for Thule. You mention fabric fitting instructions on the forum somewhere, but I can't seem to find them. Can you remember which thread?

Hi
mine has just gone - just along the welded seam Sounds very familiar
Did you manage to find any instructions ?
I am wondering if I can remove it, get it repaired, and then turn it around so the tear is on the barrel end rather than the front edge. That way I can just be mindful and not wind the awning the whole way out to help protect the repair
Would really love to see some instructions rather than just going for it

Cheers,
ANdy

 

[acer]

Hi
mine has just gone - just along the welded seam Sounds very familiar
Did you manage to find any instructions ?
I am wondering if I can remove it, get it repaired, and then turn it around so the tear is on the barrel end rather than the front edge. That way I can just be mindful and not wind the awning the whole way out to help protect the repair
Would really love to see some instructions rather than just going for it

Cheers,
ANdy

Unfortunately not. I tried the good people at the shop but they couldn't provide instructions. They suggested that there was something on YouTube, but I couldn't find anything. I managed to repair mine 2 or 3 years ago with superglue and some duct tape, but that was when the tear was just a foot long. I'm now driving around with an unusable awning with the cassette permanently taped and cable-tied shut. It's on the 'to do' list for this year.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Hi
mine has just gone - just along the welded seam Sounds very familiar
Did you manage to find any instructions ?
I am wondering if I can remove it, get it repaired, and then turn it around so the tear is on the barrel end rather than the front edge. That way I can just be mindful and not wind the awning the whole way out to help protect the repair
Would really love to see some instructions rather than just going for it

Cheers,
ANdy

It’s worth thinking about repairing with Stormsure adhesive. Probably £10-£15 worth should do it..Obviously you need a flat piece of plained timber slightly longer than the width of the awning. That’s probably another £10-£15.
All of the old adhesive has to be taken off beforehand.
Lots of care and patience but there is no reason it can’t be done.
Under no circumstances use superglue. It can’t be taken apart if you don’t get it right the first time. Good luck.
VW know they got it wrong or they wouldn’t be supplying them in one piece now.

 

[rpevans99]

I got my canvas repaired last year. I took it off and re-installed the canvas myself. At a couple of points it is useful to have a pair of helping hands but it was no too difficult.

I found this youtube video (in German but you can use Google translate) to show how to remove the canvas:

I then used a company near Chesterfield to repair the seam. I originally expected the seam to be stitched but they have a high-tech plastic welding machine which they used to weld the seam back together - it is expected to be better than glue. Stitches would allow water to get through. £100 + VAT. This was only done last autumn so not used in anger yet but I am impressed with the repair so far. You can find them here: https://www.specialisedcanvas.co.uk/

Happy to provide more info. I really need to load up some photos when I find time.

 

[acer]

I got my canvas repaired last year. I took it off and re-installed the canvas myself. At a couple of points it is useful to have a pair of helping hands but it was no too difficult.

I found this youtube video (in German but you can use Google translate) to show how to remove the canvas:

I then used a company near Chesterfield to repair the seam. I originally expected the seam to be stitched but they have a high-tech plastic welding machine which they used to weld the seam back together - it is expected to be better than glue. Stitches would allow water to get through. £100 + VAT. This was only done last autumn so not used in anger yet but I am impressed with the repair so far. You can find them here: https://www.specialisedcanvas.co.uk/

Happy to provide more info. I really need to load up some photos when I find time.

This video is a good find. I'm still lacking confidence though

 

[warny15]

Just replaced my Thule Omnistor Awning fabric replaced for £109 today in approx 1 hour!
Fabric was £59.82 from Attwools online. It's a 680gsm PVC coated Polyester mesh fabric, ideal fr this application and it's available in loads of colour options.
The Keder strip was £9, you need 2x sizes, 5mm for the van/winder side and I used 8mm for the wind out edge.
Feel free to message me if you want more info.

 

[Carps]

Just replaced my Thule Omnistor Awning fabric replaced for £109 today in approx 1 hour!
Fabric was £59.82 from Attwools online. It's a 680gsm PVC coated Polyester mesh fabric, ideal fr this application and it's available in loads of colour options.
The Keder strip was £9, you need 2x sizes, 5mm for the van/winder side and I used 8mm for the wind out edge.
Feel free to message me if you want more info.

Hi
would be interested in more info on how to do this. Mine tore recently, and would like to sort it
I can't see how to message you direct !
Cheers
Andy

 

[warny15]

Hi
would be interested in more info on how to do this. Mine tore recently, and would like to sort it
I can't see how to message you direct !
Cheers
Andy

Hi Carps, I posed some instructions and photos in link below. Couldn't believe how easy it was. Most difficult bit was sourcing a local sewing machinist !.
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/awning-fabric-replacement.42496/post-627838