27 replies to this topic

[GaryB]

....by using a smaller size full awning, "snipping" the awning bead and using it in conjunction with an additional pole?  I did this years ago, but never actually used the awning and sold it.  Seeing as they aren't really designed this way are there any problems such as leaks, the snipped part tearing etc?

My quest for a lightweight useable awning might well be solved by buying a smaller (750-ish) sized full awning with lightweight poles and doing this, but I don't want to go down this route if it won't last.

Thanks

[RogerL]

Isabella used to sell a conversion kit to do exactly that - the kit was just the extra pole/pad to keep the awning against the caravan.

[Ocsid]

Isabella support, or certainly did support the concept of doing this. I had the Combi that used exactly this concept of being nipped so it dropped from the rail, and that lasted many years before the stress on the awning bead began to show, but then a local sail maker just added some extra strengthening tape. I believe its now back in service for another member.
It takes a long while to fail, and then its progressive giving time to sort things before real damage occurs. If doing the 'snip' today I would not cut the bead as was in the instructions but sever the internal plastic cord by gripping tightly with round nose pliers and flexing the life out of the plastic bit without breaking/cutting the woven tape that surrounds it. The drop poles and pads Isabella sell to facilitate this modification make a pretty good job of sealing against the van exactly as with their part awning such as the Magnum.
You need to make the nip so the fall is the right length for the height of the rail, so you can do some sums for various awning lengths to find what is needed to not foul with a window or door opening.
A very good option if picking up an Ebay bargain or finding yourself with an undersized awning when up grading your van. I don't think I would try it with much lesser makes of awning, it needs to start life with some strength.

[Bill Lord]

I had a combi 680 awning that fitted that way, I bought it second hand in 1994 and used it untill 2004 with no problems at all. At the moment I am on the lookout for a 750 Isabella to use as a porch.

[bi6als]

Ive got an Isabella Combi in the shed, but no poles

[klyne]

NR also do a kit if you want to convert a full into a combi. We have an NR awning which is too small as a full awning for our current van. We took the awning with us to Broadway to see if we could work out how to convert it. The trouble I found was that in order to get the side to reach the ground I would have been several feet along the roof before it was long enough to reach the groun so I did not bother in the end.

David

[Delta Lady]

Gary Hi...  Yes we converted a 13ft N.R. full Awning to fit our Delta a few years ago..it went from the back to approx three quarters of the Van...With this Lexon..we fitted it to the front and it goes just before th back window..My George snipped the top beading to fit int the rail ..I think he put a bit of strong glue on as well to stop it running any further..But this methos has worked for us now with this Awning for the last few years..We found it too expensive to buy a full Awning..and didn't need to space..this works just fine for us....If you want any further advice give me p.m.  

Chris  x

[GaryB]

Delta Lady, on 19 April 2012 - 02:44 PM, said:

Gary Hi...  Yes we converted a 13ft N.R. full Awning to fit our Delta a few years ago..it went from the back to approx three quarters of the Van...With this Lexon..we fitted it to the front and it goes just before th back window..My George snipped the top beading to fit int the rail ..I think he put a bit of strong glue on as well to stop it running any further..But this methos has worked for us now with this Awning for the last few years..We found it too expensive to buy a full Awning..and didn't need to space..this works just fine for us....If you want any further advice give me p.m.  

Chris  x

Thanks, I actually found a thread you posted on on here a few years ago when I did a Google search!

I'm going to measure up at the weekend and see what size range awning would be best to use, I don't want to snip the beading and find the awning ends up coming down half way across one of the windows.

[Delta Lady]

Gary..yep make sure its goin to fit....Luckily ours fit our new Lexon..just finishing before the back bedroom window...Every Van is different...  My George says we have had no problems with ours..and no leaks...but if you need any advice before cutting at all  p.m. me and you can speak to us anytime...Chris x

[Delta Lady]

Gary  just sent you a p.m.   I think your Van is probably the same layout outside as our Lexon...??

[GaryB]

Done it!  Collected the awning last night (an 875 Pyramid Sorento, bought new last year & used once for £90!!!) and decided to sort it today.  We collect our new caravan in two weeks time, but (according to Swift) the door/windows are in the same place, so fitting the awning to the old 'van should also reflect the fitting on the new one (fingers crossed.....).

I snipped the bead by making a small hole in the material it is bound with and cut a 3mm section of bead out through the incision, it was like doing keyhole surgery, but I wanted to make sure that I didn't cut too much of the material away to cause it to fray.  The result fits really well and gives us a decent sized awning without having to have all of the extra poles necessary with our full size awning.

I won't be happy though, I never am when it comes to awnings, watch this space for a fresh awning-related moan next year!

Thanks to all those that offered advice, it is appreciated.

[bi6als]

Is it long enough?

It looks short of the floor

[Kiaman]

bi6als, on 24 April 2012 - 08:51 PM, said:

Is it long enough?

It looks short of the floor

Got to agree with you there, I would want the top of the mud skirt touching (or nearly touching) the floor - not the bottom of it.

[GaryB]

It could do with being a bit longer when fitted like that, but when fitted from the front first (rather than the back) it fits fine, I didn't take any pictures of it that way round though.

[Delta Lady]

The Awning looks like a Bargain Gary....I am sure it will be just fine....As for fitting properly..it always depends on how the Caravan fits and if its on level ground..but looks like you have done a cracking job ..Chris x