Awning Track

[Guest Jan]

Does anyone know the best way to bend the ali track so that it doesn't kink?

thanks Yan

[Grizzly]

Thread some coax or (similar) that's just a tight fit into the rail.

You should then be able to bend it without kinking.

Once bent, simply slide out the coax.

[enforcer]

The aluminium is very soft and I found to my surprise that you can bend the radius on each end quite easily without the channel 'crimping' up. I cut out a template of 6mm MDF to bend around, but because the aluminium springs back slightly I re-cut the template with a sharper radius and bent it to that shape to allow it to spring back to match the curve of the windscreen.

 

A good tip is to leave at least a foot or so at either end otherwise you won't have enough leverage to make the bend, and take it slow.

 

The awning rail I bought had a slightly concave rather than flat bottom which matched the profile of the windscreen rail very well. As such it only needed a thin bead of poly sealant to fix it down permanently.

[Guest craig030774]

saw mark evans doing this on a land rover

 

so had a go myself works a treat

 

coat ali with soap (washing up liquid ) heat with a blow gun until soap goes black with a gloved hand bend to shape job done

 

i fixed awning rail to windscreen and did the above and looks great oh and the black does rub off

 

craig

[Guest Jan]

Im Much obliged to you all, Any close ups of the track on the screen would be great, I assume you fit to the front of the screen frame and not the top ( Must be to the front edge ) Thanks for the help and wish me luck

[Guest craig030774]

on top i drilled and tapped 4mm some have used sika flex to bond and seal

[enforcer]

I assume you fit to the front of the screen frame and not the top ( Must be to the front edge ) Thanks for the help and wish me luck

 

On the top!

 

[Graham B]

On top.

 

No screws needed. Just a good sealant.

[Guest old_timbo]

That looks really neat. Where are people getting their awning rail from?

 

Tim

[enforcer]

Most caravan accessory shops sell it in straight lengths of about 8 foot. I paid a tenner for mine.

[Guest salty_monk]

On top with sealant & screws if you want to... Mine was bent round a wooden former too.

 

Dan

[Guest timswait]

What have you done to your hood to get that to fit into the awning rail? Does it seal well?

[Guest salty_monk]

It uses a thick nylon cord from memory, mine has it too (think they came from the same guy. Might even be the plastic coated "washing line" stuff.

 

Yes, it's waterproof not like the old Poppers!

 

Dan

[Guest Ian & Carole]

Hi all

 

Co-axe cable, ariel stuff fits the bill

 

HTHs

 

 

Ian J

[niduncan]

3 core mains cable worked for me.