Magnets for awnings
Has anyone tried using magnets to close the gap on porch awnings ? We've got a vango Kalari air awning but it sits right down the middle of the side window towards the front of the caravan and the supplied pole obviously doesn't bend to the shape of the window. We were wondering if using strong magnets above and below the window would work ? Any suggestions welcome.
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Kampa make things called Limpets, sold in packs of 8, to do exactly what you want.
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Thanks for your reply. We have seen these but our awning doesn't have the holes for the limpet's to go through that's why we wondered if magnets alone would work.
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Magnets will only adhere to certain metals and I fear your caravan is not made of the appropriate material, VM71. Check it out by trying a magnet.
Edit: Cross posted with you, Easy.
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you can buy a hole punch from Kampa to make them.
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Thanks everyone. We'll look in to it a bit more.
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Don't bother with the Kampa limpets! They are very flimsy and break easily. They will not hold on the parts of the van where the decals are, or may leave marks on the decals. Kampa say not to screw them too tightly but I've found that whatever you do they either break or just come off. At just under £20 for 8 they are an expensive option.
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had mine for 2 years, brilliant, the secret is not to screw them up too tight, and they rely on suction so they work best on shiny flat surfaces, so no good putting them on decals but you can put them at the top at the bottom, in the middle, not had a problem, but they are not cheap if you include the hole punch.
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We talked to a couple who had made a fly screen from fine mesh for the doors of a van conversion motorhome. They used very powerful magnets to attach to the metal body of the van and it worked very well. No good for GRP of course!
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I have found using central heating foam pipe insulation (the grey stuff that is split along its length and comes 1mtr lengths) placed on the back poles makes an excellent packer to push the awning tighter against the van and forms a very good seal and is very cheap., the 22mm ID fits my back poles perfectly
In my case it is also very close in colour to the interior of the awning so doesn't look out of place either.
Wickes, or any good plumbing/building supplier will have it in stock.
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It will if its cut to length below and above the window
When we changed from our Coachman to our Elddis, our 2.6mtr Bradcot cut across a rear window. Never was a problem.
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It does work, I've done it. That's why I posted the tip
It also works on Air Awnings when set up on uneven ground.
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If you shop around you'll find that they are available in different thicknesses in both 15 & 22 mm so depending on the gap, you can workout what is best suited. The thicker type is intended to give better thermal insulation when used for its intended purpose.
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We are considering buying a Vango Kalari III 390 air awning and we would be grateful for any comments regarding your experiences (both good and bad) with this product.
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If you heat up a spike (ie a rock peg) you can easily create the hole that you need in your awning. There’s an advantage in this method because it melts and seals the edge of the hole, which stops it fraying.
Similarly, patches and shapes can be created in acrylics, by cutting with a soldering iron.
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