On our latest trip we set up our full annexe for the first time, while it was up we received some heavy rain and the awning constantly dripped water on the inside of the front annexe wall where the awning meets the roller. The brother in law was camped beside us in his van with only his privacy screens up and his awning was leaking in exactly the same area. Is it normal for the roll out awnings to leak along the roller as when I looked on top there is a seam sticking up that probably stops the water running off properly ? Our van is a Retreat and his is a Paramount, both roll out awnings are built exactly the same way. Has anyone experienced this problem before and if so how did you fix it ? When I was putting the awning down I dropped one end lower then the other and probably a litre of water run out from inside of the roller.
When reading to operation booklet you may note that the awnings are 'Shade awnings' therefore not designed for water proof use. Would need to replace material of water proof type i would suggest. Cheers Allen
Roll out materials are "normally" super waterproof.
Unless you have a shadecloth one made up/
The UV and constant In\Out can make some a little "brittle",
Specialy if you don't roll up with tension on.
Give a good scrub with acetone??; or similar.
then either brush on some vinyl repair fluid or they do do self adhesive strips\patches to suit.
IF adhesive fluid req'd.
Get a rubber ducky repair kit tube.
That is about the best adhesive known to man.and the bloody dearest
But nothing else comes close (The patches in there wouldn't be long enuff).
The awnings on both vans appear to be a heavy duty vinyl and are less than 12 months old, the only place where there is any water ingress is along the seam at the front edge of the roller. Thanks Allen but to me it would seem a little strange to design an awning that can be turned into a fully enclosed annexe (by attaching the walls) if the roof wasn't designed to keep out the water.
Unlike a new motor vehicle the one thing that you don't seem to get with a new caravan is an owners manual on how things actually work - the only paperwork supplied was for individual components such as the fridge, TV etc. which came from the manufacturer of that product. The other thing that doesn't seem to exist or is very hard to get hold of is a wiring diagram ? Macka I think I will end up looking for some sort of waterproofing agent that I can paint along the seam so I'll have a look at the product that you have suggested.
Hi BB, mine drips, no not me, the awning, along the same edge but from stiching also along the top edge where it joins on the caravan rope track. I slope to one end and that helps the roller bit but need to do something at the top. Probably some stiching water proof gunk. Might be the same problem on the roller bit as well, thinking about it.
Sorry about the technical terms used BB.
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TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I have the same issue, a slight leak along the stitched seam at the roller. New van, so no wear or deterioration yet.
I've been looking for a spray-on sealant/adhesive type stuff to run across the seam but haven't come up with much so far. I've used Sika spray adhesive very successfully for other purposes so might try that when I next have the awning fully out. Sika products are great although I'm not sure if the spray will be thick enough to form a seal. They also make a waterproof sealant/adhesive in a cartridge which would certainly fix the leaking but it's a thick urethane, messy to apply.
Will watch with interest in case someone finds the ideal fix, otherwise I'll report back about the spray adhesive when I've had a go with it.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Thursday 6th of April 2017 05:19:31 PM
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
Check out the setting up instruction on the Aussietraveller web site. As Bill B has stated set up the awning so that the awning does not form a trough above the roller. This will mean the slot will be at 9oclock position. Most awning I have seen are not set this way the slot alway seems to be at the bottom 6oclock position, this is wrong. The awning wall will be fitted at the 6oclock position but then the roller should be set with the slot At 9oclock after.
Alternative to this. And if you want to collect rain water then create the trough and slope one end down so the water can run into a container.
As I say just check out the setting procedure offered by Aussie Traveller who are one of the main suppliers.
I have a Carefree of Colorado awning, on page one of Owners Manual beneath the Introduction it states and I quote WARNING "Awnings are to provide shade and protection from the sun.The effects of rain on an awning are unpredictable and can cause severe damage to the awning and /or vehicle." unquote.
also Quote"Leaking. On vinyl canopies, side hems and poly cords are stitched in with a sewing machine. On occasion, this stitching may allow water to seep or leak through the stitches. This is normal and not a defect covered by warranty. Treat the seams with a quality seam sealer." Unquote.
Thanks everyone for your advice it seems we are not alone with the leaks. As I said Allen we received zero paperwork or owners manuals on anything other than for a few of the electrical appliances so it is all guesswork when it comes to how they are supposed to work.
Go to any camping shop that sells tents\swags.
They should have a little tin you normally spread on with a brush.
and Normally. does a bloody good job.
That's for the stitched seams.
Thanks everyone for your advice it seems we are not alone with the leaks. As I said Allen we received zero paperwork or owners manuals on anything other than for a few of the electrical appliances so it is all guesswork when it comes to how they are supposed to work.
Yeah, I don't know why they won't provide a proper owners manual, car makers can manage it so why can't van makers? I've called the factory a few times since delivery as I have either forgotten or was never told about certain features and functions. They could save time and effort by avoiding owners like me pestering them on the phone - falls on deaf ears it seems!
As for the leaking, seam sealer it is then! I'm off to Anaconda this morning for other things so hopefully they'll have some.
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
In an emergency have used a bees wax stick or candle to run along the stitched seams but over time it attracts dust & becomes a bit unsightly.
I'd try the commercial stuff from camping stores as suggested.
A lady stitching privacy screens at a caravan show suggested that the problem was due to the manufacturer using wrong needles/thread when doing the stitching. It needs to be a blunt round nose needle point it seems. I made a note of the best thread type but lost the piece of paper before I got home. Should have put it on my smart phone.
My awning/annex set up leaks where the walls meet the van end of the awning. Just a design flaw in the 20yo Kakadu annex. It's a poor design in many ways. You get that.
edit .... I think KiwiAs posted a waterproofing recipe recently.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 7th of April 2017 03:52:57 PM
Use Selley's seam sealer, can be found in camping shops or brought online, the dispenser comes with a brush and you apply it to the seams on the top side.
Hi BB, mine leaks through the stitching there too. I just rotate the roller around a bit more so the stitching is not on top, more to the front and no more leaks inside.
Cheers, John.
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Thanks again everyone some really good advice here - as it seems to be a common problem so I'm sure that there will be a few other people who also benefit from it.
cheers BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Saturday 8th of April 2017 08:27:57 AM
Most vans I've bought I've fitted new Aussie Travellers on way through Brissie.
THEY always came with an instruction sheets.
PLUS a manual\personal. Instruction on how to roll in\out and lock down
B4 leaving factory gates. (She is very efficient)
Mainly replacing prefitted Carefree ones.
I've thrown 2 away but kept material from them for carports
on mine and mate's vans.
As said. first thing you do is half roll it back in. Mark the spots
3 if centre leg...
and drill to suit.
Just put seam on top of roller. Problem fixed.
Doesn't "normally" give much hassles regarding tension of outer side walls
when erecting annexe.
Velcro front and back can take that up.
With a roll out longer than 15 ft. It's a good idea to buy an extra support
that mounts on outside of van to stop it sagging.
Also where the centre prop leg comes in. With
roof support kit too.
Stops material sag in rain and stretching.
NOT all know to lower one side a coupla inches for runoff.
OPPOSITE end to door please. with hose to general water tank.
Can try pva glue over stitching ? Dries clear, runs into fabric and flexible .. I have used a combo of bee's wax and linseed oil with turps . One of the BEST water resistant compounds out there . Just heat the wax and add linseed, turps while cooling ..
