Quote:
Originally Posted by econoline2000
I received my brackets yesterday and did a quick test-fit today (it wasn't raining ). It looks like they should work fine ... Thanks Ray! When I install the Fiamma, I'm guessing that I should install the front & rear brackets, then adjust the middle bracket (if needed) until they all line up, and then install the middle bracket ... do you agree?
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Best way I have found to do these for a 10 ft awning is:
First, Raise your pop top, if installing on a pop top van;
1. Get three 1/4-20 non locking nuts to use while test fitting. This saves the Ny-Lock nuts for final install.
2. Temporarily install the front bracket where it sits centered on the B Pillar and does not interfere with the door seals.
3. Pull a tape back 8 ft from the forward edge of the front bracket. This locates the rear edge of the rear bracket. Temporarily install the rear bracket.
4. Middle bracket locates about 1/2" or so behind the side doors opening.
5. With brackets secured on the gutter, hang the Fiamma awning on the brackets, it will hang on the front and rear bracket tabs.
6. Awning should extend about a foot in front of the front bracket to provide protection for the side door.
7. Match drill a small hole through both the awning back plate and each of the three awning brackets. Make sure to clean up any drill shavings since the brackets are steel and these shavings will rust. Attach a nut and screw/bolt which is usually supplied with the awning. This secures the awning to the brackets.
8. Now you can, one by one, replace the 1/4-20 non lock nuts with the button washers and the Ny-Locks provided with the brackets. Pop the caps on.
Make sure to tighten the clamping bolts and nuts securely AND check them after a couple of hundred miles and again after about 1,000 miles. Retighten if needed.
If you want to make a very cool improvement to the awning install - add a piece of 1/8" ABS as a rain guard over the doors to close off the gap between the awning and the van roof. Rallypanam and I have done this and it is excellent since using the awning when it is raining is one of the reasons to have an awning! And the doors are usually open.
Start with a piece of ABS about 9" tall and 8 ft long. TAP Plastics will cut this for you if you buy the plastic from them. The top of the plastic piece goes into the same groove on the back of the awning as the awning brackets tab. This creates a very effective flashing. Notch the plastic around the brackets. You will have to scribe the bottom of the plastic to match the arced contour of the gutter. IF you want to be really fancy, add a bulb seal to the bottom that rests in the gutter. put a couple of small screws, washers and nuts her and there to hold it all in place. Done right and this allows the doors to be open with no drips or rain coming in through the gap.
Closest pic I have right now, it is the filler on the back side of the awning: