Van Specialties Awning Brackets with Fiamma F45S

[skyrat]

Drove home this morning with the awning from SMB West and ordered the Van Specialties brackets on Tuesday. I was hoping to get a jump on the fastener issue. VS is away from the phone right now and I was wondering what size bolts are needed to mount the awning to the bracket and to mount the bracket to the van?

I am going to try and use stainless hardware with a button bolt head as I illustrated above. I may not have them available in my neck of the woods so I might have to order them. Many have shortened the bolts as well, so...

1. What diameter and length was sent to anyone with these brackets?
2. If you trimmed them, what length did you end up using?
3. Same info needed with regard to mounting the brackets to the awning.

Thanks!!

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by skyrat

Drove home this morning with the awning from SMB West and ordered the Van Specialties brackets on Tuesday. I was hoping to get a jump on the fastener issue. VS is away from the phone right now and I was wondering what size bolts are needed to mount the awning to the bracket and to mount the bracket to the van?

I am going to try and use stainless hardware with a button bolt head as I illustrated above. I may not have them available in my neck of the woods so I might have to order them. Many have shortened the bolts as well, so...

1. What diameter and length was sent to anyone with these brackets?
2. If you trimmed them, what length did you end up using?
3. Same info needed with regard to mounting the brackets to the awning.

Thanks!!

Sorry, I don't remember diameter... I did trim the bolts after install though, just chopped them off with a cutting wheel on my grinder.

[1der]

Sorry, I don't remember diameter... I did trim the bolts after install though, just chopped them off with a cutting wheel on my grinder.[/quote]

I was there and it was scary. Happened just like he said.

[skyrat]

Originally Posted by redrock

The depth of the rain gutters also varies. Plus they put a bunch of body putty in the rain gutter, at least on my 2008, making it more critical to clamp the brackets properly. Be thoughtful and careful as you test fit the brackets at each step. The idea is to make put them on solidly and well enough that they will not cause you trouble later.

My VS brackets arrived and I have a bunch of putty in the gutter as well. There is less than 1/8" of gutter above the putty. There does not seem to be enough gutter protruding above the putty to get good purchase, especially since that point of contact on the gutter clamp has a radius from a bend. Should I remove some putty? Should I try and clamp it vertically with a clamp of some kind and try and get the brackets to sink into the putty? Any ideas? I am concerned about removing putty that the factory thought should be there for sealant purposes.