DIY gutter mount awning drip guard

[kbeefy]

I've seen several references to drip guards that go between the van body an awning, but can't find any pictures of what anyone has come up with.


Would anyone mind sharing a pic, and maybe what material was used and a source?


Cheers!

[N147JK]

Sorry no pictures, but I used a very thin piece of Plexiglass, cut into a long rectangle. This is then bent over so that it snaps back and into position between the roof gutter and the awning brackets. No fasteners or adhesive needed. Worked great - rain is channeled into the gutter and out the front and back.

But I removed it because I noticed it retained debris, which in turn retained moisture. Whatever you decide, watch out for this - don't want moisture or any material sitting in the gutter as that's a famous place for rust to develop on these vans.

[Twoxentrix]

You can always consider making your own using the examples below, and I believe member 1der has posted a method he's incorporated (might reach out to him, unless he chimes in here):
https://www.trudoor.com/pemko/346bsp...iABEgKaAvD_BwE
https://nomadicsupply.com/fiamma-986...yABEgLVVPD_BwE
https://www.campingworld.com/peel-n-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Before you purchase anything I suggest a 'search' since many of these are available through multiple sources & prices for the same item vary considerably.

[kbeefy]

I am planning on doing the DIY route as @N147JK suggests.


Thanks for the tips guys!

[1der]

1/16th" ABS sheet. Start with about 8" wide by full ~8ft length if doing this with a Fiamma awning. Do not use 1/8th", it is too thick.

I have done about ten of these myself and guided a few more and they work great but there are tricks to doing it right and making it easier..

kbeefy - PM me w your phone number. Happy to go over it all if you want to detail it in this thread. I am recovering from shoulder surgery and do not have the ability to type much.

[kbeefy]

No consultation needed, 1/16 8"x8' ABS sheet will get me close enough.


I found a 10" x 96" chunk on Ebay for $31 delivered... I live 60 miles from the hardware store so free delivery is actually worth quite a bit to me for small stuff.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/405206265079


I'll probably PM you in a couple weeks when I can't figure out what to do with it.


I wish you a speedy recovery on the shoulder!

[1der]

Thx for the well wishes
Excellent price for the ABS!

tips for Fiamma F45 install:
Upper ABS edge goes into hook over on back of extrusion, notched for brackets that use same hook over.

TrimLok makes a nice edge bulb seal w 5mm bulb. Does nice job of finishing the lower edge that goes in gutter. Lower edge typically needs shallow relief notches for bracket clamps.

Tin snips do best for cutting the ABS.

Scribe tool to match arc of gutter.

Heat gun to "blister around mounting brackets.

Strong 2x sided high bond tape (or more small nuts and screws) secures rain shield to back side of brackets.

[martinli]

Use VHB tape to fix the ABS plastic against the awning back.

This is so strong and will never fall off. That's at least my experience.


I had to remove parts of my ABS and it was really hard to get it of. The ABS pieces are broken and bend after that.


@1der Ray has got a very very good description for awning bracket installation. And there is a small section describing the gap filling with ABS.
Thank's for this Ray !


cheers, Martin

[upzmtn]

You may already be down the path of the plexi solution. But, I thought I would add to the the thread what we use. We use the bottom rubber seal for a garage door. We only put it up there when needed. It rolls up and stores in the back of the door step storage. Out of sight, out of mind until we need it again.


Ours is similar to:

[hansk]

Originally Posted by upzmtn

You may already be down the path of the plexi solution. But, I thought I would add to the the thread what we use. We use the bottom rubber seal for a garage door.

This is what I've done. But I taped the rubber gasket to the back of the Awning case. It hasn't blown off yet and has worked very well.