Maintenance & Restoration

Meghan · 07-24-2015, 07:12 PM

We are purchasing an awning and "c rail" to install on the Playpac. Any ideas on how to attach the rail to the fiberglass? Should we back it with anything? Any pics of your rails would be appreciated. Trying to make her original

a little vintage is cool right?
.

Click image for larger version

Name: ImageUploadedByFiberglass RV1437786718.420496.jpg
Views: 40
Size: 213.2 KB
ID: 87063

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Borrego Dave · 07-24-2015, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghan

We are purchasing an awning and "c rail" to install on the Playpac. Any ideas on how to attach the rail to the fiberglass? Should we back it with anything? Any pics of your rails would be appreciated. Trying to make her original

a little vintage is cool right?
. [ATTACH]87063[/ATTACH

A number of ways are possible. Some pop rivet it, or bolt and some use VHB tape.

Meghan · 07-24-2015, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borrego Dave

A number of ways are possible. Some pop rivet it, or bolt and some use VHB tape.

Do I need to have a wood backing inside to make the fastener more sturdy?
What are the pros and cons of these options?

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Borrego Dave · 07-24-2015, 08:01 PM

If you are only using an awning while you're camping just the VHB tape would work fine and wouldn't make holes. A bag awning that travels down the road would probably be better attached with some thru the shell connections and putty tape. Others will chime in soon.

mary and bob · 07-24-2015, 08:04 PM

There is a type of pop rivet called a "peel" rivet. it spreads out more than a normal pop rivet. I used pop rivets to install the awning rail on our Uhaul. Fender washers would be good as backing if you can get at that area
We have a bag awning

rowdy · 07-25-2015, 12:54 PM

Any advice on installing a bag awning on a 13' Boler? Will a 10' awning work?

mary and bob · 07-25-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowdy

Any advice on installing a bag awning on a 13' Boler? Will a 10' awning work?

I've never seen a Boler, but looks similar to our 13' Uhaul in size and shape. We put a 7' bag awning on ours because that was the maximum straight flat area we could use. The bag awning won't work on the curved ends. Bag awning also requires two ball sockets, one at each end of the rail for the "rafters" to connect to the trailer body. This info is based on the Shademaker brand awning that we bought. Problem with the 7' awning is it is only available in the Classic model that has the cheap twist lock poles. I have heard it can be special ordered with the better Supreme model poles but that cuts the projection length (out from the trailer) down to 6' from the standard 7'. I would go this route if possible. I also bought the optional center rafter, cheap enough so got it shipped with the awning. The trick with a curved roof trailer is to get the awning rail up high enough so the door will clear the awning, but not too high for the ball sockets. With this brand awning I, and one other owner, have found that water gets in the bag when the awning is rolled up in storage mode. We suspect it enters around the stitching.

rowdy · 07-25-2015, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the info. Yes, the Boler is very similar to your Uhaul.

Meghan · 07-27-2015, 05:52 AM

It is not a bag awning. It's one we take off the trailer. If I'm not concerned about making holes and just want to make sure I do it right is the tape the best way?
We bought a rivet gun with an assortment of rivets. I don't know if there is the spread out type.
Do I butyl tape every rivet?
So if I google "installing an awning on fiberglass trailer" any how to video should be good for my needs?

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Meghan · 07-27-2015, 01:00 PM

Does anyone have photos of theirs?

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

**RogerDat** · 08-06-2015, 10:18 AM

Lot of awning threads right now, came across this one from a site search. Guess no one answered your question.

Butyl tape acts as a seal and gasket between the metal rail and the FG shell. Not an adhesive tape. You would run the butyl tape the whole length of the rail not just at each rivet.

VHB tape is adhesive and some folks have put up awning rails using this. Might need to be replaced every few years depending on how the climate treats it. With this you would not use any rivets, machine screws or bolts to attach the awning rail.