Posted by Katie Martin on 12th Aug 2024
How to Stop a Campervan Sliding Door from Ripping Your Awning
How to Stop a Campervan Sliding Door from Ripping Your Awning
One common concern among campervan owners is the risk of a sliding door catching and ripping their awning. This can be a frustrating and costly issue, especially if it damages your awning during a trip. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips and solutions to prevent your campervan sliding door from ripping your awning. For high-quality awnings and camping accessories, visit olproshop.com.
Why Does the Sliding Door Rip the Awning?
Sliding doors on campervans can sometimes catch on the fabric of an awning, especially if the awning is not set up correctly or if the door is opened too forcefully. This issue is more common with driveaway awnings that connect directly to the side of the campervan, where the door’s edge might snag the fabric.
You’ve got to always remember that campervan awnings are universal products and made to fit a number of campervan types so it’s usual that the door will go past the side tunnel of the awning but you can make sure it doesn’t snag on it.
With all OLPRO awnings, they come with straps to tighten and loosen the campervan awning on the side of the campervan and keys to use these. Use these straps to make sure you don't rip the awning tunnel and then to ensure that the awning tunnel is tight to the campervan.
How to Stop a Campervan Sliding Door from Ripping Your Awning
Tips to Prevent Your Awning from Ripping
Correct Awning Setup
Ensuring that your awning is set up correctly is the first step in preventing damage.
For more on how to pitch a campervan awning: How to Put Up a Campervan Awning - OLPRO (olproshop.com)
Positioning: When setting up your awning, make sure it is properly aligned with your campervans sliding door. The connection should be taut, but not overly tight, to avoid fabric strain. When you want to open the door (or close it) you can loosen the fabric using the strap.
Height Adjustment: If your awning allows for height adjustment, set it at a level that minimises the contact between the door and the fabric.
Use a Driveaway Kit
A driveaway kit can help create a better connection between your campervan and the awning, reducing the risk of the door catching on the fabric as it keeps it a little further away from the van.
Figure-of-Eight Channel: Using a figure-of-eight channel and keder strip helps maintain a secure attachment that is less likely to move or shift when the door is opened.
Flexible Attachment: The driveaway kit allows the awning to flex slightly, reducing tension on the fabric when the door is in use.
Gentle Opening: Encourage gentle opening and closing of the sliding door to minimise the risk of it catching on the awning. Regardless of whether you've used the straps or not to make sure the awning is in the right position - always be careful when opening the door.
Regular Maintenance and Checks
Regularly inspecting and maintaining both your awning and sliding door can prevent potential issues.
Check Tension: Regularly check the tension of your awning to ensure it’s not too tight, as this can increase the likelihood of tears.
For more on how to attach an awning to a campervan: How Do Awnings Attach to a Campervan? - OLPRO (olproshop.com)
Why Choose OLPRO Awnings?
OLPRO is a trusted name in the camping community, known for its durable and innovative products. Here’s why you should consider OLPRO awnings:
Durability: OLPRO awnings are made from high-quality, weather-resistant materials that can withstand wear and tear, including contact with sliding doors. You can loosen the tunnel as needed and the tighten back onto the door once it’s open.
Innovative Design: OLPRO awnings feature thoughtful designs that minimise the risk of damage from campervan doors.
Wide Range of Accessories: OLPRO offers a variety of accessories, such as driveaway kits and protective strips, to help keep your awning in top condition.
Conclusion
Preventing your campervan's sliding door from ripping your awning involves a combination of correct setup, protective measures, and regular maintenance. By following these tips, you can enjoy a worry-free camping experience with your awning securely in place.
For a wide selection of high-quality campervan awnings and accessories, visit olproshop.com
Discover why OLPRO is a trusted name in the camping world and protect your gear with our reliable and innovative products. Happy camping!