Have you needed to replace/repair your wind out awning fabric because of the 'weld'?

[Klakski]

Right, 2015, ours split too in Switzerland on our way to Italy last year(2022). Duct taped it and we managed during the holiday.
Back at home I went to a tent/awning specialist and they glued and double stitched it back together for about 25Euros I think it was.
During winding it out to screw it back onto the van it somehow fell off and it wrecked the plastic front. Luckely no damage to the van but I had to buy a new plastic front side of the awning. Nowhere to be found except online somewhere in Austria which cost more than the repairing of the awning.

It working as it should again

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Ours split twice while still under warranty so the whole awning was replaced each time. In the end we decided to replace it with a Fiamma which I think is a much better unit and has always had one piece fabric. I could never understand the logic of having it in two pieces.

VW probably asked for the cheapest price for the awning for their California and were “Probably” told to achieve this the awning material would have to be in 2 pieces and “Welded” or more commonly known in the UK as ”Glued“ together.
This was all ok until the 40 degree heat decided to melt the glue.
Of coarse the Awnings are now made in one piece material like they should have been from the beginning.

 

[Jerby]

Here the same issue on our 2016 California. 2 years ago I've glued the split with 2 component epoxie and it lasts till this spring in Italy. Now I've glued it with Soundal FixAll which can hold 320kg/10cm2 and upto 90 degC. Hope it will last longer than 2 years.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Here the same issue on our 2016 California. 2 years ago I've glued the split with 2 component epoxie and it lasts till this spring in Italy. Now I've glued it with Soundal FixAll which can hold 320kg/10cm2 and upto 90 degC. Hope it will last longer than 2 years.

When ours came apart and before we negotiated a new replacement l used Stormsure Adhesive,It seemed to work really well and if we hadn’t got a new complete awning I would have used stormsure along the whole length.
It is resistant to temperatures from -30 degrees C right up to +80 degrees C.And stays flexible.
that should cope with most countries in the Summer

 

[Campercan]

Hello from Switzerland!

My 2017 plate California Coast suffered the glue meets sun equals fail on holidays this summer (see photos!)

We made do for the rest of our trip by rigging a front screen to hang horizontally with a couple of decathlon poles and guylines; worked ok but a bit of a faff!

After a phone call to local dealer and a few calls with VW / AMAG import we have been offered a full replacement awning at no cost

I hope this can help others in a similar position to get recompense for what is clearly a product shortcoming

Happy Camping y’all!

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Hello from Switzerland!

My 2017 plate California Coast suffered the glue meets sun equals fail on holidays this summer (see photos!)

We made do for the rest of our trip by rigging a front screen to hang horizontally with a couple of decathlon poles and guylines; worked ok but a bit of a faff!

After a phone call to local dealer and a few calls with VW / AMAG import we have been offered a full replacement awning at no cost

I hope this can help others in a similar position to get recompense for what is clearly a product shortcoming

Happy Camping y’all!

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I would say you are very lucky indeed to get a replacement awning after 6 years. Ours was only 6 months out of warranty and they flatly refused to do anything. It was only being a pain in the bum to them that they agreed to a third payment which meant £250 but certainly better than paying for a new one ourselves.

 

[WelshGas]

VW probably asked for the cheapest price for the awning for their California and were “Probably” told to achieve this the awning material would have to be in 2 pieces and “Welded” or more commonly known in the UK as ”Glued“ together.
This was all ok until the 40 degree heat decided to melt the glue.
Of coarse the Awnings are now made in one piece material like they should have been from the beginning.

Thule/Omnistore used to make other Awning models in 2 pieces. All changed to 1 piece at about the same time. So probably not a VW requirement.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

The 2 piece awning is just another VW ticking time-bomb. It can be perfect for years and years then all of a sudden…… A bit like the roof paintwork, control panel knob and the 180 engine. Can all be fine one minute then a bill for who knows what..

 

[Amarillo]

The 2 piece awning is just another VW ticking time-bomb. It can be perfect for years and years then all of a sudden…… A bit like the roof paintwork, control panel knob and the 180 engine. Can all be fine one minute then a bill for who knows what..

Isn’t that what happens to all things?

Washing machine fine for 10 - 15 years, and then bosch… you need a new Bosch. Same with fridges, boilers, cookers, even curtain rails, sliding wardrobe doors, garden fences, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc,…

 

[Mr B]

2017 - Mines just split too (from the back as per all the photos)...

Not going to bother with VW under all in one Warranty as I know it will be too painful.

Campercan Wish I lived in Switzerland - they obviously treat customers differently.

Does anyone know where you can get 2.6m wide material or is 2.5m wide acceptable - not paying over £300 for some official replacement material when it's no more than £25 a metre as sold at Attwools?