Fitting an Awning on a T4 Pop Top

[BetterCallPaul]

Hi All,
I am looking to get some advice on fitting a Thule Omnistar anwing to a 2004 T4 Pop Top which has a C-side rail. I have spent some time looking at other posts here on the topic, as well as what is listed in the shop area, but they have not answered my question so I am hoping to get some specifc advice from those with a similar van to mine.

I am going for a Thule Omnistar as its what is available locally, but the local shop where I am buying it specialise in Roof Racks and Tow bars so have never fitted an awning before and are a bit hesitant in fitting it for me. I am wondering how easy or difficult this is to do myself in case they decline to fit it.

The van itself is factory built T4 with a c-rail fitted. The awning offered is a Thule 4200 3M X 2M manual wind out awning with brackets that require drilling. I am reluctant to have anyone drill holes in my van but they said they did not have the no-drill brackets available in stock plus they said it would be more secure anyway.

I have included pictures of the brackets, and how they would line up with the van. The holes/screws/RivNuts would have to be drilled just where the poptop rubber meets the roof. Otherwise the bracket looks like it would work and not interfere with the roof or the door. In my last van the anwning was secured in a similar place so I think it should work , but I am looking for advice to see if anyone here has either

A) fitted an anwning themselves and can comment on how easy difficult it is and what tools and sealants they used?

B) fitted ones with "no drill brackets" and can share how that works and how they are attached. Or any alternatives.

C) Can point to anything I should be aware of before going ahead and paying a garage to fit something they have never done before.

Any advice much apprecated.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[sidepod]

I fitted an awning as per the original Westy drawings so it used three brackets as opposed to two.
The awning was the Fiamma , again as spec’d by Westy.

I did a post here documenting it back in 2016 I think?

It’s easy enough but then I had exact dimensions of where to drill.
Inserting the rivnuts is easy with the correct tool.

Alignment of the brackets is crucial so you don’t introduce any twist in the awning casing meaning it won’t close properly.

 

[sidepod]

 

[sidepod]

 

[sidepod]

 

[BetterCallPaul]

Hey, thanks a lot for sharing the detailed pictures. It looks like we have very simlar vans even the color looks identical. I can see that your brackets are different but perhaps thats because of the C-rail that runs along the roof of mine. In any case the pictures are incredibly helpful to get an idea of what the installation would look like and what tools are involved. I don't have that tool for the riv-nuts so I am veering towards getting the garage to do it. I will ask the shop why they only had two brackets instread of 3.
Am I correct that the riv-nuts at the top do not protrude from the inner linning of the van? As in you don't seem them at all from the inside of the van?

Can I also ask what is the benefit of those plastic attachments at the bottom? I imagine that its to attach the poles to instead of the ground, but I was not planning on using them. In your view is it a must have for stablity or just a nice to have?

Thanks a lot this is super helpful.
Paul

 

[sidepod]

The rivnuts are completely hidden inside the section of the shell.

The tool isn’t expensive at all.

The lower brackets are for the awning legs. Again correct Westy fit. It does make the pitch tidy without legs to get in way.
If you do go that route just make sure you line everything up so the front door opens with tge legs installed.
Not entirely sure it’s any advantage other than a good conversation starter.

 

[sidepod]

Here’s a pic of the awning legs.

 

[BetterCallPaul]

Thanks, really nice picture. It looks like we are van twins. It looks tidier, but I know that I'd bang into them more if they were beside the van and less if they were on the ground. So I think I will skip that bit for now. I will share an update after I hear back from the shop. I'm veering towards getting the professionals to do it, while closely looking over their shoulder.

 

[BetterCallPaul]

Hi All,
I am a bit late in replying but I want to give a quick update regarding my awning question. The infomration provided really helped me to decide that I neither had the time, skill or tools to do the drilling and fitting myself. The garage also pushed my appointment back and said they could not do it in time before my trip.

So in the end I had to come up with an alternative solution, which was to buy and small detachable awning from my local camping shop. Since I am traveling at the moment in summer in France it works really well for protecting against the shade. Its also really light and packs away quite small so it does not take up much room.

The downsides is that its a bit flimsy so its not going to hold up in any strong wind or rain. Its also a bit of a pain to put up when on your own. But it gives others something to laugh at while I struggle.
On the whole though, its not a bad product at all and worth considering if others are in the same situation. I've added some pictures in case its helpful.