Retrofit wind out awning installation to Grand 600

[stevesilverGC]

Does anyone have any experience with fitting a thule or similar wind out awning to a Grand California 600, Ours was supplied without one and I would like to have one installed. I was wondering if the installation would involve removal of any internal fitments such as lockers, top bed etc. Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

 

[Wavefury]

I'd be interested in the answer to this as well. We just got our Grand Cali (ex-demo) with no awning.

On our Ocean it connects to the awning slot, but there isn't one on the GC, so suspect it bolts through to somewhere.

Cheers,
Andy

 

[itsSteve]

We were advised that a factory fit awning was exactly that, as significant internal bracing was required during the build, inside the fibre glass top, so much, in fact, that it took the vehicle above the 3.5t limit. We up-plated our 600 (currently on order) to 3.8t as we wanted one, but that will have licence implications for some drivers. I assume, therefore, that an aftermarket awning will present a challenge .......... I'll be interested to hear how you get on

 

[Spyder]

We were advised that a factory fit awning was exactly that, as significant internal bracing was required during the build, inside the fibre glass top, so much, in fact, that it took the vehicle above the 3.5t limit. We up-plated our 600 (currently on order) to 3.8t as we wanted one, but that will have licence implications for some drivers. I assume, therefore, that an aftermarket awning will present a challenge .......... I'll be interested to hear how you get on

No they bond it on the out side mine is being donee by Vw at a cost£1200 fully fitted GC 680

 

[Spyder]

I got mine from breeze Vw commercial Southampton 4 weeks ago they have checked it out and that’s how they fit them just waiting for the Thule awning to turn up may be July if not t think September cos of holidays in Europe I keep you posted

 

[Nick Henshall]

I got mine from breeze Vw commercial Southampton 4 weeks ago they have checked it out and that’s how they fit them just waiting for the Thule awning to turn up may be July if not t think September cos of holidays in Europe I keep you posted

Hi Did you get the awning fitted

 

[Phil Dub]

No they bond it on the out side mine is being donee by Vw at a cost£1200 fully fitted GC 680

Hi. How did it go with the retro fit of the awning. I need to get my one fitted but wanted to know if it was done ok and who done it.Thanks

 

[itsSteve]

Yes, how's it all going? I posted in 2021 above, and I'm guessing the issues for the 600 and 680 are different. The 680 is already over 3.5t and doesn't have the fibre glass top, so I imagine fitting may be less problematic

 

[Phil Dub]

No they bond it on the out side mine is being donee by Vw at a cost£1200 fully fitted GC 680

Hi I'm thinking of have a awning retro fitted on my GC, I know it was a while ago but can I ask who did it and was you pleased with the end result

 

[SandyR]

I used Hill View Awnings in Sturminster Marshall near Poole. Great friendly service and they do a very good job. ( I believe VW Breeze Poole use them. )

 

[Coachella]

the GC 680 doesnt have the fibre top like the GC600 - so the awning brackets for the 680 prob would fit on the roof rails.
The GC 600 i doubt would be bonded on the fibre top/side. For the Knaus Boxlife (same as the GC 600) , brackets are used on the inside of the fibre top and on the outside to sandwich between the top, for strength. My camper was sold with a side awning, but on delivery didnt have one on.
They had to contact Knaus in Germany to get these brackets (which i am sure they had to get from VW). When the dealer got them - they explained that the roof lining and the top cupboards all had to come out to then fit these brackets on the inside. I haven't had it done since i am waiting for a replacement camper now.
So yes I am sure anything can be done - but expect the top half of the inside to be taken out for it to be a factory standard install.

 

[SandyR]

My 600 was bonded and bolted. The roof is reinforced as standard for an awning in the right places.

 

[SandyR]

And there was no need to do anything inside the van.

 

[SpuffingtonMe]

My Knaus BoxDrive600XL had one fitted from factory. However, the way these are fitted is just purely bonded and 3x bolts at regular intervals along the fibreglass top. It's fairly standard for all motorhomes/PVCs.

 

[Coachella]

Sound like I have been given some old soap by the Dealer.
:/

 

[Phil Dub]

I used Hill View Awnings in Sturminster Marshall near Poole. Great friendly service and they do a very good job. ( I believe VW Breeze Poole use them. )

Hi Sandy. Can I ask if it was done recently and could you let me know how much please.(PM me please)

 

[CeriRogers76]

We’ve just had a Thule Omnistor fitted to our ex demo GC600.
Took a lot of research but finally found the VW part required.
Great job of sourcing and fitting everything via Rose Awnings in Bournmouth.
Small family firm and a registered Thule stockist. Works a treat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Phil Dub]

Does anyone have any experience with fitting a thule or similar wind out awning to a Grand California 600, Ours was supplied without one and I would like to have one installed. I was wondering if the installation would involve removal of any internal fitments such as lockers, top bed etc. Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

Hill View awnings near Poole in Dorset did mine. Fitted it perfectly while I waited

 

[CeriRogers76]

Mine was done by Rose Awnings in Bournmouth while I waited. Good service and nice guys


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andyo]

Mine was done by Rose Awnings in Bournmouth while I waited. Good service and nice guys


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Ceri,
I’m looking to get one fitted to my GC600. Was yours bolted and bonded from the outside?

If so, just wondered if you’ve had any issues so far? Unfortunately, Bournemouth is too far for me to drive for this as we’re based up north. Any info you could share in the part or bracket positions would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[CeriRogers76]

There is ply already bonded internally by VW so it is fitted entirely from outside.
These photos may also help for the bracket codes info etc

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CeriRogers76]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andyo]

Hi Ceri,

Thanks so much for sharing. I took my Grand Cali 600 to a specialist last week to check but we’re both a little nervous about doing this. There’s no easy way to remove the trim internally (due to bunk bed and cupboards) to check there’s actually any ply / reinforcement to screw into. Good to hear though, sounds like yours is okay and standing up to use over time.

Seems like the only way to know for sure is to start drilling, which isn’t great. He mentioned the risk it could crack the side of the fibreglass roof if we got it wrong. I’ll keep looking.

So you suspect there’s ply lining across the whole length of the roof sidewall? Don’t suppose you could possibly share any photos of yours? Just keen to see positioning and ideally work out best places to screw the brackets on. Sorry to be a pain, no worries if not possible

 

[Rostman]

I just got mine fitted. To mount the awning i use Dometic Perfect Wall adapters (9103103875) with additional 3D printed adapters to cover the shape of the roof.
But i was so unlucky. First time i try to use the awning the wind destroyed it.