With a VW 79’ Bay window ourselves we have always found there is not as much information regarding connecting to classic campers as their modern descendants. We have created this article to cover all the methods of connecting a Drive-Away Awning or Sun Canopy to your VW T2 Bay, Splitscreen or T25.
Pole & Clamp Connection Option
Our go to connection option for a T2 or T25 would be a Pole and Clamp connection kit which provides the most secure collection along the edge of your classic VeeDub. The Pole & Clamp Kit can be used with any van with a clear roof gutter rail (without roof racks or other obstructions) that will take the 2.6m pole length and 12mm diameter.
The vast majority of Drive-Away Awnings and Sun Canopies will have a ‘Pole Sleeve’ sewn into the connection tunnel or vehicle edge – but it is always worth double checking that the awning/canopy you are interested in does have this.
To use the Pole and Clamp Kit close your side door and slide the pole through the pole sleeve on the top edge of the awning tunnel and place the pole into the roof gutter rail. Position the pole towards the rear of the Bus so the sliding door can fully open without damaging the awning tunnel fabric.
Clamp each end of the exposed pole and put the third clamp in the centre position inside the awning tunnel where the material has a cut away. We usually fit the centre clamp after the awning has been inflated and roughly pegged to save faffing about under the fabric while it’s just hanging on the side of the Bus.
Angle the clamps upwards (approx. 30°) with wingnuts pointing down, the gaskets are used to protect the paintwork on the underside of the roof rail. If it’s the first time you’ve used these clamps, carefully check that your Bus doors open and close without obstruction.
Top Tip: If you have pristine paintwork and are cautious about putting a pole in your vans roof gutter rail you can wrap gaffer tape around the pole in a few places for protection.
If you have a Brazilian with a front roof rack fitted you should still have space in the gutter for the 2.6m pole length.
Throw Over Strap Connection Option
Throw over straps/guylines are included as standard with all the Drive-Away Awnings that we stock but would not be a connection option for most canopies on the market. The Throw over straps do not provide as secure a connection method as the Pole and Clamp but are a good option if the gutter of you van is in use. These are connected to the top corner edges of the awning tunnel and simply go over the top of the vehicle and peg down on the other side.
If necessary, the webbing straps can be guided around the front and rear of an elevating roof on Westy’s Devon’s etc.
Velcro Tabs
Velcro Tabs are included on all Vango AirBeam Drive-Away Awnings as standard and can be used to attach to the scissor hinge of an elevating roof and/or roof racks. Velcro tabs can also be used in conjunction with the webbing straps to form a secure connection.
Figure of 8 Connection Option
Figure of 8 is a rigid plastic profile that can be purchased as a pack of 3 x 1m lengths and will slide onto the kador strip that is sewn into nearly all awnings and sun canopies on the market.
Figure of 8 is a great option for customers that have limited access to the gutter on your wagon as it simply needs to hook onto the edge of the gutter as opposed to sitting inside it as the pole and clamp kit does.However, this method does rely on the tension of the awning/canopy fabric to keep the figure of 8 so does not offer as secure an attachment as the Pole & Clamp Kit.
To use simply slide the 3 lengths of Figure of 8 Awning Channel onto the Kador strip piping sewn-in to the top edge of the tunnel.
Hook the other side of the Figure of 8 Awning Channel on to the edge of the roof gutter and position the awning so the tunnel fabric is taught enough to keep the channel hooked on.
If you have a roof rack/racks fitted, the Figure of 8 Awning Channel can be trimmed to fit in between and either side of the roof rack brackets.
Attaching to an Awning Rail
We sometimes have customers with High Top Buses that already have C-profile rails or J-rails fitted at base of the roof.
To connect to a C-profile rail you can use a 6mm-to-6mm Drive-Away Kit which consists of Figure of 8 and kador strip. To use just slide the figure of 8 strips onto the awning Kador and then slide the Kador strip into the figure of 8 and C-channel to connect.
To connect to a J-Rail you can use figure of 8 to which slides onto the awning kador then hooks on to the edge of the rail. As mentioned previously this method does rely on the tension of the material to keep the figure of 8 connected.
Connecting to a Wind Out Awning
Whilst not as common on classic Vans, we also have the odd T25 come in with a Fiamma or Thule wind-out awning fitted. These awnings have a C-profile channel at the front that can be used to connect an AirBeam awning.
Fiamma Windouts have a slightly smaller profile that connects using a 6mm-to-4mm Drive-Away Kit whereas most other brands on the market will use the industry standard 6mm-to-6mm Drive-Away Kits.
Driving-Away & reconnecting to your awning
If you intend to drive out for the day in your Bus – it’s really important that you mark your parking position. A lot of VeeDubbers struggle with this part of drive-away awnings and it can be frustrating if you have to reverse backwards and forwards a dozen times to get back into position.
Once you’ve pitched, tensioned you’re awning tunnel and done your final pegging, mark your position on the drivers side – there’s no excuse then for blaming your partners directions! 🙂 We just use a guyline pegged between wheel hub centres, position it a couple of inches out from the tyres. An illuminous or reflective guyline will make it easier to see in dim/dark light conditions.
Loosen off front webbing straps and guylines then detach connection – cruise out of camp for the day in your 20th century design icon.
To reconnect, wind down your window and drive back into position making sure that the pegs align with wheel hub centres.
Re-attach the awning connection, peg the awning tunnel and then retension the front webbing straps and guylines.
The guyline marker also serves the purpose of marking your camping pitch… just in case someone thinks about parking or pitching too closely
We hope this article has been useful.
The Funky Leisure Team