Ben's 72 Bay

[Ben72Bay]

so...!
I've had this awning project in my head since buying the bus.
have done so much research into what others have done and recently I treated myself and bought one!
3.6m Fiamma.

Taken a bit of planning but finally finished installing it today





Had to fabricate a way to mount it so I bought a roof rack just for the two main metal bows (obviously they came in silver so I had to spray them white quickly! as did the C rail!). One at the back and one fitted through my existing front rack.
Then I bought a 6m length of stainless box section, cut it to 4M and then the remaining length in half.
Got those welded together and then also made up some thick brackets to strengthen everything.
Lots of stainless fixings later and bolted the awning C rail to the main construction at this point:
hardest part was drilling it all - cobalt bits for the win and lots of lube!





and we are done! clears the pop top with about 10mm gap.
Super strong construction. fitted bungs to the ends of the box section.
Be nice to neaten up the end of the C section somehow and also make it less pinchable!


Overall it is pretty much how I imagined it. haven't even had a chance to unroll the awning yet as had to get back to work and the bus is currently stored away from home so had to get back.
I wanted it all fitted into time for taking the family camping next week and then for the camp out at Dubs at the Castle

 

[dubselector]

Nice, now if you can come up with an mod for an awning that covers the whole van so you can work on it in the rain I'd definitely be your first customer

 

[matty74]

Great work looking forward to seeing the opening ceremony pics

 

[sparkywig]

Nice, now if you can come up with an mod for an awning that covers the whole van so you can work on it in the rain I'd definitely be your first customer

 

[Ben72Bay]

Great work looking forward to seeing the opening ceremony pics

Me too!!

 

[Ben72Bay]

First time sleeping out in the bus since owning it.
Really enjoyable experience.
Me on the main RR bed and eldest son in the pop top.
So worth all that time, money and effort to insulate everything during the rebuild.
It was cosy and warm and the temp was well controlled.


Watched a film in the pop top while it rained outside!


Set up the awning for the first time.
Need to buy the centre pole and make backing plates for each of the three mounting points for the poles. So will get that done soon.
Awning gives loads of cover and a great asset. Can add walls in the future to create another room.

Overall a great test run!

 

[YellowBay69]

Fine looking set up there. A credit to you

 

[Ben72Bay]

Fine looking set up there. A credit to you

Thank you!
It’s all good fun isn’t it!

 

[matty74]

Yes a brilliant reward for all your hard work. Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed following your gallery thread

 

[Ben72Bay]

Yes a brilliant reward for all your hard work. Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed following your gallery thread

Thanks Matty. Appreciate it!
Ben

 

[Darren2030]

Hey sparkywig what Coleman and size is that one you got there bud been looking to invest in one myself

 

[sparkywig]

Hey sparkywig what Coleman and size is that one you got there bud been looking to invest in one myself

It's the 4.5m event shelter xl.

 

[T2 Brinky]

First time sleeping out in the bus since owning it.
Really enjoyable experience.
Me on the main RR bed and eldest son in the pop top.
So worth all that time, money and effort to insulate everything during the rebuild.
It was cosy and warm and the temp was well controlled.
View attachment 8407

Watched a film in the pop top while it rained outside!
View attachment 8408

Set up the awning for the first time.
Need to buy the centre pole and make backing plates for each of the three mounting points for the poles. So will get that done soon.
Awning gives loads of cover and a great asset. Can add walls in the future to create another room.
View attachment 8409
Overall a great test run!

Looking great, well done.
Does the awning make much noise/whissle when driving

Look fallward to seeing it a DATC.

 

[Darren2030]

It's the 4.5m event shelter xl.

Thanks mate

 

[Ben72Bay]

Looking great, well done.
Does the awning make much noise/whissle when driving

Look fallward to seeing it a DATC.

I would say it does a bit.
But I’ve got quite a loud exhaust and there always some noise with a roof rack and Pop Top!

 

[ozziedog]

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,now that looks great, it surely does. See you at the Castle

 

[Ben72Bay]

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,now that looks great, it surely does. See you at the Castle

Looking forward to it!

 

[creationblue]

Top work that

 

[Ben72Bay]

Something I noticed when putting up the awning is that the side horizontal poles had nothing to tension against.
Because the way I’d made it the awning was suspended, but not resting against anything.

So - I made up three thick aluminium right angle brackets and bought some Sika flex-117 Metal Force Construction Glue to bond the them onto the existing structure.
The spec suggested it would be up to the job. But no, it hasn’t set….

So rather than risk it I’ve used more stainless steel bolts to fix them in place



Hopefully that’s this job done!!!

 

[Ben72Bay]

Bit more prep for the camping next weekend!
Finally fitted the table with Sequoia leg kit that I’d had for ages
Got somewhere to put my beer now