Carthagoforum

Hi
I'm looking to move my Dometic 3.5 meter awning forward on the van. My problem is the back bracket which is bonded to the van roof will have to be moved forward.
My reason for moving the awning is it does not cover completely the sliding door as its short by about 150mm.
My question is can the bonded bracket be easily moves as I have no experience with these bonding materials. Th bracket is an aluminium extrusion and appears to be bonded with a Silkaflex type bond. Is there a process that will allow this bracket to be moves without damage to either the van or indeed the bracket.
Hopefully someone on the forum has had experience of this?

Regards and thanks... and above all stay safe
dermot

Hi Dermot,

which Dometic awning do you have? There are manuals available on the Dometic website for operation and installation of the awning. Usually there is a seperate installation manual available for the mounting rails/brackets. In these manuals you should find all information in which position you can mount the awning and how to fix the mounting brackets on the car...

Kind regards

Andreas

Hi Andreas
Thanks for your reply, I should have outlined above that my situation....It is, that I want to move an existing awning which was fitted at purchase in Ireland.
A Dometic is a P2000 model and is 3.75(not 3.5as stated) metres long.
It is fixed with three aluminium extruded brackets one at each end and one in the middle each is about 150mm long. each of these is bolted/clamped to the roof of the van (640le) and then glued or bonded to the roof. In moving awning forward the back bracket is exposed and not cannot clamp the awning as the end plastic cap will not engage with the bracket and thus the clamp won't hold. My initial query was if anyone has ever removed a Silkaflex type bond material without damage to roof and paintwork? as this bracket needs also to move forward.
My other option is to purchase another P2000 model Dometic awning that is 4.00 long... allowing the cover for the sliding door and utilising the existing brackets already in place.
Just as I'm on the forum what length awning do members have on their 640's
Regards and thanks again Andreas
dermot

For the 640 the 4m awning is the right one. The 3,75m awning is intended for the 6m car.

Hi Dermot,

in the "wohnmobilforum" (unfortunately on german) you will find some good tips on how to remove a Sikaflex bonding.

https://www.wohnmobilforum.de/w-t67071.html

I copied one of the posts:
"a short report on the release of Sikaflex glue. According to your suggestions, I have tested various solvents (petrol, acetone, silicone remover, heat,) to a piece of Sikaflex without success. In response to my request, Ottozeus GmbH announced that Sikaflex can only be solved mechanically (scratch or cut). We have now lifted the awning holders with pliers and cut the Sikaflex adhesive with carpet knife blades. Glue residues on the womo outer skin were removed with the blade. Of course, the paint was damaged.
I've learned that you can only glue parts with Sikaflex that should always stick to it..."


Kind regards
Torben

Hi Jurgan and Torben
Thanks for your advice, I had considered the use of solvents such acetone or a heat gun. I found a spray called DeBond Marine formula online but using it involves a blade to cut into the bond adhesive and levering the parts apart... risky and a steady hand needed. The video for this product looks impressive. There is a broad surface area on the brackets and I'm not sure this process could get the job done and the bracket by its nature would be destroyed.
As Jurgan suggested the 4meter awning is the correct length for the 640 I'm now considering this as the original brackets can be used.
There may be a 3.75 Dometic awning on e-Bay soon.
Regards and many thanks for your advice
Dermot