Retrofit piping rail for driveaway awning connection

[Gavins]

Hi all, I have 2008 alphard and looking to upgrade my driveaway awning and want to connect a piping rail on the vehicle, any experience with the best options

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Gavins said:

Hi all, I have 2008 alphard and looking to upgrade my driveaway awning and want to connect a piping rail on the vehicle, any experience with the best options

 

Hi Gavin,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Search Awnings in the Forum.

It's a popular topic.

 

The search box is top right hand side of your home page.

 

I am sure you will find members experience, and ingenuity, very interesting.

[dezufo]

17 hours ago, Gavins said:

Hi all, I have 2008 alphard and looking to upgrade my driveaway awning and want to connect a piping rail on the vehicle, any experience with the best options

By piping rail I presume you mean the rail that the awning connects to, commonly called a C rail. They come in various profiles most of them with a flat part that is screwed & glued to the roof of the vehicle, either flat on the roof or in the channel that is under the black strip

 

[gavali]

hi

2004 alphard here. 

fitted a narrow c rail into into the roof channel. 9mm long 3.5 size self tap screws using 2.5 drill and sealant/glue. Need to be careful pre-bending it to stop creasing. rock solid and no wind noise.  Picture below mid fit. 
 

[Gavins]

thanks for reply thats a great idea, is the existing plastic rail screwed to the roof

 

[gavali]

Hi

No- the roof rail cover just pulls off. 
I took it through car wash to check - all ok 

Edited May 2, 2023 by gavali