Tips for attaching an awning with gull wing aluminium canopy

Submitted: Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 15:15

ThreadID: 149900 Views:2403 Replies:10 FollowUps:5

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Member - Keith B (QLD)

How do I attach an awning with an aluminium canopy. The awning was previously attached to a troop carrier roof rack.
Problem is that canopy has to rise then fall to get over open gull wing when that door is opened.

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Reply By: Member - William B - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 16:37

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 16:37

Hi Keith,
Can you put roof racks on the canopy and attach the awning to those?
William

Always planning the next trip. VKS-737 mobile 1619

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AnswerID: 647584

Reply By: Matthew G3 - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 17:31

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 17:31

Hi Keith
I moved my gas struts on mine to lower the gull wing door from opening so high.

Matt

AnswerID: 647585

Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 18:17

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 18:17

To stop strutts from fully opening an 8g. wire with a hook on both ends, to stop them closing electrical conduit with a slot cut to clip on to the shaft. I hang my shower tent to the underside of the gull wing.

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FollowupID: 928663

Reply By: Member - nick boab - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 19:10

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 19:10

Keith : A picture of your setup would be helpful to get an idea of what we're looking at

You could have a look on YouTube for ideas
I.e awnings with Gull wing
Have a look at tough touring , he dose a lot of that stuff.

Tough touring

Cheers Nick

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AnswerID: 647586

Follow Up By: RMD - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 19:22

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 19:22

Keith.
I cannot understand how the canopy rises and drops down. I agree with Nick B as to seeing a drawing or picture to explain. Without it replies are a bit sus.

FollowupID: 928665

Reply By: Member - silkwood - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 19:12

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 19:12

Mine (Darche 180) is simply bolted to the roof (the standard Darche brackets are fairly heavy duty) high enough to clear the door and high enough to live under. Mind you, now that I have remove the RTT it looks a little naff...

Cheers,
Mark

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AnswerID: 647587

Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 20:30

Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 20:30

I’ve got an awning on each side, Keith, and mounted the brackets to the roof. Need some good sealant when mounting the brackets.

IF I remember tomorrow, I’ll take a couple of photos so you can see if it will suit your canopy.

Mounting Brackets-Darche Awning

Only one bolt needed through the roof, as outer bolt mounts into a keyway in the outer extrusion.

Bob.

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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AnswerID: 647589

Reply By: Batt's - Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 00:49

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 00:49

Should be able to buy brackets to suit which means drilling into the canopy roof and making the holes waterproof.
My canopy has the aluminium ladder racks welded to the roof which was an option when I bought it 10yrs ago and are very handy. I attached the awning to that, it's handy for carrying timber etc from the hardware store for example and they sit higher than my fixed solar panels so keeps any loads off them. If I didn't have the ladder racks I would have to muck around using the box trailer more. Plus if you want another awning on the other side it's an easy fit or tie on a rope for a clothes line to a tree they are solid and have many uses.

AnswerID: 647590

Reply By: Garry L - Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 09:43

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 09:43

Most gull wing doors open 300mm to 400mm higher than the canopy roof so this is Keith's issue I believe.

Pic for example

Gull wing

AnswerID: 647594

Follow Up By: Batt's - Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 15:51

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 15:51

Shorter struts can easily fix that or moving there position there are options as long as it's still higher than your head. I never had to change mine they were good from the factory.

FollowupID: 928673

Reply By: Member - Keith B (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 11:17

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 11:17

gull doors when open push the awning up, Should I just abandon the side poles?

Thanks to all that have contributed.

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AnswerID: 647595

Follow Up By: Garry L - Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 12:58

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 12:58

Keith

If that's the case you could abandon the side poles as long as you make something to lock the doors in the up position when opened then you could just peg and rope the awning down from the corners.

FollowupID: 928671

Follow Up By: Batt's - Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 15:39

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 15:39

My door opens up around 250mm higher than the canopy roof and only around 100mm higher than where the awning is attached. I set the awning up how it should be and never had any problems. My awning is 2mts wide by 3mtr long, I also have the tent that goes with it that I have used a few times no worries.

FollowupID: 928672

Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Sunday, Mar 16, 2025 at 21:21

Sunday, Mar 16, 2025 at 21:21

On our canopy (Ex Telstra) I glued a length of aluminium angle along the roof & attached sailtrack to it. The awning which fitted into the sail track was tensioned very nicely by the open canopy door.