Awning suction mount on Fiat Ducato?

[Lenny333]

Hi All,

As we’re going to be on a few hard standings on our next trip, I’m considering getting a couple of suction cups to secure the awning in order to save drilling pegs in to hard standings!

I don’t really want to drill in to the van to fix the Fiamma provided mounts so thought these looked good and have good reviews.

But… looking at our van, I don’t know where the front one would fit as the awning leg would drop directly over the thin panel where the fuel filler flap is and I don’t really fancy fixing it to the fuel flap there as it’s a flimsy plastic.

The rear looks to be ok as the suction cup would go on the grey decal to the right of the Oslo wording.

Has anyone used these type of fixings on a Ducato PVC and if so, where did you fix the front one?

Thanks in antici……… pation for any help.

 

[PeteandCher]

I bought a set similar, think they were a bit cheaper though. Not used them in anger, but have tested them.
I wouldn't fit them to a decal (used to be in the vinyl business) but instead lower down at the rear, on the panel just above the black plastic.
Then you got me wondering where I fitted the front one, had to go out and look and Doh! I've got a German van so no fuel filler on the RHS so that is where it went. I'm only planning on using it for the odd occasion where you want the awning out 2 ft if it is raining.
Not sure that you could use it successfully on a van with the door and awning on the LHS, certainly wouldn't want it on the plastic filler cap.

 

[Jabstatt]

I fitted small eyes on the scuttle to take the guys. If it’s cinched down less likely to take off in a gust of wind.

Tony

 

[Brize]

I have not used one of these, but I would advise caution.

I have used suction pads, similar in size and shape to those you are showing, for a swing clothes line and an airer, but both fell down. If your awning - fully deployed - fell down because of suction failure it could potentially damage (fatally) the awning. If one side falls down you could 'banana' the awning and its casing.

We 'banana'd' an awning once in Portugal when one of the vertical legs (on the ground) moved and collapsed in the night. My fault entirely, strong winds were forecast and it wasn't tied down enough - I should have put is away really. However, my point is that our awning was twisted as a result and no end of mechanics could put it right. Cost: new awning.

This is exactly what could happen if one of your suction pads fails - even in daylight and you are sitting under it sipping beer. It's sudden!

 

[Guigsy]

Hi All,

As we’re going to be on a few hard standings on our next trip, I’m considering getting a couple of suction cups to secure the awning in order to save drilling pegs in to hard standings!

I don’t really want to drill in to the van to fix the Fiamma provided mounts so thought these looked good and have good reviews.

But… looking at our van, I don’t know where the front one would fit as the awning leg would drop directly over the thin panel where the fuel filler flap is and I don’t really fancy fixing it to the fuel flap there as it’s a flimsy plastic.

The rear looks to be ok as the suction cup would go on the grey decal to the right of the Oslo wording.

Has anyone used these type of fixings on a Ducato PVC and if so, where did you fix the front one?

Thanks in antici……… pation for any help.



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I got that exact model from Amazon a couple of years ago. They work pretty well against the body of my coach build. I had some reasonable gusts and I wasn't worried about them coming loose.

I know there are cheaper products available. Some of which are probably identical. But as I was risking serious damage to the van if they failed, I wanted to buy a set that had good reviews. Note that some of the cheaper products have a smaller suction cup. Square law means even 2cm smaller will require 30% more pressure.

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[Drabbers]

I bought a set from Amazon last year. Not sure if they are the same. As long as i clean the side of the van before fitting they make a very strong seal.
On the sat I have you can see if the suction has leaked as a red line appears in the plunger.
Use them all the time

 

[L' Hobo]

When I used to help out my friends at Steam Rallies , for the stands we just to used a couple or five, (depending on wind strength) 5gall water containers and secured the ratchet straps to their handles and they hung down beside the poles.
(I still carry one of my long ratchet straps from my Trucking days for securing my awning.)
Fill them up when we got there and emptied them after the shows for lighter transportation.

 

[Gellyneck]

When I used to help out my friends at Steam Rallies , for the stands we just to used a couple or five, (depending on wind strength) 5gall water containers and secured the ratchet straps to their handles and they hung down beside the poles.
(I still carry one of my long ratchet straps from my Trucking days for securing my awning.)
Fill them up when we got there and emptied them after the shows for lighter transportation.

Probably better with a handled collapsible bag type container given space taken up by the empty gallon containers?