Recently go one of these (see Hob's picture) but haven't fitted it yet. Just wondering if the strip should go right round the corner or stop just before the outlet on the left. If not where does the water go? Also do you fit it on and leave it there or attach it and remove it with the awning. Apologies for not understanding if the answer is simple!

As others have stated, the prime purpose of the 'white strip' is to increase the depth of the rain gutter and was supplied as an optional extra upon placing the order for our Walker Touring Plus awning a couple of years back. This awning has an additional length of material sewn onto it which then hooks over the 'white strip' with the result that a very deep rain channel is created. The attached image illustrates this better than words can.

As to the length of this strip and it's positioning - I can only answer as it applies to our awning and strip which was supplied for the Eriba Touring 430. On our van, when the 'white strip' is fitted centrally on the rain gutter it comes up short of the small spouts (front and back) by about 1cm. At the first fitting it was a case of try it and see, but having once established a central point I placed a small indelible mark on the rail for that I had a reference point for future fittings.

If you look closely at the image in post #5 by hob you will see that in end effect it doesn't really matter whether the 'white strip' extends around the corner past the small spout or stops short of it as is the case with our van. The 'white strip' clips on the top of the gutter and in no way blocks or prevents rain water exiting the spouts hence my view that the length really doesn't matter on the proviso that it's a suitable length for the awning in question.

Under no circumstances whatsoever would I recommend leaving the strip attached i.e. when travelling. This strip simply clips on and whilst a very snug fit it is not permanently fixed e.g. bolted on and could, therefore, in theory fly off at any time during travelling. When not in use I bring both ends together (the strip is pliable enough to bend unless extremely cold) and secure them with tape before stowing the rail in the under bed locker.

White strip.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Addressing the problem of rain running down the side of the van (see post #9 by Aaron Calder) I myself have never been quite able to get a handle on this problem having experienced it for myself. I am, however, determined to get to the bottom of it even if it takes a lifetime LOL.

I have looked at this problem from all angles and taken many photographs but am still not convinced that there is a simple and single answer to cure the problem. Having spoken at length to Walker recently which resulted in them sending me a can of sealant with which to spray the awning stitching in the area where it slips over the 'white strip', I am now convinced that if the water ingress problem lay with the awning in the past this has now been cured. I proved this by fitting part of the awning over the rail following which I gently poured successive watering cans full into the channel and the underneath of the awning remained dry. As a result I am now convinced that the problem lies with the caravan awning rail itself.

It could be that if the manufacturers have used steel screws to secure the aluminium rail to the van that these screws have rusted and no longer provide a watertight and secure fitting of the rail. In conjunction with that there is always the possibility that the mastic used has not been applied properly and/or not enough mastic used also allowing water to creep behind the rail. I really have no idea although having now established that the awning is 100% tight I am now awaiting a reply from Hymers CEO to whom I wrote yesterday requesting his authorisation to have the rail completely removed and refitted under guarantee (as the problem was first reported during this period) when the van goes in for it's watertight integrity test towards the end of the year.

Thank you very much indeed for your very full reply and photo. Much appreciated!!

Eriba strip fitted successfully today! So thanks to all who gave advice. The photos from Deeps and Hob were specially useful. We did need to slide a screwdriver along the channel in the plastic strip to open it out a bit. And it was a bit of a job getting it off again. But I think all will get easier with use and practice. It actually didn't go round the corners but had been supplied as the right length for a Troll so we rounded up the sharp edges at each end into neat curves. All packed away now until our next trip when we will not be hoping for rain but if it does we can be prepared!

Where do you go to get one of these strips? I have never heard of them before.So who supplies them?

Quote: Magpie wrote in post #19

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We did need to slide a screwdriver along the channel in the plastic strip to open it out a bit. And it was a bit of a job getting it off again. But I think all will get easier with use and practice.

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I bought mine as a single item from Bowen's awnings. The guy there was very helpful.

Quote: Deeps wrote in post #21

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[quote="Magpie"|p34115]We did need to slide a screwdriver along the channel in the plastic strip to open it out a bit. And it was a bit of a job getting it off again. But I think all will get easier with use and practice.

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Quote: Magpie wrote in post #23

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It was advertised with the Unico Bologna and Verona awnings which I can't find on their website now, but that doesn't mean they are not there!

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