Hail Cover

[Marty]

Hi Everyone, As we have had 2 caravans (including current one) damaged by hail I am thinking of making some hail covers for the front and back, the flat section of the roof I think is an ABS plastic. I plan to fix sail track to each end on the ABS using sikaflex, the covers will be made by a local canvas guy and I will glue yoga mats or similar to the under side. The bottom ends will have eyelets so I can tie them down. The covers will be removed when travelling, will the sikaflex be sufficient to hold the sail tracksuit in place without the covers or will I need other fixings ? Thanks in advance and would like to wish you all a merry xmas and happy travels in the new year. Cheers Marty

[Lance]

Gooday Marty.
I'd be confident using Sikalfex on that job, probably the 11fc version.
I'd use some thinish spacers to lift the track off the van surface so you can leave a Sika bead of 3-4mm thickness.

There will be other suggestions so read all before attacking the job.

[Marty]

Hi Lance, I have used 11fc to good effect before, using the spacers is a great idea thanks, cheers Marty

[T1 Terry]

To add to Lance's recommendation, use bits of 3mm ally off cut to act as spacers and pull them out before the Sika 11FC or Selleys Armourflex has cured, but don't fill in these open spaces. These will allow water to equalise or flow out between each side of the sailtrack.

Not too sure about the yoga mats in regards to making the van surface when the cover flaps in the wind but that insulation with bubble wrap in it would probably have a similar problem. A sheet or sheets of Lexan Thermoclear would do the job but it would be a challenge getting them on/off in the wind.

T1 Terry

[Marty]

Hi Terry, I appreciate the advice, the covers will be 2.4m wide by approximately 2.5m long, should be a lot easier to fit than a full hail cover I had for the previous caravan. I will go to Clark Rubber and see what they have available for the backing. How many spaces do you think I would need for the above width? Thanks again, Cheers Marty

[T1 Terry]

Hi Terry, I appreciate the advice, the covers will be 2.4m wide by approximately 2.5m long, should be a lot easier to fit than a full hail cover I had for the previous caravan. I will go to Clark Rubber and see what they have available for the backing. How many spaces do you think I would need for the above width? Thanks again, Cheers Marty

Look for the spots where the sail track would sit clear of the roof anyway and put them there, otherwise 3 would probably be enough so roughly each 600mm?

[Marty]

Thanks Terry, Marty