Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info
| [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180589] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 01:13  |
Jim Decheine
Messages: 27
Registered: July 2007
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I picked up an Omnistor awning from a fellow GMCer about a year ago.
I just got it installed on my Painted Desert that I'm restoring.
There were 4 pipes that came with it, 2 pcs. 45" long with a 3/4" ID & 2 pcs. 55" long that fit inside the 3/4" ID pipes.
The awning already has support arms built into it.
I called the person I bought it from as he had it on his GMC at one time, & he can't remember what they are used for.
Can anyone out there tell me anything about these & what they are used for.
Thank you in advance.
JIm
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180594 is a reply to message #180589] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 05:51  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Jim,
I'm the one who started the whole Omnistor thing so I also have some of
those should-be spring-loaded "rafters". They're supposed to go between
the extended "box" and sockets which should be mounted on the awning rail
where the "box" just came from.
Since those straight rafters don't do much to prevent water from
accumulating on the fabric, I quickly replaced them with a pair of the
aluminum arches sold at Camping World. Those come with a pin sticking out
of each end, surrounded with a rubber pad. I drilled holes in the inside
of the "box" to accept the pin on one end, then cut the pin off of the
other end to allow the rubber to rest against the rail on the coach.
They're manually adjustable with 2 locking knobs each. They work very
well, but they DO permanently stretch the fabric so that it bunches up and
becomes wrinkled while stowed.
HTH,
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 2:13 AM, Jim Decheine <jadecheine@frontiernet.net>wrote:
> I picked up an Omnistor awning from a fellow GMCer about a year ago.
> I just got it installed on my Painted Desert that I'm restoring.
> There were 4 pipes that came with it, 2 pcs. 45" long with a 3/4" ID & 2
> pcs. 55" long that fit inside the 3/4" ID pipes.
> The awning already has support arms built into it.
> I called the person I bought it from as he had it on his GMC at one time,
> & he can't remember what they are used for.
> Can anyone out there tell me anything about these & what they are used for.
> Thank you in advance.
> JIm
> JADE
> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
> Ajo, AZ
> KC7QGC
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180605 is a reply to message #180589] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 07:40 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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| Jim Decheine wrote on Fri, 17 August 2012 02:13 |
I picked up an Omnistor awning from a fellow GMCer about a year ago.
I just got it installed on my Painted Desert that I'm restoring.
There were 4 pipes that came with it, 2 pcs. 45" long with a 3/4" ID & 2 pcs. 55" long that fit inside the 3/4" ID pipes.
The awning already has support arms built into it.
I called the person I bought it from as he had it on his GMC at one time, & he can't remember what they are used for.
Can anyone out there tell me anything about these & what they are used for.
Thank you in advance.
JIm
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
_______________________________________________
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Jim,
How is the work coming on the 26 ft. Are you getting close? Can't wait to see it. If it looks as good as your other one, I will probably throw rocks at my coach.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180655 is a reply to message #180605] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 14:19 |
jade
Messages: 163
Registered: August 2009
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Gene;
The inside is a shell yet until it gets painted.
Still have some work to do on the outside before taking it to coop 1st week
in Sept. for paint job & new dash & anything else Jim thinks of.
Will keep you posted.
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Dotson" <shawnee@charter.net>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2012 5:40 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info
>
>
> Jim Decheine wrote on Fri, 17 August 2012 02:13
>> I picked up an Omnistor awning from a fellow GMCer about a year ago.
>> I just got it installed on my Painted Desert that I'm restoring.
>> There were 4 pipes that came with it, 2 pcs. 45" long with a 3/4" ID & 2
>> pcs. 55" long that fit inside the 3/4" ID pipes.
>> The awning already has support arms built into it.
>> I called the person I bought it from as he had it on his GMC at one time,
>> & he can't remember what they are used for.
>> Can anyone out there tell me anything about these & what they are used
>> for.
>> Thank you in advance.
>> JIm
>> JADE
>> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
>> Ajo, AZ
>> KC7QGC
>> _______________________________________________
>
>
> Jim,
>
> How is the work coming on the 26 ft. Are you getting close? Can't wait
> to see it. If it looks as good as your other one, I will probably throw
> rocks at my coach.
> --
> Gene Dotson
> 74 Canyonlands
> www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180656 is a reply to message #180594] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 14:24 |
jade
Messages: 163
Registered: August 2009
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Ken;
Thanks for the info.
I'll try it without them for awhile as I don't want to stretch the fabric.
Maybe lower one side when it rains.
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Henderson" <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2012 3:51 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info
> Jim,
>
> I'm the one who started the whole Omnistor thing so I also have some of
> those should-be spring-loaded "rafters". They're supposed to go between
> the extended "box" and sockets which should be mounted on the awning rail
> where the "box" just came from.
>
> Since those straight rafters don't do much to prevent water from
> accumulating on the fabric, I quickly replaced them with a pair of the
> aluminum arches sold at Camping World. Those come with a pin sticking out
> of each end, surrounded with a rubber pad. I drilled holes in the inside
> of the "box" to accept the pin on one end, then cut the pin off of the
> other end to allow the rubber to rest against the rail on the coach.
> They're manually adjustable with 2 locking knobs each. They work very
> well, but they DO permanently stretch the fabric so that it bunches up and
> becomes wrinkled while stowed.
>
> HTH,
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 2:13 AM, Jim Decheine
> <jadecheine@frontiernet.net>wrote:
>
>> I picked up an Omnistor awning from a fellow GMCer about a year ago.
>> I just got it installed on my Painted Desert that I'm restoring.
>> There were 4 pipes that came with it, 2 pcs. 45" long with a 3/4" ID & 2
>> pcs. 55" long that fit inside the 3/4" ID pipes.
>> The awning already has support arms built into it.
>> I called the person I bought it from as he had it on his GMC at one time,
>> & he can't remember what they are used for.
>> Can anyone out there tell me anything about these & what they are used
>> for.
>> Thank you in advance.
>> JIm
>> JADE
>> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
>> Ajo, AZ
>> KC7QGC
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180673 is a reply to message #180656] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 18:42 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| jade wrote on Fri, 17 August 2012 12:24 |
Ken;
Thanks for the info.
I'll try it without them for awhile as I don't want to stretch the fabric.
Maybe lower one side when it rains.
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Henderson" <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2012 3:51 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info
> Jim,
>
> I'm the one who started the whole Omnistor thing so I also have some of
> those should-be spring-loaded "rafters". They're supposed to go between
> the extended "box" and sockets which should be mounted on the awning rail
> where the "box" just came from.
>
> Since those straight rafters don't do much to prevent water from
> accumulating on the fabric, I quickly replaced them with a pair of the
> aluminum arches sold at Camping World. Those come with a pin sticking out
> of each end, surrounded with a rubber pad. I drilled holes in the inside
> of the "box" to accept the pin on one end, then cut the pin off of the
> other end to allow the rubber to rest against the rail on the coach.
> They're manually adjustable with 2 locking knobs each. They work very
> well, but they DO permanently stretch the fabric so that it bunches up and
> becomes wrinkled while stowed.
>
> HTH,
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 2:13 AM, Jim Decheine
> <jadecheine@frontiernet.net>wrote:
>
>> I picked up an Omnistor awning from a fellow GMCer about a year ago.
>> I just got it installed on my Painted Desert that I'm restoring.
>> There were 4 pipes that came with it, 2 pcs. 45" long with a 3/4" ID & 2
>> pcs. 55" long that fit inside the 3/4" ID pipes.
>> The awning already has support arms built into it.
>> I called the person I bought it from as he had it on his GMC at one time,
>> & he can't remember what they are used for.
>> Can anyone out there tell me anything about these & what they are used
>> for.
>> Thank you in advance.
>> JIm
>> JADE
>> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
>> Ajo, AZ
>> KC7QGC
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Jim,
I have one of those "rafters" that came with my Omnistor equipped coach. I didn't know what it was for and put it in my garage. I finally took a second look at the thing and realized what it was for. I have taken to using it when I have the awning out. I usually put it in the center, above the door. I think Ken was saying that the 'arches' he uses tend to stretch the fabric. I can't see any way that these 'rafters' would do that.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180678 is a reply to message #180673] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 19:09 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Sorry, but Camping World no longer lists the curved rafters I have. And
apparently neither does anyone else in the US. AU & NZ have some, & here's
one from Italy (available in US):
http://www.fiammausa.com/products/awnings.asp?fam=A3&page=5
Not quite the same as what I have, but similar. Mine is a curved extrusion
with two smaller extrusions which fit inside that one; each of the smaller
has a locking knob.
I also found a listing for one for Omnistor, but it doesn't look very
effective, IMHO.
Google "curved awning rafter".
Oh yeah: I didn't find it very effective to lower a corner. Even with the
23', which has the door right at one end of the awning, the rear corner had
to be lowered much too far to eliminate the pocket. Maybe raising one end
and lowering the other on a 26' will work, but I'm not optimistic.
>
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 7:42 PM, Carl Stouffer <carljr3b@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I have one of those "rafters" that came with my Omnistor equipped coach.
> I didn't know what it was for and put it in my garage. I finally took a
> second look at the thing and realized what it was for. I have taken to
> using it when I have the awning out. I usually put it in the center, above
> the door. I think Ken was saying that the 'arches' he uses tend to stretch
> the fabric. I can't see any way that these 'rafters' would do that.
> --
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Omnistor Awning Info [message #180699 is a reply to message #180684] |
Fri, 17 August 2012 21:18 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Sure, if you can find nesting round or rectangular tubes which can be bent
into an arch. The major load is longitudinal compression and the tension
of the awing fabric maintains that and the arch.
With nested tubes, put a crutch tip on each end to protect stuff. With the
awning extended, put the telescoping device in place between the awning
rail and the extended box. Extend the rafter to set the desired tension
and mark that location. Drill a hole through both tubes to accept a
locking pin to maintain that setting. Probably need some more holes in the
inner tube for future adjustments. My rafters came with adhesive Velcro
patches to put on the rafters and the awning fabric to keep the rafters
from rocking over sideways. With the rafters 2" wide, I saw no need for
that and have never used it. With round rafters or narrower ones, it might
be necessary.
Oh yeah: Don't strain to install the rafter like the model on the Fiamma
site: Just lower the outer edge of the awning. And over-extend the awning
a little until the rafters are in place and the elevation set, then roll
the awning in slightly to set the desired tension in the fabric.
I can't find photos of the extended awning & the coach is 2' in the air
with the tanks about to come out. I can make photos some time next week if
it will help. Or just photograph the rafters unmounted.
JWID,
Ken H.
On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 9:10 PM, A. wrote:
> ...
> > Not quite the same as what I have, but similar. Mine is a curved
> extrusion with two smaller extrusions which fit inside that one; each of
> the smaller has a locking knob.
> I wonder if one could cobble something together out of PVC pipe and stuff.
> --
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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