5 replies to this topic

[M1010 Mike]

Hi all,

 

It looks like I am purchasing a 2013 Northstar TC800 popup camper.  I have a Fiamma F45S 8.8' awning from another project and would like to mount it to the TC800.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to mount it to this camper (either side is fine)?

 

Thanks

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Mike, I suspect either side would be fine, but I prefer the awning on the passenger side.  I don’t have a recommendation on how to mount it, other than ensuring it is secure to inner structure. I’ve seen awnings attached by screws, caught by wind and ripped out of composite siding.  In addition to ruining the awning, the siding was damaged.

[M1010 Mike]

That's the info I am looking for, as I don't know how the structure is built on the TC800.  Normally pass. side is my preferred side but open to either side, if driver side was the better mounting area.

[Cpt Davenport]

It would be nice to know where the structural members are under the siding in the Northstar. FWCs have a wide channel that runs around the top. I was able to rivet on brackets to hold my awning. Using through bolts would have created an issue for the king bed slider. Hopefully someone chimes in with a Northstar/Fiamma combo mounting experience. I don't think the beds slide in those campers so a through bolt with good interior backing is a good option.

[ckent323]

Does the Northstar have lift plates (or equivalent) for removing and installing the camper? 

If so perhaps you could attach shallow strut channel (unistrut or similar) vertically from the lift brackets and then a piece horizontally at the height you want to attach the awning. That would leave a gap at the camper but there are products such as sail track and a short flap that could be installed to cover the gap.

This approach would preclude the need to drill into the camper walls.

[M1010 Mike]

Does the Northstar have lift plates (or equivalent) for removing and installing the camper? 

If so perhaps you could attach shallow strut channel (unistrut or similar) vertically from the lift brackets and then a piece horizontally at the height you want to attach the awning. That would leave a gap at the camper but there are products such as sail track and a short flap that could be installed to cover the gap.

This approach would preclude the need to drill into the camper walls.

That's an interesting idea.  They have lift plates for the jacks but not 100% sure how it all mounts together.  I don't have the camper yet but the did mount differently than my FWC we had previously.  Might be a possible method.  Thanks!