Self-repair of a vehicle is the reality of our lives, which often give good results in terms of economy and quality. For example, installing an awning on the Gazelle will not take much time for a person who has a minimal understanding of the construction of a light truck. You can order this type of repair in specialized centers, but it will cost an order of magnitude more expensive.
Appointment
The main purpose of this device is to protect the cargo from deformation and external climatic effects.
Installation of an awning on the Gazelle implies a number of characteristics that it should possess, namely:
- waterproofing should help protect against moisture and precipitation from entering the luggage compartment;
- strength and elasticity, providing for the absence of damage during hail or accidental contact with tree branches;
- resistance to air currents;
- adaptability to high or low temperature conditions while maintaining all the basic properties.
Work on the manufacture and installation of awnings is available in many specialized companies, however, to perform this process yourself is much cheaper and not very difficult.
Do-it-yourself installation of an awning on the Gazelle: where to start?
First you need to buy a suitable fabric. It is important that it is flexible and durable. As a rule, owners choose a classic tarpaulin or PVC. The latter option is not worse than the first one, it has a number of advantages provided that it is properly used and meets standard requirements.
A good model for arranging a truck will be tarapaulin. This material is quite competitive, but it does not respond well to stretching. An analogue of the considered method will be a special fabric with a rubberized base. It is more suitable for equipping greenhouses and other agricultural complexes, but also suitable as an inexpensive awning.
Organization of work
Installing an awning on the Gazelle on your own will require compliance with certain rules. Firstly, you need to measure the dimensions of the frame, which is supposed to be tight. Secondly, accurate adjustment of the material area and the presence of related components (glue, fixatives, glazing beads, etc.) will not hurt.
If you just need to repair an existing canvas, then you can buy rags from high-quality fabric, sew or glue them. In the case of the installation of the entire tent, it will be necessary to carry out a drawing, pattern and account for all sizes of the processed body. To simplify production on your own, you can find ready-made schemes, according to which it is quite possible to make such an operation as installing an awning on the Gazelle Business and other modifications.
User Instructions: First Steps
Consider a real example of decoration proposed by motorists. To install the awning, you will need to perform the following operations:
- You should choose the material (tarpaulin, PVC or tarapaulin). The first two components are about the same in price and quality. The latter is cheaper, in fact it is a rubberized fabric with built-in eyelets (like bags in which sugar is sold).
- We take as a basis the design of the eurotent, when there is the possibility of opening not only up, but also behind and from the sides.
- We choose the most economical option, we take six strips of tarapaulin measuring 2 * 3 meters, three dozen eyelets and metal glazing beads (four units of a length of three meters).
- Also required fasteners (bolts, washers, nuts, screws).
Installation of the tent on the Gazelle begins with the marking of the new and dismantling of the old structure.
The bulk of the work
Subsequent manipulations:
- A regular tent is dismantled along with the upper frame.
- The height of the arc compartment and fasteners on board is measured.
- For better fixation of the new canvas, you can use the extension beam, which is screwed to the body with a pair of bolts.
- In a similar way, the brackets are fixed at a distance of 13-15 centimeters over the awning area, taking into account the contact of arcs and brackets.
After completing these manipulations, you can begin to fasten the new foundation.
The final stage
To connect the grommets with each other and use the main platform for fastening the elements, two boards are taken in which five holes are drilled for bolts of the M8 brand. They connect the arcs of the side. Screws are also inserted into the remaining holes.
Then proceed to install the canopies. The middle of the canvas is measured, which bends around the supporting arc. The installation of the tent on the Gazelle Next takes place by putting on the wall behind the cab, drilling an additional hole through which the control clip of the canvas is carried out.
After the tent has circled the arc, it becomes available for final fixation. The edges are bolted to adjust the required tension. If necessary, grommets are added, followed by fixing with screws to wooden logs. The upper element is mounted in the same way, using bolts and adjusting the web tension.
Repairs
Sometimes the installation of an awning on the "Gazelle-3302" from scratch is optional. It is enough just to repair the old canvas. This will require:
- Remove damaged areas of the tent.
- Connect the elements by adding new material by gluing or stitching.
- Pre-treated surfaces must be sanded and degreased.
- After drying, it is necessary to tighten the canvas and check its tension.
- Each problem area is sized and smoothed until the awning becomes marketable.
In conclusion
New car tents are far from a cheap pleasure. Therefore, repair and installation of an awning on the Gazelle with your own hands is the optimal solution for many motorists. In addition to the fact that such an operation is financially profitable, it will take less time than when contacting specialists. For some carriers, time is a decisive factor. I would like to believe that the above recommendations will help to cope with this task without any problems.