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Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:57 pm
by top9303
I have seen numerous B190's with awnings and would love to add one to mine. When I contacted Airstream I was advised the awning for this year would have been a CareFree awning. However, they were unable to advise me if there is a support rail on my unit to support it. They also said they didn't have any of the schematics for how this section was built. My manual also doesn't address this issue. It is 16 years old and I am a bit concerned about adding it to this age fiberglass. Has anyone added an awning to this age vehicle and if so were there any fiberglass or support rail issues? Thanks!

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:25 pm
by jb1rd73
I would check Fiamma's website and contact them the directly. http://www.fiammausa.com/

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:28 pm
by top9303
Thank you for the link. I'll check it out.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:22 am
by top9303
Sadly Fiamma advised there are no brackets available any longer from Airstream due to the angle of the topper so they can't help with an awning. Has anyone used a bag type awning or is there some type of salvage place I might could find one from a wrecked one?

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:43 am
by jb1rd73
Try the ARB or Foxwing

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:57 am
by skater
The support rail would be obvious - it runs most of the length of the van and is on the fiberglass portion. Take a picture of the side and we can tell you. I would've thought Airstream installed them even if there was no awning installed, but perhaps not.

All of the awnings I'm familiar with require that rail - even the fabric awnings that rely on separate poles that are staked down slide into that awning rail.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 12:54 pm
by top9303
Took a photo, but unable to get it to the extremely small size required to attach:(

Will have my son try later. Thanks!

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 1:05 pm
by skater
top9303 wrote:Took a photo, but unable to get it to the extremely small size required to attach:(

Will have my son try later. Thanks!
You can upload it to the Gallery.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 1:29 pm
by top9303
Thanks for the info. The photo is the last one in the gallery.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:33 pm
by babsy
hi,
i just bought a 1998 B190 and mine too doesn't have an awning and i'd really like one. Did you ever find something that would work?
thanks
Babsy

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:35 am
by skater
First, I'm sorry, top9303 - I missed that you uploaded a picture. You don't have the rail, so I'm pretty sure you'd have to have one installed before you could put on an awning. I'd suggest talking to an RV dealer. I don't think it has to be an Airstream-specific dealer.

For reference, here's the picture:
Image

Looking again at the picture, I'm not sure where the rail would go - it would seem the windows or vent would be blocked. For reference, here's my '91 with the awning:

Image

This makes me wonder if ANY of the later models had an awning...I was sure we've seen some with them, but it's not clear to me how they would mount.
babsy wrote:hi,
i just bought a 1998 B190 and mine too doesn't have an awning and i'd really like one. Did you ever find something that would work?
thanks
Babsy
It's the same question as above - do you have the rail? See the pictures above.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 6:50 am
by top9303
Thanks for your input. I did try an RV dealer. The problem seems to be they moved the kitchen from the driver's side to the passenger side putting the vent in the way. Bummer:( I always loved an awning!

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:46 am
by Tucsonan
The awning brackets on my '94 look like they could be easily fabricated, ...if you could find a shorter awning that ended before the range vent.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 10:16 pm
by VT964x4
I have a '96 with the kitchen on the passenger side. It does have an awning. In the gallery under 'Northstar' you can see a photo of where it is attached. It is up pretty high, works well. Makes a really big difference.

Re: Want to add an awning to my 1998 B190

Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 11:35 am
by Tucsonan
VT964x4 wrote:I have a '96 with the kitchen on the passenger side. It does have an awning. In the gallery under 'Northstar' you can see a photo of where it is attached. It is up pretty high, works well. Makes a really big difference.
My awning lost its endcap too, any luck in finding a replacement?