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Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:14 am
by Calum
Well I never! I'm half surprised, half not - mainly surprised as it's taken me this long to actually realise there was a connection.

Along with John Stokes and probably others I use a Caranex with the Carawagon (although I do need to modify it slightly to fit better) and do think they look 'right' against a series vehicle. Whilst on eBay I noticed a bright blue Caranex attached to an old Volvo estate for the photos which caught my eye. Looking at the photos I noticed the label on the tent carried the usual red Caranex logo but also the Carawagon name and address. Unfortunately it had already sold but a blue Caranex with Carawagon branding would be spot on! (Although it would need modifying to fit the higher vehicle)

A very quick google shows that the Caranex name, brand etc was trademarked by Carawagon International in the mid-late 70s. Since the original Caranex tents seem to be the H1 models to suit lower vehicles, I am assuming they started making them to fit their Carawagon 'Couchette' conversions on the Renault 4.

I am tempted to see how well a Caranex would fit on the telescopic poles fitted to many 109" Carawagons - I would guess pretty well. Robin, I may have to bother you at the Pit so we can try my Caranex on a set of your awning poles!

Interestingly enough, Caranex still use a firm called CIT Ltd. in Walton on Thames to carry out any repair/alteration work to their tents - I wouldn't be surprised of this is the same firm that made them originally for Searle/Carawagon International

Link to eBay item:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3793424138

Link to trademark info:
https://trademark.trademarkia.com/caranex-73162652.html

:cheers:

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:31 am
by Jonny72
Calum, I think the Caranex might fit well onto the telescopic poles. Depending on whether the Caranex is H4 or H4TL, the poles would be extracted to different lengths to ensure a good fit.

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:56 am
by RMS
Jonny72 wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:31 am Calum, I think the Caranex might fit well onto the telescopic poles. Depending on whether the Caranex is H4 or H4TL, the poles would be extracted to different lengths to ensure a good fit.
The centre pole of the telescopic awning frame was originally a fixed length and would have been supplied to suit the original awning.

However, it could be replaced with a shorter/longer pole to suit whatever awning you want to use :cheers:

With the new frames I supply, I make the centre pole the maximum usable length, around 6', as most folk use them to throw a tarp over, but I can also supply an adjustable centre pole if required :tiphat:

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 5:28 pm
by woollen797
Adjustable centre pole?

Now I'm interested, how much for one please Robin

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:10 pm
by RMS
woollen797 wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2019 5:28 pm Adjustable centre pole?

Now I'm interested, how much for one please Robin
I'll check to see if I've still got one in 'stock' tomorrow Simon, and PM you.

Cheers,
Robin.

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:21 pm
by RMS
Well, prompted by this thread, and the fact that my original Carawagon awning is away being copied, I spotted a Caranex on FB marketplace, and bought it :gold:

I'll try it out on one of my awning frames when it arrives and let you know how it fits, hopefully with pics.

Just a shame it's not blue :shrug:

Cheers,
Robin.

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 7:29 pm
by gossamer
Hi chaps.

I fear I am the naughty chap with Robin's awning.

Yes an adjustable centre pole would be fab and groovy, it would be easier to store in the vehicle I guess.

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 8:41 am
by RMS
No problem Matt - the Carawagon which is fitted with the channels/fittings for that awning is still in the restoration phase.
I could fit it to another Carawagon, but that means getting and fitting the channels etc. so I probably won't bother ....yet :tiphat:

Right - Caranex on Carawagon pull-out awning frame....... Close, but no cigar :embarassed:

The Caranex is wider, at the top, than the Carawagon awning frame, and taller, so needs the two Caranex legs and the one roof bar to make it 'hang' properly.

Because those are all the poles needed anyway for the Caranex, the Carawagon awning frame is of no real use, unless you want a floppy sack :aaagh:

Here it is, fitted on to the awning rail:

Image
(poor picture - sorry!)

and here with the three Caranex poles fitted:
Image

Inside:
Image
You can see the Carawagon frame is not doing anything useful!

You can see how much taller the Caranex is, compared to the Carawagon frame - though that Carawagon is on tired springs.
It might fit better on Patrick's, with parabolics as that sits at least 6-8" taller.

One advantage, however, was that it was very easy to erect using the Carawagon frame - just feed it over the frame from the end, peg it out and then open the door to fit the other poles.

Hope that helps,
Robin.

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 2:57 pm
by Calum
Slow reply from me...

That shows it very well Robin, and thanks for taking the time to check it out! I am assuming that is an H4 so maybe a lower model might be a better fit on the slide out frame (though might well suffer from the same width issues).

I suppose I'll stick to my home made awning rail in that case.

Out of interest what is the gutter height on your Carawagon at the rear? Just so I can compare it with mine.

:cheers:

Re: Caranex/Carawagon

Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 6:09 pm
by RMS
Hi Calum,

Yes, I think it's the H4 version.

Just measured mine, with empty water containers and no canned food on board, at 1.84m from the gutter above the rear door to the floor.

I expect it will be at least 3-5cm lower when packed for expedition - really must sort out some new/better rear springs, but these do give a very nice ride :tiphat:

Cheers,
Robin.