Jeff:

I was actually looking for a different design altogether rather than a fix for the rubber. Along those same lines, a person could use heat shrink tubing. There is also paint on electrical tape. I did a little bit of searching and found this simple clamp, although I'm not sure it would be strong enough. From the look of the design it might slip right over the gutter rail.
See: http://www.dripirrigation.com/drip_irrigation_parts/117

I'm sure there must be other ideas, but this is kind of what I'm after.

Troy
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: J Stewart
  To: Troy
  Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2011 2:55 AM
  Subject: Re: Bus Depot Awning clamp

  When I had one of those awnings I dipped the clamp ends in liquid rubber, the stuff you get at any hardware store for tool handles, and that worked pretty well.    Jeff

  Jeff Stewart

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    I bought a bus depot awning a while back, and just had an opportunity to set it up tonight again after a long period of non use.   I didn't find it particularly difficult to assemble despite the lag in time.  I just leave all the Velcro enclosures closed and slide in the poles.  I was able to assemble it in under 5 minutes if that.  What I do not like is these silly little clamps they supply.  Seems like something that a person would put together out of pieces lying around their garage, instead of a well engineered piece of equipment.  Has anyone devised an alternative to these clamps?  It's really awkward trying to hold these clamps in place, line up the rubber piece, while the awning is angled towards the ground.

    Troy