We have a 12 month old Knaus motorhome ( love it ) but the awning that is fitted to it is useless. Very flimsy and weak. Made by Prostor. Finally got caught by a gust of wind that wrapped it over the roof. Completely wrecked it. Any ideas of a better sort to replace it. Dave
D and D said
09:58 PM Jan 12, 2016
We have an Aussie Traveler fitted to our van and it's great. Solid, sturdy and easy to use - would have been easier if the van supplier had explained how to set the damn thing up properly but other than that it works great.
Dave
Brenda and Alan said
11:25 PM Jan 12, 2016
dave48 if your original is a motorized or European awning (sissor type) I would check the requirements for mounting of chosen replacement. Awnings such a Aussie Traveler and Carefree require reinforced top & bottom mounting positions and your motor home may not be suitable.
Alan
Geeco said
05:39 PM Jan 13, 2016
Hi Dave, So sorry to read of your awning doing a back flip. My Auto-trail also had a sissor type awning made by Thule Omnistor. During the first two trips from new it frightened me every time the wind came up. I had read stories of motorhomes in the UK having similar problems to yours. The solution for us was to fit an anti flap kit & a centre curved rafter. I purchased them from Aussie Traveller & had them fitted at their Brisbane warehouse on my way through. Additionally I use tie ropes. Those additions plus a side & end wall has worked a treat for us. I am now able to sleep at night without worrying about the awning failing. Alan's comments above are worth noting. Thus I would suggest you try to find an awning that can replace your failed unit and then fit the additions I have mentioned. The Knaus MH range is a good looking set of vehicles and you do not want to spoil it with an ugly awning. I have added a couple of images to show how ours looks. Hope this assists, Cheers, Gary C
Sorry to hear of problem Dave. You are not alone, I rushed to hold one about to go over in Launceston 3 weeks ago. The tourist had one end and I had the other.
Problem about a 10g screw attached to 10mm of fibreglass.
Lucky no to go over the top also.
PeterD said
11:30 AM Jan 15, 2016
D and D wrote:
We have an Aussie Traveler fitted to our van and it's great. Solid, sturdy and easy to use
Dave when you say Aussie Traveller which one do you have? With aussie traveller you have to specify the model, just like telling people which vehicle you drive.
The roll out awnings with the arms to the bottom of the unit don't seem to be fitted to motorhomes. I'm not sure of the reason. Most motorhomes seem to be fitted with the cassette type. All of these need to be well secured with guy ropes (more so then roll out models) if you are going to have them out with minimum supervision.
If you want a cassette type that will stand winds then I suggest you look at the Aussie Traveller Coolibah. It will withstand strong winds better than the roll out models. It does however require a little more setting up then the lighter weight models. Aussie Traveller also sell and fit the Thule range.
dave48 said
12:27 PM Jan 15, 2016
Thanks to all for your help. I understand what everybody is saying. We're in Victoria at the moment so I think I shall go and see the Aus seller ( Avan ) and discuss with them. I'll keep ypu posted if interested
Dave
JCT said
02:26 PM Jan 16, 2016
Having already had one blow back over the motorhome, and replaced with the same model by the insurance company.
( But that is a different story).
I suggest you do not even consider a Fiamma awning.
They are really just a sun shade (according to their advertising) and, unless I have the full 'privacy room' installed along with numerous extra tie downs, at the slightest hint of wind I wind the awning in.
Regards
Colin
dave48 said
08:51 AM Jan 19, 2016
Came to see Avan who are the distributors of our home. Couldn't be happier with them. Took the old one off. Threw it away and gave us a new Thule in it's place. Has guy ropes to tie it down. Has an anti flap device both sides and is HUGELY stronger made than the old one. All compliments of Avan. Very impressed and sat there last night under it just admiring it. Dave
aussie_paul said
09:38 AM Jan 19, 2016
dave48 wrote:
Came to see Avan who are the distributors of our home. Couldn't be happier with them. Took the old one off. Threw it away and gave us a new Thule in it's place. Has guy ropes to tie it down. Has an anti flap device both sides and is HUGELY stronger made than the old one. All compliments of Avan. Very impressed and sat there last night under it just admiring it. Dave
We have a 12 month old Knaus motorhome ( love it ) but the awning that is fitted to it is useless. Very flimsy and weak. Made by Prostor. Finally got caught by a gust of wind that wrapped it over the roof. Completely wrecked it. Any ideas of a better sort to replace it. Dave
Dave
dave48 if your original is a motorized or European awning (sissor type) I would check the requirements for mounting of chosen replacement. Awnings such a Aussie Traveler and Carefree require reinforced top & bottom mounting positions and your motor home may not be suitable.
Alan
Hi Dave, So sorry to read of your awning doing a back flip. My Auto-trail also had a sissor type awning made by Thule Omnistor. During the first two trips from new it frightened me every time the wind came up. I had read stories of motorhomes in the UK having similar problems to yours. The solution for us was to fit an anti flap kit & a centre curved rafter. I purchased them from Aussie Traveller & had them fitted at their Brisbane warehouse on my way through. Additionally I use tie ropes. Those additions plus a side & end wall has worked a treat for us. I am now able to sleep at night without worrying about the awning failing. Alan's comments above are worth noting. Thus I would suggest you try to find an awning that can replace your failed unit and then fit the additions I have mentioned. The Knaus MH range is a good looking set of vehicles and you do not want to spoil it with an ugly awning. I have added a couple of images to show how ours looks.
Hope this assists,
Cheers,
Gary C
Sorry to hear of problem Dave. You are not alone, I rushed to hold one about to go over in Launceston 3 weeks ago. The tourist had one end and I had the other.
Problem about a 10g screw attached to 10mm of fibreglass.
Lucky no to go over the top also.
Dave when you say Aussie Traveller which one do you have? With aussie traveller you have to specify the model, just like telling people which vehicle you drive.
The roll out awnings with the arms to the bottom of the unit don't seem to be fitted to motorhomes. I'm not sure of the reason. Most motorhomes seem to be fitted with the cassette type. All of these need to be well secured with guy ropes (more so then roll out models) if you are going to have them out with minimum supervision.
If you want a cassette type that will stand winds then I suggest you look at the Aussie Traveller Coolibah. It will withstand strong winds better than the roll out models. It does however require a little more setting up then the lighter weight models. Aussie Traveller also sell and fit the Thule range.
Thanks to all for your help. I understand what everybody is saying. We're in Victoria at the moment so I think I shall go and see the Aus seller ( Avan ) and discuss with them. I'll keep ypu posted if interested
Dave
Having already had one blow back over the motorhome, and replaced with the same model by the insurance company.
( But that is a different story).
I suggest you do not even consider a Fiamma awning.
They are really just a sun shade (according to their advertising) and, unless I have the full 'privacy room' installed along with numerous extra tie downs, at the slightest hint of wind I wind the awning in.
Regards
Colin
Came to see Avan who are the distributors of our home. Couldn't be happier with them. Took the old one off. Threw it away and gave us a new Thule in it's place. Has guy ropes to tie it down. Has an anti flap device both sides and is HUGELY stronger made than the old one. All compliments of Avan. Very impressed and sat there last night under it just admiring it. Dave
Great to hear positive results from the industry
Aussie Paul.