I was usually trying to park my van when space is available with the awning side pointing away from the sun to have a nice shady afternoon. Then the other day just outside Katherine another vanner said that they park the other way around to keep the sun off the fridge. What is the general consensus of the wisdom of all the rest of you out there? Maybe I should just get a shade made up for the fridge area as I have seen others do.
Vince said
11:08 AM Aug 17, 2016
Which ever the best view is
As for the fridge - I have a runner above the vent and put shade cloth up
Cheers
Vince
Dougwe said
12:46 PM Aug 17, 2016
North is good for Solar panels but I tend to get the best view if possible Like Vince. I also put a shade over the fridge vents if needed.
If sun is a problem on the awning side, I drop the awning down lower and duck when walking in under. That way there is usually good shade Under for the arvo and drinks later in the day.
Tea of course. What did you think I meant
Keep safe on the roads and out there.
Tony Bev said
03:14 PM Aug 17, 2016
Hello rgren2
I have a three way fridge, on the passenger (entrance door, and awning) side of the RV, which seems to work better when it is in the shade.
I have solar panels on the rear part of the roof of the RV, which I like to point in a northerly direction, otherwise it is partly shaded by the roof air-con
I park with the rear of the RV facing North, which means that the fridge, entrance door, and awning side is facing East, towards the rising sun
I was advised by another (more experienced) traveller, with the same RV as myself, that if the three way fridge side of the RV must be towards the sun, it is better to face the cooler morning sun, than the hotter afternoon sun
As Vince and Dougwe have already said, and as you have previously mentioned, a shade over the fridge, will allow you to park in the position of the best view, or best shade for the occupants
I have been told by others that if you have a 12 volt compressor fridge, shading that side of the RV, is not as critical, as when you have a three way absorption fridge
Hope this helps you out
macka17 said
04:29 PM Aug 17, 2016
Length of sail track above fridge.
Get a piece of canvas or shade cloth made. with coupla stretchy's and ground pegs.
We have a full length sail track along opposite side of van to rollout.
And use an old vinyl cover from prev rollout with 4 legs, guys and pegs.
It's a Carport. Van side heat keeper offer, and fridge cooler.
All in one hit.
That, With heat reflective paint on roof and forward/rear roll over of roof line.
combined with panels.
You can park van in full Darwin sun and still be cool inside.
They really do make a difference.
rgren2 said
05:29 PM Aug 17, 2016
Excellent replies, a small fridge awning will be my project when I get home.
Cupie said
11:03 PM Aug 17, 2016
Vince wrote:
Which ever the best view is
As for the fridge - I have a runner above the vent and put shade cloth up
Cheers Vince
Ditto. It's all about the view & the fridge shade.
The Awning Man fitted a sail track along the full length of the RHS of the van & I attach a full length shade from Coast to Coast. It makes a good spot to store my kayaks & bike as well as shading the fridge .. its main purpose. We have another C to C shade used as a privacy screen off the awning when I don't feel like putting up the annex.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 17th of August 2016 11:09:25 PM
stoney123 said
05:44 AM Aug 19, 2016
have often wondered why aussie cvans and motor homes do do have rollout awning on both side and back.
macka17 said
09:59 AM Aug 19, 2016
Roll outs BOTH sides is a bit overkill.
and. If full size van.
gives them a good chance of breaking the "vehicle Overwidth laws"
We have to be careful with trucks. either inside the 8ft 3in (used to be)
or permits.
A cop measures you when in a bad mood.
It's quite a large fine.
There is also a road rule for overhang of items beyond rear of trailer body.
Some of these vans you see trundling around with huge boxes. Boat trailers. Bikes etc.
Hanging off the back would probably exceed that too.
If they were to get picky or crack down on us.
Length. width. axle weights. Gross weights. even drawbar heights and some lighting.
They would have a ball if ever.
stoney123 said
04:47 PM Aug 19, 2016
i dont think it is overkill. the mounting is just a basic design issue and CAN be achieved without breaking any laws. I would also look to embed solar. Stopping direct sunlight hitting van/camper is a no brainer. it can be done cheaply with a tarp in one house i put alfoil on cardboard and placed it on westerly window, house did NOT heat up
macka17 said
08:27 PM Aug 19, 2016
Check it out Stoney.
MAX allowable without permit in Aust is
2.5mtrs. iE.. 8ft 2inches.
You get a full size van, normally 8ft or a bit more.
Add one 4in rollout. You "legally" Just inside.
Allowed 150mm over .
One each side. that's 8in min, OVER width, Permit needed.
A LOT of people don't realise how easy it is.
All you need is one bad mood copper.
and you parked on side of road with defect and a big fine.
Just type in "Highways dep,t."
Veh max dimensions and peruse.....
PeterD said
09:39 AM Aug 20, 2016
stoney123 wrote:
have often wondered why aussie cvans and motor homes do do have rollout awning on both side and back.
Some of the American imports are even too wide to fit an awning one side. I have been in conversation with people who own them and have been ordered to remove the awning.
If you look around you will see some rear entry vans with an awning on the rear and also the LHS.
I was usually trying to park my van when space is available with the awning side pointing away from the sun to have a nice shady afternoon. Then the other day just outside Katherine another vanner said that they park the other way around to keep the sun off the fridge. What is the general consensus of the wisdom of all the rest of you out there? Maybe I should just get a shade made up for the fridge area as I have seen others do.
As for the fridge - I have a runner above the vent and put shade cloth up
Cheers
Vince
North is good for Solar panels but I tend to get the best view if possible Like Vince. I also put a shade over the fridge vents if needed.

If sun is a problem on the awning side, I drop the awning down lower and duck when walking in under. That way there is usually good shade Under for the arvo and drinks later in the day.
Tea of course. What did you think I meant
Keep safe on the roads and out there.
Hello rgren2
I have a three way fridge, on the passenger (entrance door, and awning) side of the RV, which seems to work better when it is in the shade.
I have solar panels on the rear part of the roof of the RV, which I like to point in a northerly direction, otherwise it is partly shaded by the roof air-con
I park with the rear of the RV facing North, which means that the fridge, entrance door, and awning side is facing East, towards the rising sun
I was advised by another (more experienced) traveller, with the same RV as myself, that if the three way fridge side of the RV must be towards the sun, it is better to face the cooler morning sun, than the hotter afternoon sun
As Vince and Dougwe have already said, and as you have previously mentioned, a shade over the fridge, will allow you to park in the position of the best view, or best shade for the occupants
I have been told by others that if you have a 12 volt compressor fridge, shading that side of the RV, is not as critical, as when you have a three way absorption fridge
Hope this helps you out
Get a piece of canvas or shade cloth made. with coupla stretchy's and ground pegs.
We have a full length sail track along opposite side of van to rollout.
And use an old vinyl cover from prev rollout with 4 legs, guys and pegs.
It's a Carport. Van side heat keeper offer, and fridge cooler.
All in one hit.
That, With heat reflective paint on roof and forward/rear roll over of roof line.
combined with panels.
You can park van in full Darwin sun and still be cool inside.
They really do make a difference.
Excellent replies, a small fridge awning will be my project when I get home.
Ditto. It's all about the view & the fridge shade.
The Awning Man fitted a sail track along the full length of the RHS of the van & I attach a full length shade from Coast to Coast. It makes a good spot to store my kayaks & bike as well as shading the fridge .. its main purpose. We have another C to C shade used as a privacy screen off the awning when I don't feel like putting up the annex.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 17th of August 2016 11:09:25 PM
and. If full size van.
gives them a good chance of breaking the "vehicle Overwidth laws"
We have to be careful with trucks. either inside the 8ft 3in (used to be)
or permits.
A cop measures you when in a bad mood.
It's quite a large fine.
There is also a road rule for overhang of items beyond rear of trailer body.
Some of these vans you see trundling around with huge boxes. Boat trailers. Bikes etc.
Hanging off the back would probably exceed that too.
If they were to get picky or crack down on us.
Length. width. axle weights. Gross weights. even drawbar heights and some lighting.
They would have a ball if ever.
i dont think it is overkill. the mounting is just a basic design issue and CAN be achieved without breaking any laws. I would also look to embed solar. Stopping direct sunlight hitting van/camper is a no brainer. it can be done cheaply with a tarp in one house i put alfoil on cardboard and placed it on westerly window, house did NOT heat up
MAX allowable without permit in Aust is
2.5mtrs. iE.. 8ft 2inches.
You get a full size van, normally 8ft or a bit more.
Add one 4in rollout. You "legally" Just inside.
Allowed 150mm over .
One each side. that's 8in min, OVER width, Permit needed.
A LOT of people don't realise how easy it is.
All you need is one bad mood copper.
and you parked on side of road with defect and a big fine.
Just type in "Highways dep,t."
Veh max dimensions and peruse.....
Some of the American imports are even too wide to fit an awning one side. I have been in conversation with people who own them and have been ordered to remove the awning.
If you look around you will see some rear entry vans with an awning on the rear and also the LHS.
macka17
wow you don't give up with your negative waves and sprouting laws. THINK.
you will see awnings for 4wds which sit on ROOF they do not protrude.
but you know all don't you?
stop slagging off ideas. stop living in the past.
-- Edited by stoney123 on Saturday 20th of August 2016 04:30:09 PM
Your not wrong stoney.
Aussie Paul.