awnings for campervan..your opinions on the best brands /problems

Denise · Senior Member

awnings for campervan..your opinions on the best brands /problems

dave06 · Guru

Hi Denise, when you look for an awning, go for one that is permanently attached, to have to attach and roll out is a pain in the bum, dometic have good ones and any reasonable van supplier will supply and fit,

I prefer metal legs or struts as some don't have legs anymore, they both have advantages and disadvantages, as for life expectancy over average use I would assume ten plus years would be the norm

Cruising Granny · Guru

Domestic vinyl roll-out roof with metal legs is the strongest.
I've had mine on this van for 3.5years, complete with walls.
When I'm parked up long term I peg and tie the legs down with the walls to the ground to resist winds, even strong weather of a stage 1 cyclone.
If you start with the strongest it will last longest.

Denise · Senior Member

Thanks Dave,...what are the anti flapping devices ? Will I need them?

Denise · Senior Member

Thanks Granny, nice and specific.. :)

dave06 · Guru

if you are going to park up for any length of time I would buy a set! they come into their own under windy conditions but will not save the awning under strong winds!

I would buy the camper first then take it to a good caravan sales company and talk to them about various awnings and the accessories that come with that awning, each is different, some don't need "deflappers" at all

there are new designs coming from overseas all the time, look for one with at least a five year guarantee and ask about "extra's"

Cruising Granny · Guru

The anti-flap kits attach to the awning roof by a clamping flap. One end is hooked on the the side of the van like cross bars, and the other side has a pin which is inserted into the roller.
The annexe walls then slide along the bottom of the flap kit.
I also put a rope over the top of the awning roof because there aren't any tabs to secure the roof to the cross bars.
I'm trying to devise a way to attach a couple of velcro tabs to hold the roof onto the cross bars.
The tabs can't be too thick because they will be rolled in with the roof.
It's a great accessory, but they're not cheap - about $200 each = $400 give or take a buck.
I also have tabs to hold the roof only (when I'm not using the walls) to the cross bars of the annexe frame. These are available at camp and caravan shops of various designs, but very useful.
I attach 2 to each end to reduce flapping if the walls aren't up.
NOTE: In my previous post on this topic I meant DOMETIC. I think their design and materials are very strong compared to a few others I've seen.

Denise · Senior Member

Again..great detail,thanks so much Granny. Its an expensive exercise getting fitted out with all this gear isn't it!

seonau · Senior Member

Domestic is a brand of awning? Been looking for a link but cant find one.?

Denise · Senior Member

dometic...no "s " :)

Cruising Granny · Guru

seonau wrote:
Domestic is a brand of awning? Been looking for a link but cant find one.?

I meant DOMETIC - my brain and my fingers go into auto-mode on the keyboard and sometimes the incorrect word appears.
Sorry to mislead you.

Yes, it's expensive to set up some of this stuff, but it's a long-term investment into your "home" or way of life. If you were to put gutters or awnings on your house you'd just do it. That's the way I look at it. This van is my home full time, and my asset, so I have to maintain it in the best possible condition, and make my life as comfortable as possible. I still don't have to pay rates and taxes as well as site fees.

Helen · Veteran Member

I have a CAREFREE awning on my van which I am really pleased with. It looks a little more solid to me than other similar awnings. I use anti flappers, of which I had two sets of, but one lot has disappeared. I also tie the awning down and in strong winds throw a rope over it or wind the whole thing in.

Denise · Senior Member

Hi Helen..the arms look very heavy duty....are they metal or plastic? Thanks :)

Helen · Veteran Member

They are metal Denise, aluminium I think. This one painted and my last. before I hit a tree with it, raw metal. Apparently WA has metal and the east coast painted!? There is a track along the roller where I have made a shade cloth screen to slide along. This has improved coolness and the illusion of privacy. Also have one for one end which attaches with velcro to the arms.

Denise · Senior Member

Helen did you make your final decision on price?

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Hi Denise!
I have a metal legged awning attached to the van which takes about a minute to set up or roll away & i swear by them.
You can get the full length deflappers that I believe Granny is talking about but I know nothing about them so I bow to Grannys superior knowledge, I use the smaller ones that clamp half way along the sides of your awning then wrap around the side bars with velcrose. I use 2 of them on each side for extra support & they are the slightly larger variety I think costing up to $40 a pair. They havn't let me down yet.
Also make sure you use spring loaded ropes to attach the corners to the ground, they are invaluable & great for peace of mind in high winds
If the wind starts to worry you too much or you're about to go out & the weather is looking ominous it's easy & takes under 2min to unhook the ropes, take the clamps off & roll the awning up as it's best to be safe than sorry sometimes, replacing an awning is an expensive option
Cheers
Jon

PeterD · Guru

Do the Mercedes Vito vans have flat enough sides to take the standard roll out awnings. The favoured style of awnings for the van type motorhomes seem to be the Omnistore (or like) style - . An alternate, stronger but heavier style is the Aussie Traveller Coolibah - see this link.see this link Aussie traveller have shade and annex walls for both.. I have a coolibah awning on my van and am very happy with it. I sit under it in windy weather and watch those with roll out types roll them in and out depending on the wind strength.

With all due respect to those who have had their awnings for a few years, the Dometic awnings have gone down in quality. I have been listening to vanners complaining that the plastic material in the Dometics is extremely light in structure. Currently the Aussie Traveller Sunburst is the heaviest in quality - see this link

dave06 · Guru

yep the dometic has suffered a little in quality in answer to the cheaper imports but are still quite good, the Mercedes has a "gutter" and a roll out can be fitted to that if a flat enough surface cant be found!

there are a lot of very good awnings on the market, thats why I suggested seeing your c/van retail store, they are up to date with what you need at the best price

Denise · Senior Member

Thanks guys, I wouldn't purchase it without checking them out on the ground ..but from a cold start I reckon its great to canvass opinions and experience..which abounds on this place, before going out there. Its been a great education and if nothing else I now know some of the questions to ask and what to look for, thanks to all who have responded.
Cheers :)