I have just purchased an annex for our Retreat and was wondering if regular users of an annex on this forum might be able to give me some tips....
My main question is regarding wind strengths. If the annex is fitted completely (all walls erected) and the awning is tied down securely each end, what wind speeds can it withstand (generally). At what wind speeds do regular users make the decision to take the annex down and roll up the awning?
Never while the wind is actually blowing hard. Watch the weather, and make the decision to take it down BEFORE big winds hit. Or leave it up, with as many ropes as you can securely in the ground - a lot of people are using coach screws (250mm or so) as they screw in with an electric drill, and stay secure in nearly all conditions.
Good luck , looks a good annexe, had one like that on my caravan years ago, loved the extra room it gave.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
As Jules said, if it is roped securely all round then leave it there.
It is when just in 'awning mode' that the wind is a problem, they will get torn off in strong wind.
I can't see in your pic but I assume you have the Skirt for van to ground inside the annexe? Make sure you use that too. It is amazing how much more comfy it is in the annexe on a cold, windy day. It also adds to wind security by preventing the wind getting inside & blowing the annexe up like a balloon.
Cheers Neil
ps: Nice van
<Edit> I should have added, if you don't have the Rafters inside try to have one end of the awning lower than the other to allow any rain to run off rather than pooling on the roof which also can destroy an awning.
-- Edited by Delta18 on Saturday 5th of September 2015 11:46:30 AM
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Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
As said, keep an eye on what wind may be expected, and how it may effect the area you are in.
No awning/annex is bullet proof IMO, some of the older framed varieties can withstand far more than the newer roll up style.
One things for sure if the big blow does come you will never get the awning in then safely, so I always go on the safe side. If severe winds are expected forget ropes or tie downs, take it in as it's not a big deal and far safer. And less likely to need a claim on the insurance.
Thanks for all the feedback. Yes, Neil (a fellow Retreat owner I see ), I do have the skirt and 2 rafters as well. I will follow all this advice and hopefully I will never need to approach the insurance company... actually that raises another matter... I will now need to contact YOUI and tell them I now have an annex as it was not included in the original price...
As Jules says, many people use coach screws rather than pegs.
At the feet on the bottom of awning legs there should be two holes - at least there are on mine and others that I have seen. I screw in 300mm coach screws through those holes. So far they have held in all winds encountered to date. On one occasion my flag was shredded in strong winds but the annex remained firm. Remember to put washers under the coach screw heads.
Also our annex walls have tabs around the bottom edges and I use more coach screws through them. Cannot see any on your annex but they may be hidden.
By the way, the best thing about the coach screws, apart from holding better than ordinary tent pegs, is that they 'unscrew' out of the ground easily even after being in the ground for four weeks. Try that with tent pegs!
As for additional rafters rather than buy expensive ones I simply use ordinary tent poles. Cut the eye off one end and bent a right angle - multi-grips will do the job. Drill a hole in the roller for the spike and fasten a bracket onto the the side of the van roof. I also shortened the spike to about 25mm. Works fine.
Murray
-- Edited by Long Weekend on Saturday 5th of September 2015 05:19:41 PM
Thanks. I have a set of coach screws I purchased a long time ago to use for pegging down things and never got around to using them... at last I have a good use for them
Long Weekend wrote:
As Jules says, many people use coach screws rather than pegs.
At the feet on the bottom of awning legs there should be two holes - at least there are on mine and others that I have seen. I screw in 300mm coach screws through those holes. So far they have held in all winds encountered to date. On one occasion my flag was shredded in strong winds but the annex remained firm.
Also our annex walls have tabs around the bottom edges and I use more coach screws through them. Cannot see any on your annex but they may be hidden.
By the way, the best thing about the coach screws, apart from holding better than ordinary tent pegs, is that they 'unscrew' out of the ground easily even after being in the ground for four weeks. Try that with tent pegs!
As for additional rafters rather than buy expensive ones I simply use ordinary tent poles. Cut the eye off one end and bent a right angle - multi-grips will do the job. Drill a hole in the roller for the spike and fasten a bracket onto the the side of the van roof. I also shortened the spike to about 25mm. Works fine.
