Aussie Traveller awning has shrunk

jbrinks · Senior Member

Aussie Traveller awning has shrunk

Baz421 · Guru

Strange that it has shrunk IMHO,,,, usually (like my old one) it stretched a bit.

Someone will have some useful info

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have a Dometic awning and use the Aussie Traveller Anti Flap Kit and I have been saying to people for 12 months now that the vinyl on the awning has shrunk as I have had to move the AT brackets in a good 1" each end and drill extra holes a good 1" in each end on the roller. Everyone has said to me it can't shrink. Sooooorry, it can and has. The awning is a tad over 4 years old now.

Keep safe on the roads and out there.

Edit......Sorry, should have also said the awning is in use in all weather most of the time.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 10th of January 2019 03:58:38 PM

jbrinks · Senior Member

Thanks Dougwe, we didnt expect this to happen so quickly, did drilling new holes work, only problem maybe our annex then

MikeL · Veteran Member

Not good support from the manufacturers then! Maybe a post on their facebook forums (if they have them) would result in a more satisfactory response?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Yes it did work fine but if it shrunk once it might again. I too would have thought 4 years was a bit early but as I said it's out in some pretty rugged weather a lot and hot sun most of the year as I head north to the tropics during winter from VIC. I only have shade screens and not annex walls but I can't see why an inch or so would make too much difference. I live outside most of the time so love my awning.

Sparkster · Senior Member

We had our last van for over five years which had an Aussie Traveller awning and out of the five we've had with awnings it was without a doubt the best one and easiest to use.

We towed that van over four states and two territories and could not complain about the awning.

While it was parked at home it usually but not always had a cover.

I always kept silicone spray handy for the slides but that was the only maintenance it got.

Keith. smile

darjak · Senior Member

They all shrink Dometic the worst of all mine shrunk about 100mm
they used to have a blister problem also.
My new one from Aussie Traveller 2yrs old has shrunk about 40mm
but I had it made so as to be 50mm longer to allow for shrinkage. It
also has discoloured in first 12mths. Company reckons it is due to
ACID RAIN, has never been near any industrial or big city since put
on, might as well complained to a brick wall as they didn't really want
to do anything about it. I've talked to a few other vanners with the same
problem.

Cupie · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
I have a Dometic awning and use the Aussie Traveller Anti Flap Kit and I have been saying to people for 12 months now that the vinyl on the awning has shrunk as I have had to move the AT brackets in a good 1" each end and drill extra holes a good 1" in each end on the roller. Everyone has said to me it can't shrink. Sooooorry, it can and has. The awning is a tad over 4 years old now.

Keep safe on the roads and out there.

Edit......Sorry, should have also said the awning is in use in all weather most of the time.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 10th of January 2019 03:58:38 PM

Perhaps all that pulling power from the Collie has stretched the van.

biggrin biggrin LOL biggrin biggrin

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Mmmm, you could be right there Graham. The Collie is much more powerful than the horse I had when a young Brave.

Radar · Guru

My thoughts only.

What I have learnt from our travels is they do shrink. Brands don't matter, some sooner, some a little later

A bit like the tyres on our caravan around 5 or 6 years replace.

Like our caravan is parked at home the awning is rolled up in the sun, most times the awning is in the sun when caravaning, now 6 years old needs replacing but we are tight with our money when it rips right off we will just replace. No rush.

The fault in the material stared about 2008, of cause we brought a 2009, about 2013 replaced the material.

I just say $100 a year for something that gets a flogging not to bad a value.

Sorry to be the bearer of not so good news. Ralph.

the rocket · Guru

Radar wrote:
My thoughts only.
What I have learnt from our travels is they do shrink. Brands don't matter, some sooner, some a little later
A bit like the tyres on our caravan around 5 or 6 years replace.
Like our caravan is parked at home the awning is rolled up in the sun, most times the awning is in the sun when caravaning, now 6 years old needs replacing but we are tight with our money when it rips right off we will just replace. No rush.
The fault in the material stared about 2008, of cause we brought a 2009, about 2013 replaced the material.
I just say $100 a year for something that gets a flogging not to bad a value.
Sorry to be the bearer of not so good news. Ralph.

What do u mean $100a year for something that gets a flopping?

our awning has done the same. Do not know which brand it is but it sure is annoying.

Radar · Guru

the rocket wrote:
Radar wrote:
My thoughts only.
What I have learnt from our travels is they do shrink. Brands don't matter, some sooner, some a little later
A bit like the tyres on our caravan around 5 or 6 years replace.
Like our caravan is parked at home the awning is rolled up in the sun, most times the awning is in the sun when caravaning, now 6 years old needs replacing but we are tight with our money when it rips right off we will just replace. No rush.
The fault in the material stared about 2008, of cause we brought a 2009, about 2013 replaced the material.
I just say $100 a year for something that gets a flogging not to bad a value.
Sorry to be the bearer of not so good news. Ralph.

What do u mean $100a year for something that gets a flopping?
our awning has done the same. Do not know which brand it is but it sure is annoying.

Hi Rocket

The awning when rolled up the sun hits the material where it connects to the caravan about 200mm the full lenght of the awning.

Then mostly you pull the awning out to sit in the shade of the awning and bingo awning nis in the sun sun up to sun down.

Breeze comes along and controlled movement happens.

Well something gotta give and then your pocket gunna give.

The only way of saving the caravan awning is parking the caravan in a shed when not using it and that is very costly exercise if you don't have a shed. Not using the roll out awning at all is not very practical and a waste of a good bit of kit.

I was thinking when I do have the awning replaced I will ask the guys doing the job to put an extra bit of material the full lenght of the awning probably 300 long as a protective cover of the rolled up awning. Thats our thoughts at the moment.

I don't go around baggering every caravaner with an awning as I said the pre 2008 material may of been better quality and now the material is not as good but replacement is also cheaper.

One couple we know paid a similar amount for a new complete awning back in 1995, to replace our is not that much dearer.

We have not heard of a better material for our awning yet, looking for ideas.

Yes it is annoying that you need to spend money. Ralph.

msg · Guru

I have a Fiamma awning. Don't think it has shrunk or faded. It folds up into a metal box so does not get sun exposure unless its out. 10yrs old now.

Only problem is they are a bit flimsy. Would never have it out if there is anything other than a slight breeze. Most certainly not overnight.

Oh well, you can't have everything.

PeterD · Guru

Radar wrote:
The only way of saving the caravan awning is parking the caravan in a shed when not using it and that is very costly exercise if you don't have a shed. Not using the roll out awning at all is not very practical and a waste of a good bit of kit.

There is always this product - Snap On Awning Protector

Radar · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Radar wrote:
The only way of saving the caravan awning is parking the caravan in a shed when not using it and that is very costly exercise if you don't have a shed. Not using the roll out awning at all is not very practical and a waste of a good bit of kit.
There is always this product - Snap On Awning Protector

Hi Peter

That also adds up to a lot of money when you need 6 of them, then I need to climb a ladder which I don't like doing these days to attach it.

Thank you for the idea. Ralph.

Cupie · Guru

Radar wrote:
PeterD wrote:
Radar wrote:
The only way of saving the caravan awning is parking the caravan in a shed when not using it and that is very costly exercise if you don't have a shed. Not using the roll out awning at all is not very practical and a waste of a good bit of kit.
There is always this product - Snap On Awning Protector
Hi Peter
That also adds up to a lot of money when you need 6 of them, then I need to climb a ladder which I don't like doing these days to attach it.
Thank you for the idea. Ralph.

I saw a fantastic idea (perhaps on JayDee's van) that used an additional sail rail above the rollout awning that took a second length of material that went over the extended awning to provide a cooling air gap. Just like a Tent fly does.

It just rolled up with the normal awning and was secured with its own guy rope arrangement when in use.

As well as providing extra cooling in very hot situations it would also provide a cover over the normal awning when retracted.

Radar · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Radar wrote:
PeterD wrote:
Radar wrote:
The only way of saving the caravan awning is parking the caravan in a shed when not using it and that is very costly exercise if you don't have a shed. Not using the roll out awning at all is not very practical and a waste of a good bit of kit.
There is always this product - Snap On Awning Protector
Hi Peter
That also adds up to a lot of money when you need 6 of them, then I need to climb a ladder which I don't like doing these days to attach it.
Thank you for the idea. Ralph.
I saw a fantastic idea (perhaps on JayDee's van) that used an additional sail rail above the rollout awning that took a second length of material that went over the extended awning to provide a cooling air gap. Just like a Tent fly does.
It just rolled up with the normal awning and was secured with its own guy rope arrangement when in use.

As well as providing extra cooling in very hot situations it would also provide a cover over the normal awning when retracted.

Hi Cupie

I took the time to write further back down/up the page saying this is probably the way we would go when we replace our awning material with the added track and cover.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Now we hope someone comes along and tells us how to recognize the better quality material.

The work we had done by Aussie Traveller was ok but nothing really special, yes the price seemed better then I got from my ring around in the Brisbane area back in 2014 for our 2008 caravan, we are getting close to replacing our November 2012 built caravan awning, to me they look like they are good for around 6 years.

Cupie · Guru

Ralph/Radar ..

The 'Fly' that I saw was more than the 300 that you mentioned. It went the full length of the awning and perhaps a bit wider so that when rolled out it covered the whole of the awning ... like a tent fly with an air gap between it & the normal awning. It was designed for the cooling effect.

When rolled up on the beam with the awning it would also protect it too as an additional bonus.

If you went for a shorter piece it would have to be long enough to be rolled a few turns with the awning or at least clipped down to prevent it flapping. The flapping in the wind when rolled out might also be annoying. I know that the (useless) but pretty fringe on mine is a PITA in a strong wind as it bangs against the awning top.

I have seen 'bags' that have been designed to fit over a rolled up awning. Just a bit annoying to have to continually fit & remove though.

Radar · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Ralph/Radar ..
The 'Fly' that I saw was more than the 300 that you mentioned. It went the full length of the awning and perhaps a bit wider so that when rolled out it covered the whole of the awning ... like a tent fly with an air gap between it & the normal awning. It was designed for the cooling effect.
When rolled up on the beam with the awning it would also protect it too as an additional bonus.

If you went for a shorter piece it would have to be long enough to be rolled a few turns with the awning or at least clipped down to prevent it flapping. The flapping in the wind when rolled out might also be annoying. I know that the (useless) but pretty fringe on mine is a PITA in a strong wind as it bangs against the awning top.
I have seen 'bags' that have been designed to fit over a rolled up awning. Just a bit annoying to have to continually fit & remove though.

Hi I will need to look and think a bit more about this maybe do what a lot of people have done in the past, when the awning starts to look a little sad sell the caravan and purchase a new one. I did get that answer a few times in my quest to fine the better awning material.

Sparkster · Senior Member

darjak wrote:
They all shrink Dometic the worst of all mine shrunk about 100mm
they used to have a blister problem also.
My new one from Aussie Traveller 2yrs old has shrunk about 40mm
but I had it made so as to be 50mm longer to allow for shrinkage. It
also has discoloured in first 12mths. Company reckons it is due to
ACID RAIN, has never been near any industrial or big city since put
on, might as well complained to a brick wall as they didn't really want
to do anything about it. I've talked to a few other vanners with the same
problem.

They all shrink
That's a pretty big claim, although I haven't seen all other awnings so I can't comment on others but as I stated in the post prior to yours we had NO trouble with ours which included shrinkage - at least in the length I couldn't tell about the distance from the roller to the van.
Keith.

miroku12g · Senior Member

On my second Dometic awning now, both have shrunk, and have had to drill new holes to suit the Aussie traveller kit, so when suits i use the simple velcro clamp on ones, works almost as well.

Miroku

jbrinks · Senior Member

Thanks for all your input, our problem is we use an annex occasionally when we have the grandkids and because of the shrinkage it didnt all go together very well this last trip. Will be drilling new holes and see how we go. Was quite surprised how quick it shrunk,