Our new Avan Nathan has "Euro" style windows with click clack type struts. What worries me is that there is no way to secure the open widows so that they will not either blow open in a strong wind or be opened from outside by someone with an unpleasant agenda. I asked Avan about different struts but no joy. Anyone got any bright ideas?
Hi, we have the same style of window on our van, and you are correct, they can blow open and pull out the shaft of the strut in strong winds. We found cam lock devices that we made up with cord and they can easily be attached to the top pivot point of the strut and around the catch of the window. Perfect in any wind. I must say that we are lucky in that our midgy screens are held to the frame with magnetic strips, and that makes it east to attach them from inside the van.
we found the cam lock things on eBay. Cant remember the supplier, but they are in Queensland. Good luck.
I have the same on my Adria van, and have been trying to find a solution. I've gone down a slightly different path and was thinking of some kind of small clamp on the strut itself, clamping together the inner and outer parts so it can't move. So far though I haven't been able to source something suitable, though I have found a picture of what I want. If anyone knows where I can get these, please let me know. The jaw opening is 25mm.
-- Edited by Mamil on Tuesday 28th of May 2019 08:25:02 PM
Haven't found a solution to the problem for the side windows, but have come up with a simple mod using Velcro tape that stope the roof vents from opening because of wind gusts. The vent can be locked in any of the open positions, works well.
We have had an Avan for 8 years from new. They have always had the same windows. We have had to replace a few struts as they are pretty flimsy as are most things on an Avan. After sales service is non existent ask any owner. lol.
Ps. The strings on the fly screens and blinds break too.lol.
-- Edited by Olive Oil on Thursday 30th of May 2019 10:27:52 AM
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Thank you to those who offered helpful suggestions. I am still mulling it over about what to do here, maybe just shut the bloody windows.Just by the way, we bought an Avan because we liked a lot of things about it, so far no real issues but, as a first time potential buyer of an actual new van we did a lot of research before parting with our hard earned. Part of the research was reading reviews on sites like this and quite honestly if you took all the negative reviews of almost EVERY make of caravan to heart you would never buy any van. In the end we decided that we would trust our own judgement otherwise we would still be dithering about over other peoples problems. Vans we had in the past were Viscount Explorers with Standfast annexes built like brick...you know whats and, looking at the modern materials they are using, frankly, they all look pretty flimsy but you either have that or don't have anything. Anyway, we're in it now for better or worse, so far so good.
