Looking at getting an annexe

Scenicview · Member

Looking at getting an annexe

Mike Harding · Guru

Big, heavy, cumbersome to erect and expensive.

I had one on a van in Europe where they can be worthwhile given the weather for much of the year. I'll not buy one here because the weather is more benign and an awning usually suffices.

Unless I was in one spot for some weeks I also suspect the "Too much trouble to put it up" factor would apply.

outlaw40 · Guru

Agree with mike . the weight factor alone is enough to put most people off . we use privacy screens when we want to shut down the awning a bit because of the direction of the elements ( wind or rain or sun ) or if we want a bit more privacy in an overpopulated park .they are light to carry , easy to erect , and inexpensive to by .

Dougwe · Chief one feather

When I am staying put for a few days or sometimes longer I just use awning. However, if I am staying put for a week or more and want a little privacy, like as we speak, I only use the side shade screens. Long side or one end etc. Like as we speak, I have put the three sides up it's surprising how much privacy you get. You can still see the outside world a little so don't feel closed in. It's a little different at night with the light on outside though. Works well for me. Saves heaps of weight too.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Smith · Veteran Member

with our previous , very small, caravan we used an oztent rv5 attached to the caravan side . Worked very well for longer stays had the advantage of an extra room when needed , the downside was the length of the packed tent , however it did fit inside the van for transport.

Smith

Relax-n · Guru

As per other comments, space is the factor. Also the time and effort. You travel to relax and enjoy.

We have a side screen and 2 end wall screens to attach to our awning. And put up as needed. If the weather is too bad for that we migrate inside.

Check out the cheap shops or gumtree. Often they sell pet pens. Some are light weight panels fitting together with pins into the ground. We cable tied ours so it folded (connsatina style). Can join 2 together for more space for fur babies. If larger dogs, then runners can be a good choice. We have used both.

At least then you can still see the outside world and not feel boxed in.

Also this option would be a lot cheaper than an annex.

the rocket · Guru

Hi, we have an annexe. Been in our caravan 5 years now. Came in handy when strop was having chemo and surgery and we were in a permanent spot for 6 months. Since then it has been in storage. We use side screens. Much easier to put up n cooler And cheaper n less weight. Good luck.

Radar · Guru

Scenicview wrote:
we are thinking of getting an annexe for our new van, just to give us that extra space to store things and to give our dogs and us shelter from the elements. Would only use one if staying several days. What do others use instead of a full annex, would love to know

I like to take the opportunity to tell you how good annexs are but my real and only time we used a annex was when I borrow my father's Millard 14 footer back in 1978 and that was a endless night mare as Dad had a different way of camping to me but that is now history and we have a ubute roll out awning and light weight sun screens, must omit the longest they have been up at anyone time would be a week in 6 years.

Our caravan was previous owned by a mid seventy couple and they told me in the 3 years they owned the caravan the annex only went up once and that was the demo at pick up time. Since we have owned the caravan the annex went up once and that was up into the roof cavity in our home for storage 3 years ago.

I think when I weighed the annex it come in around 30kgs with all the extras, for something that heavy in a caravan where continually weight is a issue, the annex is not worth the trouble and most important the financial out lay for it.

My only advice is wait until you say I wished I had brought the annex. Enjoy out there.

Cupie · Guru

I agree with the general sentiment that they are too heavy and are a PITA to put up.

I got a good one when I purchased my van in 1998 and carted it about until recently, only using it if staying in one spot for over a week.

Since the advent of quality privacy screens, I have retired the annex to the back shed & only carry a full set of privacy screens that I erect if stopping for more than 2 days.

If I am going to a local beach for 2 or more weeks, I take the awning & sometimes a gazebo too. A lot or weight I know, but they make for a comfortable camp & SWMBO likes them too, so that settles the matter.

fwdoz · Guru

The wife & I can put up our annexe in 15 minutes. We only use it when staying for 3 days or longer.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Do you have a gas fridge?
Which side is it on?
It is now illegal to have an annexe over the gas fridge vent unless at least 2 sides are fully open.
Cheers,
Peter

Scenicview · Member

Thanks so much everyone for your advice, it looks like screens are the go for us as well.
Looks like a lot of annexes have been put away never to be seen again, made us laugh, cheers

Radar · Guru

Scenicview wrote:
Thanks so much everyone for your advice, it looks like screens are the go for us as well.
Looks like a lot of annexes have been put away never to be seen again, made us laugh, cheers

You got me thinking, I may pull them down from the roof cavity, measure them and put them on market place.

There may be someone out there could use them.

Dhutime · Senior Member

Privacy screens wont keep your dog in . We use our annex when camping on one spot for a few days . Depending what you get though, ours is a breeze to erect. Gives us a shelter from the wind and shade when needed. Sure it weighs a bit which doesnt matter if you are below your limits.

Farmhat · Senior Member

With a previous van, when in one spot for the whole winter, I was glad to have the annex set up.

With current van we only have the 3 shade cloth type walls, and they don't get used too often, as on the move too much. They biggest reason I use any of the walls is to keep wind at bay.

Joe

Tony Bev · Guru

I did the lap in 2013/14 in a pop top caravan

I carried a fully enclosed annex, (even had extra windows fitted, for catching the breeze)

I never used it once, on that trip

I will admit that it certainly looked good, when I set it up on my lawn

I can only remember using it once, in a caravan park in 2004

On my motorhome, I have a roller (Carefree) awning, and side (shade cloth) type end walls, made by Coast to Coast

Sarge9 · Senior Member

We had an annex made for o u r 16 1/2 ft van, use it with grandkids and family gathering holidays, up in about 10 mins and down about the same. I keep it in the box on the back of the twin cab, cost $1200 about 3 years ago. Don't always put the draft strips on. Well worth the time and money and effort.

Cupie · Guru

Sarge9 wrote:
We had an annex made for o u r 16 1/2 ft van, use it with grandkids and family gathering holidays, up in about 10 mins and down about the same. I keep it in the box on the back of the twin cab, cost $1200 about 3 years ago. Don't always put the draft strips on. Well worth the time and money and effort.

Yes, got to agree that the annex is great when your grandies or other guests are sleeping over. I had forgotten that factor when replying previously.

We have on occasion set up a spare room complete with bed, floor covering, chair, clothing storage, lights, fan & a privacy wall while keeping the other half of the area under the awning for a meals area. By opening the window above our bed we were able to air-condition the annex area too.

My vinyl Kakadoo annex is a bit difficult to erect because of the need to attach the end walls to the awning by using toggle clips & eyelets. Made more difficult as the awning stretched over time & they don't line up very well. It would take me about 30min to set up our annex walls.

On the plus side, ours has very large screened 'windows' at both ends & along the sides allowing 90% of the walls to be opened up to act like like privacy screens when the weather permits. Lets in light & breezes.

Still bloody heavy though.

Gundog · Guru

We have a full annex, I would not go anywhere without it, it's no big deal to set it up, I'm actually off to see a manufacturer about getting a new one made as the old one is getting a bit tired.