I have for the last 5 years had dometic awning on my two vans one was brand new and did not last long before fraying around the edges and major shrinking and this currant vans awning is 3 years old and much the same.
Australia wide annexe have a heavy duty material they use but the colours are basic except one which is a grey brown fleck and no white in it which will be much better for mould and stains.
My question is has anyone used this product and how does it compare to dometic or other brands.
Cheers
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John
2017 dmax lovells upgrade full CSM trade aluminium canopy,3.5 m quintrex tinny and rear boat loader mangrove jack aluminium trailer
I have a Dometic Awning and have done for six years now, I couldn't leave home without it now as I live under it and live in van full time.
Interesting how you say it has shrunk. I have been told it can't BUT it's strange how over the six years I now have 3 holes each end of the roller for the anti flap kit I use. It sure hasn't grown in length and I tell you that for free. It HAS shrunk and I reckon by at least 3" from one end if roller to the other.
My vinyl is about to go to the big awning God and has faded with little pin holes on the roller stitching area but could be my fault as it was that dirty after being near a big tree all last summer a mate and I washed it with truck wash, ooops and I reckon it might just, with some luck, see out summer. I hope anyway. If it's not covered by insurance I will replace only the roller and vinyl as the frame is still in good nick.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there (and don't wash your awning with truck wash)
-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 28th of November 2020 08:57:29 AM
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I bought a replacement awning because the roller mechanism was failing. I shopped around and eventually found a good price (cannot remember where now). The original awning was basically white with a blue flash at eh outer end. I order a blue and white awning to replace it and that is what I got Blue with a white flash at the outer end. It is dark blue and on a hot day it is impossible to sit under it because of the heat radiated down to the ground. It is OK in a mild climate though, as long as you can shelter from the winds.
The original awning did get stains etc on it and they didn't properly come out even though I tried many different products, so there are tradeoff in having an awning which will mask the stains but cook you instead. It would pay you to check the colour scheme before you buy the awning.
I have a Dometic Awning and have done for six years now, I couldn't leave home without it now as I live under it and live in van full time.
Interesting how you say it has shrunk. I have been told it can't BUT it's strange how over the six years I now have 3 holes each end of the roller for the anti flap kit I use. It sure hasn't grown in length and I tell you that for free. It HAS shrunk and I reckon by at least 3" from one end if roller to the other.
My vinyl is about to go to the big awning God and has faded with little pin holes on the roller stitching area but could be my fault as it was that dirty after being near a big tree all last summer a mate and I washed it with truck wash, ooops and I reckon it might just, with some luck, see out summer. I hope anyway. If it's not covered by insurance I will replace only the roller and vinyl as the frame is still in good nick.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there (and don't wash your awning with truck wash)
-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 28th of November 2020 08:57:29 AM
Dougwe both have shrunk up to 75 mm on each side requiring me to drill new holes in van and roller for my deflappers and god has done me a favour being here in Yenda nsw by being caught in a storm and ripping it to peices not that that was hard
cheers
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John
2017 dmax lovells upgrade full CSM trade aluminium canopy,3.5 m quintrex tinny and rear boat loader mangrove jack aluminium trailer
Probably just needs a bit of a stretch with a WDH Doug!
Mmm, probably have to re-weigh the teepee when the new one is fitted too. The extra vinyl might put it over weight. Getting rid of Genne wouldn't make any difference cos she lives in the back of the Collie. I don't use WDH so that doesn't come into it.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
6 years out of our last 2 awnings but I do park them in the sun when at home rolled up, that would help in shorten their life for sure.
We had Aussie Traveler do our replacement vinyl both times, yes we do praise there service a bit, good price and this new vinyl looks a treat. So happy.
Hi John, I just had a look on your profile, from near where I grew up at The Entrance but see you are down the track.
We had a good experience in 2019 with Wagga Caravan Repairs.
-- Edited by Radar on Saturday 28th of November 2020 06:57:40 PM
6 years out of our last 2 awnings but I do park them in the sun when at home rolled up, that would help in shorten their life for sure.
We had Aussie Traveler do our replacement vinyl both times, yes we do praise there service a bit, good price and this new vinyl looks a treat. So happy.
Hi John, I just had a look on your profile, from near where I grew up at The Entrance but see you are down the track.
We had a good experienceeers in 2019 with Wagga Caravan Repairs.
Hi radar
AWA did say to me that the awning should be put away before the dew sets in if you are storing the van after you leave
cheers
-- Edited by Radar on Saturday 28th of November 2020 06:57:40 PM
__________________
John
2017 dmax lovells upgrade full CSM trade aluminium canopy,3.5 m quintrex tinny and rear boat loader mangrove jack aluminium trailer
Do you mean when the awning is rolled up, you have painted that exposed section to the sun with a thermal type paint?
The top section is where both our awning have given up with the sun just cooking it as the caravan is parked east/ west at home. I thought about having a extra cover made for the rolled up awning but the cost sort of over ruled that idea.
My awning has shrunk sufficiently to render the standard anti flap attachment attached to the top arm useless.
I didn't want to make any holes so I purchased a few tarp securers from the green shed and a few flat occy straps and used that. I put little tension on the strap and find it works better than the original fitted one.
howdy whoops i washed my awning yesturday with truck wash but but my awning is just about goneeee its all flaked up top and there is rips in up top so mmmmm
ChrisSmith
Yea
victoria
-- Edited by Smithy on Sunday 29th of November 2020 11:58:26 AM
I have a Fiamma awning. Don't know what you lot do to yours but mine is as new @ 12yrs old. I does pack away on the side of the van in a metal cover. Maybe thats it.
Because they are known to be very flimsy, it comes in when the weather turns adverse or even looks like it. I also usually park with the afternoon sun on the driver's side giving me afternoon shade on the door side to sit in. Also have fridge on this side so its best for that as well.
I guess if the expectation is to have it set up in all types of weather then you need to be prepared for greater wear and tear.
