Buying an Annex

Tauzer · Newbie

Buying an Annex

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Tauzer, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Tebbs make a quality Annex so check google for a supplier nearest you.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

rgren2 · Guru

Tauzer wrote:
Hi,
I have just purchased my first caravan and am interested in buying an Annex. The van is a Golf Savannahs 402 with a Thule awning. I live in Ipswich Qld and would appreciate any advise on which Annex to buy and where I could get the best deal. Thanks in anticipation.

Do you really need one? Awning and privacy screens do a pretty good job.

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to GN's, I'm sure you will find a lot of useful bits and pieces on this site.

Totally agree with rgren2, Annexes tend to be heavy, cumbersome and rarely used. The only time they are moderately useful is if camped for a period of time in one spot and it rains.

They do come in handy if travelling with a family as vans become a little claustrophobic for family living. I suggest you start off with awning only, maybe a privacy screen if caravan parks are your thing.

-- Edited by Possum3 on Wednesday 20th of January 2021 09:29:15 PM

-- Edited by Possum3 on Thursday 21st of January 2021 05:22:43 AM

travelyounger · Guru

Tauzer wrote:
Hi,
I have just purchased my first caravan and am interested in buying an Annex. The van is a Golf Savannahs 402 with a Thule awning. I live in Ipswich Qld and would appreciate any advise on which Annex to buy and where I could get the best deal. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi

Australia wide annexes are the most popular they are good quality canvas with lots of optional extras.
They come to you and measure and put on deflappers struts and skirt then about three weeks later the annexe arrives.

There factory is near Brisbane so should be easy for you

Cheers

suengreg · Veteran Member

When I bought our van it came with an unused annex. 4 years later we sold the annex (we never used it) and invested in a better awning and a couple of privacy screens. These are a lot quicker to set up than an annex
Safe travels

travelyounger · Guru

Tauzer wrote:
Hi,
I have just purchased my first caravan and am interested in buying an Annex. The van is a Golf Savannahs 402 with a Thule awning. I live in Ipswich Qld and would appreciate any advise on which Annex to buy and where I could get the best deal. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi

There are a few of the members not recommending a annexe heres my take after 3 and a bit years on the road.We both still work and can be on dusty sites and in winter when cold and wet and for extended periods and a bit more security the annexe are great.

The negatives are the approx 40 kg of weight ,they get very hot in summer and feel like your blocked in ,setup time and pack up time and or waiting for it to dry some people just get the ends and skirt and use the shade sail in the awning track which works very well so as you are new to caravanning just take a few trips and decide what your style of camping will warrant spending up to $3000 on a full annexe.
A good way to get ideas is check out all the setups at mainly the free camps

Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

Two years nomadding here.

I don't own one and won't, for the reasons given by others.

I think they would be useful for young families who camp in one spot for some weeks but otherwise; expensive, heavy, bulky, time consuming and difficult to put up and take down.

However I would not be without an awning.

Mariner30 · Senior Member

I don't know the best place in Qld to buy an annexe but l've gotta say that as a family we loved using the caravan annexe and used it every time we went on holidays down the beach, with our 3 kids,

Only you know your circumstances and how you will use your new van,

They don't take that much time to set up in real timeand offer much more protection from the elements and privacy as well than a awning, which is likely to be damaged in winds, while you are away doing some shopping etc etc

Gundog · Guru

I wouldn't go anywhere without one.

Absolute rubbish they take time to install and pack up, what is a few minutes difference when your not in a hurry.

Sure the heavy vinyl one can get hot, but most of that heat is from the awning, newer mateeial breath better, have a look at the options from xtendoutdoors.com.au, they have agreat range of annex solutions.

Our annex is getting a bit old and ragged, Im looking at having a custom built one that will have a front and rear aliuminum doors.

Oh just a question for the anti annex brigade what to you do when it pours down rain all day, or a tropical storm like yesterday lunch time 25mm in 45 minutes, me I can sit in my annex because no matter which direction the rain is comming from we have to worry about nothing.

Another added advantage with the annex up and a big blow comes along, there's no scurrying around to secure everything outside and put the awning up, with the AFK and annex walls everything is secure and a mere 100kph wing is nothing to worry about.

Cupie · Guru

Gundog wrote:
I wouldn't go anywhere without one.
Absolute rubbish they take time to install and pack up, what is a few minutes difference when your not in a hurry.
Sure the heavy vinyl one can get hot, but most of that heat is from the awning, newer mateeial breath better, have a look at the options from xtendoutdoors.com.au, they have agreat range of annex solutions.
Our annex is getting a bit old and ragged, Im looking at having a custom built one that will have a front and rear aliuminum doors.
Oh just a question for the anti annex brigade what to you do when it pours down rain all day, or a tropical storm like yesterday lunch time 25mm in 45 minutes, me I can sit in my annex because no matter which direction the rain is comming from we have to worry about nothing.
Another added advantage with the annex up and a big blow comes along, there's no scurrying around to secure everything outside and put the awning up, with the AFK and annex walls everything is secure and a mere 100kph wing is nothing to worry about.

Yep GD makes some good points but ..

I got a Kakadu (they were at the Gold Coast) full vinyl annex when I got my new Jayco some 22 years ago & still have it. It lives out in the shed these days along with all its steel poles.

In the early years I would use it if my stay was one week or longer, mainly because of the hassle putting it up & down and the weight of the bloody thing. The exception was when I had guests staying with me (usually extra grandkids or BIL) and I would set up a bedroom for them under the awning and sometimes also directing Air Con out to them thru an open bedroom window.

But since the advent of Privacy screens, I rarely use the annex. I have a full set of Coast to Coast screens plus an extra one for the fridge side. I dumped the Aldi ones that I picked up because of their price. Entry level product .. poor cut, inferior material .. IMHO.

If I were to get a new one I would call my mate at 'The Awning Man'. Excellent 'come to you service' from a real professional at competitive prices. I know that he does lots of work in Ipswich, my old home town.

https://theawningman.com.au

blissonwheels · Senior Member

Gooday,

Still trying to work out are we talking about a Roll out Awning or the sidewalls for the Thule Awning you already have?. For either I would suggest you look at Aussie Traveller at Clontarf/Redcliffe for either.

PeterD · Guru

I have not seen annexes fitted to Thule awnings. You could try something like this Thule EasyLink Tent. They are available from ATRV at Clontarf.

Tauzer · Newbie

Thanks everyone for your comments. Most helpful

Knackers1928 · Member

Gday Tauzer,

I have Thule 5200 awning and have also purchased a Thule easy link Tent. It is a lightweight alternative to the standard Annex supplied by other suppliers. I find it very easy to put up and take down it is adaptable by zipping and rolling up sides.

I liked the fact that the tent section acts as second roof line which insulates the annex from the awning and this seems to keep the heat down ( we are in WA ) so the sun can be a bit of a killer in summer.

Price wise they are only about $1,400.00 online when wrapped up in its bag it probably only weighs 10 kg approx.

Just my 2 cents and hope it helps.

regards Knackers

Cupie · Guru

Knackers1928 wrote:
Gday Tauzer,
I have Thule 5200 awning and have also purchased a Thule easy link Tent. It is a lightweight alternative to the standard Annex supplied by other suppliers. I find it very easy to put up and take down it is adaptable by zipping and rolling up sides.
I liked the fact that the tent section acts as second roof line which insulates the annex from the awning and this seems to keep the heat down ( we are in WA ) so the sun can be a bit of a killer in summer.
Price wise they are only about $1,400.00 online when wrapped up in its bag it probably only weighs 10 kg approx.
Just my 2 cents and hope it helps.
regards Knackers

Exactly. I wouldn't hesitate. That's the one.