Alternatives to an annex

markf · Senior Member

Alternatives to an annex

Possum3 · Guru

Mark, on our off road trailer I attached a strip of velcro (hook) tape along leading edge on side of "tent" -then purchased lightweight blue plastic tarp and sewed velcro (loop) tape along one edge - simple to attach then extend and pull out. Copper grommets put in opposite edge and lightweight twine attached to suspend to poles and pegs. - the heavy canvas has been relegated to shed and never used again (also the blue tarp heeeeaps easier to take down and store in locker.

Whenarewethere · Guru

We used to use a fairly light weight plastic tarp. It worked well, but in hot weather the heat off the underside was a bit too much at times.

We replaced it with an ARB awning which is a cotton based fabric. It is much cooler underneath than a plastic based fabric.

If you want a cover for heat reasons use a cotton based material, & as light coloured as possible.

Mike Harding · Guru

When I was swag/tent camping in the High Country I made a really good tarp shelter from sail tracking, a few pieces of 6mm dowel and a quality tarp.

You can either use a couple of tent poles and guys to hold the other end of the tarp and thus have a "roof" or angle the tarp directly to the ground and secure it with tent pegs and create a "wall".

Worked well for me in the worst of weathers.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Cheers,

Peter

Whenarewethere · Guru

Have a look at ARB Wind breaks, maybe you can adapt one without too much of a circus.

https://www.arb.com.au/tents-swags-awnings/awnings-and-accessories/

' Manufactured from lightweight PU coated 300gsm poly cotton canvas

Waterproof and UV protected with a UVP 50+ rating

Designed to suit ARB 2500, 2000 and 1250 model awnings

Tie down points for each wind break to further secure the awning '

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

Hey markf. I had similar camper set-up years ago. I made a broomstick with hook on end to put through zipper. Walked along using stick in one hand and held, feed canvas with other. This made my set up easy to attach/zip on.

Rob Driver · Guru

A few years ago I visited Midge Point and stayed in the caravan park.

At that time there was a sign there that stated

* no tarps* and *no gazebos* permitted.

The park was virtually empty and I could not help but note the general bad attitude of the male manager.

I have not seen this in other parks and I found it a strange rule to have in an area where tents and camper trailers would be accepted.

Mind you I have seen several Gazebos collapse during periods of heavy rain.

Regards

Rob

StreetsAhead · Veteran Member

Markf as you can see with my forward fold camper trailer, I have two annexes. One is the full annexe, where I have to support the roof with poles and it can also have fully enclosed sides and floor.

But like you I think its way to heavy and bulky and I have never used it. maybe if I was planning a trip for 2 weeks in one spot. This annexe and all its poles are stored in the garage.

I use the Travel annexe that also came with the camper. This is a single piece of canvas that zips (and also has a strip of velcro) across the top of the windows. It is held up by 3 poles. This annexe can also be folded back across the top of the camper and folded up with the rest of the canvas, so it never needs to be removed. I usually carry this annexe plus the skirt that clips around the bottom of the camper to stop the breeze whistling underneath, and that's all I use. All of this was supplied with my camper when I bought it. I am thinking of having this annexe extended I think an extra metre and a half over the kitchen area would be better, and just 2 extra poles for support.

StreetsAhead · Veteran Member

Also forgot to add, my zips have a metre of parachute cord attached to each zip, so you can just walk along and pull the zip closed or open. No need for ladders or platform shoes.

-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Friday 25th of June 2021 03:46:07 PM

markf · Senior Member

Thank you one and all.

We already have a pole with a hook on one end but getting the zip over the peak of the main trailer tent is a real bear which just about renders the hook and pole as well as the parachute cord options just about useless.

An OKA is a worthy suggestion but the cost is a little high for us. We also prefer the camper trailer option... smile

A decent sized tarp seems the go so a trip to Bunnings was in order after measuring up the camper. The Big Green Shed has a bewildering array of tarps 'n stuff and we eventually settled on a medium weight tarp and a couple of packets of tarp clips. Of course seeing it's the Big Green Shed we just had to get a few bits of other stuff too.

We've put it up in the driveway and it seems like it'll work well and we can consign the half acre of 14oz canvas to the garage along with the rest of the canvass which we've never used (walls, floor, walls, draft skirt, etc.)

As an added bonus we get a heap of storage space back as well as shedding a few 10's of kilos.

Once again, thanks for the ideas and I'll let everyone know how it all works out.

markf · Senior Member

Well, so far so good. With a 3.5 x 5.5 tarp, a few tarp clips and a few carabiners with 3 poles and guy ropes it seems pretty solid. So much easier than the 14oz canvas to erect. First time ever took about 15 or 20 minutes. Now that we know what were doing it should be a lot faster. We are happy.

-- Edited by markf on Tuesday 29th of June 2021 06:16:59 PM

-- Edited by markf on Tuesday 29th of June 2021 06:17:44 PM

-- Edited by markf on Tuesday 29th of June 2021 06:18:06 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

markf wrote:
Well, so far so good. With a 3.5 x 5.5 tarp, a few tarp clips and a few carabiners with 3 poles and guy ropes it seems pretty solid. So much easier than the 14oz canvas to erect. First time ever took about 15 or 20 minutes. Now that we know what were doing it should be a lot faster. We are happy.

A Tautline hitch & Truckers hitch are probably the 2 best knots. You do not need any gadgets.

The Truckers hitch, if you need four times the ratio double up the hitch.