Thanks everyone for you replies to my previous post about purchasing a annex.
I contacted The Awningman to make an inquiry regarding a a quote for an annex. When I told him what type of awning I had he told me he wouldnt sell me an annex for a Thule awning because they arent strong enough to cope with the weight of an annex and have poor wind resistance.
I thought I would aske experienced caravaners for their comments.
Thanks Heaps
garyt said
10:38 PM Jan 21, 2021
We have always had 'traditional' pull-down caravan awnings.
On our new camper we have a Thule Omnistor 5200. I have to admit that l have always regarded them - and been told that they were only a 'fair-weather' awning.
However - ours came with the Aussie Traveller anti-flap system and it has been extremely stable. Has far exceeded our expectations. When things get REALLY windy - we take it in - like every other awning owner. Whilst at 'windy' Seaspray on the 90 mile beach recently - it did blow a bit and we put a strap across the top of the awning to stop it billowing. Worked a treat.
Wouldn't hesitate to have one in the future.
PeterD said
09:13 AM Jan 22, 2021
If you would like a cassette style awning I would suggest you look at the Aussie Traveller Coolibah Awning. They are a little heavier than the European style types. They are wonderful in windy conditions. I sit under mine and watch all those with roll-out awnings roll them in and out as the wind conditions change.
I started using them as I will not attach a roll out awning to the top of a pop-top van. In the early days, I had observed how those distorted the pop-tops on vans. I was using the old sheet with annex poles until I discovered the Coolibah Today I would consider putting a Coolibah on any van. They handle stiff breezes better than roll out types with the anti-flap bars in place.
In the link I showed above, there is a demonstration of how to erect them. It is shown on a camper trailer but the same erection applies on caravans apart from the way the correction of the camper trailer lid is involved. There is a little more time taken to erect them than erecting a roll out awning and tying them down. but less than if you are putting on the anti-flap bars.
Mamil said
07:48 PM Jan 22, 2021
I had a Thule Omnistor 5200 on my van. It is pretty flimsy by itself, but I would always use it with Thule side rafters (similar to the anti-flap kits), Thule corner tie-down kit (the black webbing straps in the photo), and Cgear privacy screens pegged to the ground with bungees, and this strengthened the whole structure considerably.
-- Edited by Mamil on Friday 22nd of January 2021 10:32:23 PM
Thanks everyone for you replies to my previous post about purchasing a annex.
I contacted The Awningman to make an inquiry regarding a a quote for an annex. When I told him what type of awning I had he told me he wouldnt sell me an annex for a Thule awning because they arent strong enough to cope with the weight of an annex and have poor wind resistance.
I thought I would aske experienced caravaners for their comments.
Thanks Heaps
On our new camper we have a Thule Omnistor 5200. I have to admit that l have always regarded them - and been told that they were only a 'fair-weather' awning.
However - ours came with the Aussie Traveller anti-flap system and it has been extremely stable. Has far exceeded our expectations. When things get REALLY windy - we take it in - like every other awning owner. Whilst at 'windy' Seaspray on the 90 mile beach recently - it did blow a bit and we put a strap across the top of the awning to stop it billowing. Worked a treat.
Wouldn't hesitate to have one in the future.
If you would like a cassette style awning I would suggest you look at the Aussie Traveller Coolibah Awning. They are a little heavier than the European style types. They are wonderful in windy conditions. I sit under mine and watch all those with roll-out awnings roll them in and out as the wind conditions change.
I started using them as I will not attach a roll out awning to the top of a pop-top van. In the early days, I had observed how those distorted the pop-tops on vans. I was using the old sheet with annex poles until I discovered the Coolibah Today I would consider putting a Coolibah on any van. They handle stiff breezes better than roll out types with the anti-flap bars in place.
In the link I showed above, there is a demonstration of how to erect them. It is shown on a camper trailer but the same erection applies on caravans apart from the way the correction of the camper trailer lid is involved. There is a little more time taken to erect them than erecting a roll out awning and tying them down. but less than if you are putting on the anti-flap bars.
I had a Thule Omnistor 5200 on my van. It is pretty flimsy by itself, but I would always use it with Thule side rafters (similar to the anti-flap kits), Thule corner tie-down kit (the black webbing straps in the photo), and Cgear privacy screens pegged to the ground with bungees, and this strengthened the whole structure considerably.
-- Edited by Mamil on Friday 22nd of January 2021 10:32:23 PM
Thanks heaps for your response