We just paid deposit on avan francis caravan bit worried about the prostor awning and light weight annex how successful are they is it better to upgrade to dometic awning
Welcome to the gang Dawney, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have recently looked at the Avan caravans myself and sorry to say that their proster awning came well short of my needs and most deffinately didn't cut the mustard. I reckon the first gust of wind that turned up would take it for a ride IMO and I tell you that for free.
__________________
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)
Our Avan Liam came with the Prostor awning and we bought the Prostor annex, we haven't used the annex much but although I was initially disappointed with the Prostor awning we haven't had a problem with it, it seems a bit on the light side but no worries yet. I thought I might replace the awning with something a bit sturdier if there was a problem but touch wood, no worries after I used it a few times and got used to it.
-- Edited by Diggings on Sunday 7th of September 2014 02:09:18 PM
My previous van (GoldStream RV Explorer) had an Dometic A&E awning. Nice and sturdy and the only thing that started to fail on it was the awning material itself - fading and cracking in the top most parts that were constantly exposed to the elements.
My current van has the Prostor awning. Am a lot more nervous about this awning when there is gusty conditions. If ever it fails, I will replace with an A&E.
We had a pretty vigorous storm Tuesday night and I had the Prostor awning out and the long side of the annexe, the wind was blowing so hard and the rain pouring down I couldn't get out to put the awning in, however there was no damage next morning and I was very pleased with the strength of the awning.
One good reason for upgrading from the Prostor awning to a more traditional awning is that the winding mechanism on the Prostor is very difficult to buy as a spare part, should the internal gears get stripped.
I found this out recently when I over exerted the winder and when I tried to buy the gear, I found that it's no longer manufactured. I believe the company is now using a manufacturer in China to make copies of the winder but supply is severely constraint and these parts are on backorder for several months.
Here are the details of the part anyway, should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing to replace it.
Part number is 4453001106, approx cost is $120 includes GST.
You can order it from online stores like: https://www.caravansplus.com.au/gear-pwpr-all-p-19658.html
Or email Dometic directly - spareparts@dometic.com.au
However, you will end up waiting for many months.
In order not to stress the mechanism, I will now give a helping hand to shut the awning completely by reaching up and pushing the awning into the fully shut position whilst someone is turning the handle.
Going to a conventional awning, the issue of parts will be greatly reduced, not to mention that you can get anti-flapping devices for strong wind conditions - the Prostor awning does not have the cross member where anti-flapping devices can attach to.
-- Edited by tempestv8 on Friday 9th of December 2022 03:51:09 PM
-- Edited by tempestv8 on Friday 9th of December 2022 04:33:12 PM
-- Edited by tempestv8 on Friday 9th of December 2022 05:17:30 PM
Thule make a similar awning to Prostor although it is also a lighter style of awning - The quality of Dometic awning is just OK but I consider it the best of a bad lot.
__________________
Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
We were talking to a couple camped near us at Mallacoota. Their Avan had a lightweight awning. We advised them to pack it up if they were leaving camp because Mallacoota is a very windy location.
We went out for the day & when we got back to camp their awning had gone right over the top of their caravan.
Inside there was a long crack where the wall joined the ceiling.
My advise would be to get a Dometic Sunchaser roll out awning.
The Proster & Fiammia awnings are lightweight.
__________________
There might be no Wi-Fi connection in the forest but I promise that you'll find a better connection.
I also have a Prostor (500) awning and it has started to slip. I have not yet pulled it apart as I need to use the motorhome soon, so I need to source the part first. The photo you posted doesn't seem to have the bit on the bottom that the winder connects into. Is that "engagment bit" separate when you pull it apart and I would just use my existing one?
I found the attached images on the internet, one that shows the bottom bit and also an exploded view which seems to show your image as part #20 and the engagement bit as Part #22. Does that make sense to you given that you have pulled one apart (and I am yet to do so)?
I have a Thule awning on my Adria MH. I also had the same brand on my previous Autotrail MH. I understand they are very similar in design to your Prostor. Both examples have stood the test of time, 6 years and now 3 years. In both cases I have used the Aussie Traveller anti flap kit, an excellent design. Additionally I use two ropes at each end to provide extra support in windy conditions. Normally I watch the wind forecast and pull the awning in if winds are predicted above around 35kph. However last year at Crescent Heads we were caught out by a very strong front with winds above 50kph. The anti flap kit and ropes saved the awning. My suggestion is add the AT anti flap kit & ropes to your travel kit.cheers,
