Hi everyone, being a new nomad and experiencing winter in South Australia. I'd like some advice on the use of Awning's in windy weather. In speaking with fellow travellers so far we have heard the old saying "wind up roll up". The last month or so here in Adelaide has seen some serious weather go thru with winds well over 50k's plus. Is there a rating that the van awnings are built to or do I continue to roll up once the forecast is for above 35k's ??
Cheers
Greg
-- Edited by Salus on Friday 12th of August 2016 01:21:13 PM
-- Edited by Salus on Friday 12th of August 2016 01:44:55 PM
A long awning becomes a very large sail. I always roll up and never leave out when away from van for any length of time when gusty conditions are forecas. I don't want to return and find the awning wrapped around the van.
10 yrs ago. In Foreshore van park. Visiting specialist surgeon second row back from front vans. Awning up and drooped one side for forecast rain. light winds.
4 am. Super winds rising. 5 AM. Pissin' rain, wind peaking just under 90 knots. Me nekkid Di in nightie. Ploke next door on way to work helping. holding frame down till it past.
Full annexe up Third day of 7 day visit. You can NOT disassemble them in this weather. It ripped rollout canvas. 85% of way down van OF the side of van. and I had to drive back as far as Brissie for Aussie Traveller to replace. Frame roped to side of van.
Lesson.
No matter what others do or say. Specially down there. Either half roll in and lower one side (for rain)or all of front, overnight. or roll it in. If annexe out.Well. It's your choice.
-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 12th of August 2016 02:15:26 PM
There is no recommended wind speed that an awning will stand before giving up and flying ! usually over the top of the van and causing damage.
Why take the risk ? if wind is expected and you are in a position that could cop it, just wind it in and be safe, seen far too many blow away, and once the wind rises they are a bugger of a thing to roll up then.
I always check the weather reports wherever we are "just in case" had one fly once, never again. In most coastal areas the wind can and does appear to come up over night or in the early hours if a front is passing through, roll it in before bed and sleep well, no rattles and bangs and worry.
As said they are a giant sail, even a small one can be 12 sq/mtres !
Welcome to the gang Greg, enjoy here and out in the playground.
OH! and your awning.
I have had mine out in 100km winds, twice. I was facing north and the weather came in from the west, south west. I always have two ropes attached to the metal end and another two attached to the roller. Both ends. I attach these by a black rubber bungee like strap and have long heavy duty pegs. In other words, 4 ropes each end. There is also another rope attached in the middle of the awning pegged as well. I also have the full anti flap kit set up. One rope going lengthways over the awning and pegged to the ground each end. It would take about 10 mins to take everything down and roll up. Longer if I pack up to go though.
All that is only if set up for any length of time, to make it worth it. For example, Greens Lake in north central VIC. My set up is known as 'Rope City'.
I am not saying to leave it out in the wind, just I have and safely at the time. There is always the chance it will take off.
My very first time with my awning out was much different when strong winds came in from same direction and panic stations hit at same time as wind. I learnt heaps that day. ROPES and plenty of them.
I know others that do the same as me successfully but also know others that have lost their awning in strong wind.
My awning hasn't been out since I arrived in Townsville as set up in Daughters drive way and can't. I really miss my awning, it is one of the best things about my van.
YOUR CALL, GREG.
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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)
we're like most of the others. When travelling I check the weather forecast everyday (as it usually changes from the forecast days). If theres predications for gusty or strong winds - I close the awning - other than any stuff you may have underneath, it only takes about 10 mins to close and much practice makes perfect lol.
Like Dougwe, I have 2 ropes attached to each end of the opened awning - one at right angles and the other in a straight line. I have flat bungee cords (from Bunnings) over the awning roller - to prevent round bungee cords rolling into the awning cloth. I bought about 6 glav'd star pickets from BCF which are about 18" long and have a large hook at the top end. I drive them in at right angles to the tie down cords and the awning will go nowhere.
The only risk is if you have it out in high winds and "nailed down" like me and Dougwe, is the awning cloth could rip, the roller arm buckling or worse - it damages the attachment to your van and also damages the internal framing in your 'van.
So I play it safe (if we're not out sightseeing when the wind unexpectedly arrives) and always close the awning in predicted wind. I also keep on eye on the clouds (looking for high wind or storm clouds)
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We are at base camp at the moment and have had high winds with the awning/annex out. I did an old boy scout trick and put guy tie downs across the diagonal of the awning and pegged them hard into mother earth. I believe that once you peg down the struts the whole affair is pretty well protected.
The straps OVER the awning dampen the upward movement, I have rafters inside to dampen the downward aspect. So far, touch wood we have been OK.
We had huge winds at Port Lincoln and Wallaroo last trip and rolled the whole lot up, better not to risk too much damage.
Hope this is useful, cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
I have a Fiamma 45 awning. It appears to be standard stock on 2006 Jayco Conquest motorhomes. I found the pamphlet for it, in all the bookwork The pamphlet mentioned that this was a sunshade awning, and not suitable for use in rain or wind, or words to that effect
If you say what brand of awning you have, I am sure that if anyone has that type, they will give you a much better answer than I have
Dougwe that's pretty much how we do ours . Have 30mm strap to go across as I found rope was a little prone to frey the awning . Use screw in pegs or the steel angle pegs depending on soil type .
I only just got new rope for the length of the awning yesterday, AK, I couldn't find any strap long enough in the big green shed. Where did you get yours please.
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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)
If you have a look at a lot of these awnings fitted to some Rvs ,there very flimsy in design puny side rails ect, in my opinion the most robust set I have seen is the dometic..
I agree with what has been said here, however keep in mind that the awning also supports a more semi permanent structure, the annex. I would imagine the designers etc were aware that these things will be deployed in winds and rain. We learnt very early the benefit of rafters and guy straps.
Keep smiling.
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Unless things have changed.
The 'Aussie Traveller were the better built. Quality and most robust of them.
I've had 4 so far.
I've bought 2 vans with Carefree on them.
Dumped both for A.T. they absolute rubbish.
Had 2 goes at cutting a new material piece for one of them (insurance).
They got both wrong..??
Roof rafters and side anti-flap clamps are the most important accessory,
Aussie did a bolt rope system to hold full length of sides.
along with a coupla guy ropes.
and I find the "screw" pegs much more efficient and stronger holding
than the straight push in ones. even when crossed.
I bought some Stainless round bar dia to suit. and had a local fabricator roll 1\2 a doz at 1in dia
1\2 doz at 2 in dia to suit soil.
then ground tips on them plus welded rings on top.
Keep some stright/thick ones for stoney ground and 4 lb Mash hammer.
There's a place South af Adelaide that does good ones too.
When push comes to shove the 'only' way to protect your awning in very strong winds is to roll it in immediately you see the clouds gather and winds pick up...winds swirl in all directions unfortunately and the awning becomes a sail as already pointed out and the struts are like match sticks ripping the attachments from the fibre glass walls/anchor points.....and the awning goes up and over and tears off like a cling wrap dispenser....my wife was holding onto this one and it lifted her off the ground...I was out prospecting..fierce wind came up fast with little warning....all the R/V's in our little bush camp suffered similar type damage...and we had tie downs of various descriptions...anchored in very hard ground...to no avail in a determined wind storm....photos of our 'Carefree' awning..how ironic is that?... on our Heritage...not a pretty sight and located between Laverton and Leonora W.A....it was a longggg way home to Eaglehawk Vic.
$2500 later we have brand new 'Carefree' which will never be left out in any type of wind storm again....at Beachfront sites now we are invariably the first to bring ours in.....and its amazing how the desire catches like osmosis with others owners who do likewise....Hoo Roo
Hi All and thanks for the welcome and tips. Another forecast of 35 to 50 km winds this Thurs. I think I will rollup the 6m (Dometic) Awning and sleep easy.
Cheers Everyone and safe travels
Greg & Denise (Salus Couple)
-- Edited by Salus on Sunday 14th of August 2016 10:59:00 AM
What will happen if you have the annex set up Is it wise to take it down as well ???
I'm just wandering what is the right thing to do
Cheers John
Hi John
I have recently had an annexe made for my roll out awning but have not used it in a wind yet.
I have had the awning out a few times when strong winds and rain started and soon put mine down until the weather improved.
I did note while all, or at least most of the awnings around me were retracted during the weather event, the ones with the annexes erected weren't dismantled.
It would go without saying that all window flaps and door openings on an annexe would need to be shut tight during high winds.
An awning only takes a few minutes to let down or should I say roll up, but an annexe can be a different story.
-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Sunday 14th of August 2016 12:03:30 PM
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"Seek the truth or bury you head in the sand, both require some digging"
Doughe . Like this one . Just longer . https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/252089070211
Thanks AK. I've seen similar in shops but not the longer ones. Without measuring I reckon I would need 9mts minimum. I will have a good look on evilbay.
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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)
A decent. Annexe. connected to a decent roll out. is, because it sealed.
safe in most winds. Just don't open it up anywhere.
Wind in. Walls gone.
Mine was fine for around 40 min's as winds peaked at well over 70 knots.
as it "slowly" peeled the bolt rope out of it's sleeve from the centre.
Once that happened. well.
Ripped the rollout material 3\4 way along the van wall
til I got it under control with a stanley knife.
Quick drop of annexe then with 4 people.
It was a calm night at start till around 4ish am. with NO wind forecast.
I'm an ex Yachttie so pretty keen on weather obs.
But normally.
If you half roll it in and drop one side a bit for any rain,
They'll handle 90+ % of most things.
Sorry Goldfinger. I've had 2 Carefree. Both rubish in mFG and fit.
Know of a few others too with same problems.
The best ones I've seen, Quality wise are the Aussie Traveller South of the Bridge in Brissie.
One in Morphet Vale SA. and I believe one in the West is good too.
The best ones I've seen, Quality wise are the Aussie Traveller South of the Bridge in Brissie. One in Morphet Vale SA. and I believe one in the West is good too.
But I'm a coupla yrs out of touch nowadays.
Macka, that one in Morphett Vale, SA, could that be Halls Canvas?
Cheers, John.
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
YEP.
He had good reputation during our travels in those days.
saw a few of his annexes mainly and camper trlr canvas too
Haven't done much vanning in last 6 ish yrs.
Flying instead. but the ways of the world.
we bought another van again for local work and dams.
Planes and most foreign country's. Nowadays.
Hmmmm. Maybe not.
Apart fron a trip to N.C. to see new (11th) Grandkid next May
and Brother in Canada maybe.
Pretty safe so far that way.
Across States the iffy bit. W. to E.
I have a 15 ft 6in Aussie Traveller Annexe. used maybe 3 times. bit dirty in one section
where it was folded and stored in Wheel arch box for 10 yrs.
But basically new.
This is my set up Aussie Traveller antiflap said with a central rafter and two spring loaded ropes at each end. I also have an end and side wall to use as required. It is much stronger than the original "sun shade" but if the wind comes up down it comes, it takes only a few minutes. I have had nightmares of that awning doing a back flip in strong winds so for a good nights sleep I always roll it in at the first sign of a windy session. Cheers Gary,
I'll drop this here, wondering if a post with members showing the way they set up their rollouts/awings would be interesting knowledge for newbies like myself. Photo of overall setup, one of the corners, one of different pegs used, any clear shots will give better understanding. Untill reading this post it never crossed my mind about extra guide ropes for rollout awings. Cheer
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Life Was Ment To Be Easy If You Have The Ability To Adapt
It all depends on the forecast on whether I roll up my awning when set up like this.
If the wind is forecast at 35kph or greater and will be coming TOWARD the van - eg allowing the wind to get under the awning and therefore creating a 'sail' - then rolled up it goes.
However, if the wind is coming from from either end or from behind the van I usually only react to forecast winds gusting above 50kph.
Having said, that I have been caught a couple of times and had the awning still out, set up as shown, in 80kph gusts without damage.
I use Aussie-Traveller Anti-flaps on each end and three rafters.
I also 'modified' some hinges (see photo attached) to use as 'internal' rope holders so the middle of the roller doesn't keep raising and lowering in the wind. I have found that the roller, because of it's length, needs to be secured or it just keeps going up and down in the wind which I don't like.
I'll drop this here, wondering if a post with members showing the way they set up their rollouts/awings would be interesting knowledge for newbies like myself. Photo of overall setup, one of the corners, one of different pegs used, any clear shots will give better understanding. Untill reading this post it never crossed my mind about extra guide ropes for rollout awings. Cheer
Hi CC Bear,
i can remember when I got my van I bought it second hand and many things operational were a real "magical mystery tour" until I nutted my way through all the accessories.
The awning was confusing until I did a search on Utube and found a vid that was easy to understand and follow.
My awning came with some extra tie downs and the type I have are the first ones listed in this link.
