PS. our 2012 annex lives up on a shelve in the shed as we do not have a vision to using it on our travels. The original owners only put it up once, so it was a waste of money.
Glenn the only answer to weight question can come from annex manufacturer = totally dependent on fabric and hardware of said annex.
Everyone we have met that has purchased a full awning has regretted their decision and leaves annex at home - the are too much hassle to put up for less than a week stay in one spot, they consume valuable limited weight carrying capacity. Awning and light privacy screens are a much better option IMHO.
Put off buying annex until you have a few trips under your belt, save the money for other necessities.
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Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
We only have a car. The last 3 month trip didn't bother to use our ARB awning once. Before that very rarely used it. It is 2.0m wide & 2.0 long awning 12kg.
As others have said, do a trip without one, then a trip with a simply ground sheet & cheap sticks to see if you want to bother with an awning.
More unnecessary weight taken from one's limited payload.
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My van is only around 16ft, it came with an annex. It's a sort of heavy duty vinyl and it weighs quite a lot and is also quite bulky in size when folded up. I had a look at it but haven't bothered putting it up because it seems quite fiddly to do. As your van is bigger, yours would be bulkier and heavier. As mentioned, there's also the weight of the ropes and springs.
I just bought some privacy screens. They are light and fold up small. I haven't used them yet. Mostly I am out and about, I don't really sit outside the van. Also I haven't been away in the heat so as to need them for shade yet.
I'd only bother taking the annex if I were going to stay longish term at one place so it was worthwhile putting up. I don't do that, I tend to take short trips. because I have to pay to board my pets, so I'll probably never use it.
I agree with the advice to wait and see whether you think you need one.
When I bought my van, new, four years past I looked at annexes but decided to wait until I'd used the van for a few months before deciding - I still don't own an annex.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
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Thanks for the responses.
After reading them I have decided to shelve the full annex idea and wait and see if required later.
Now thinking of a smaller version, a skirt on the van to keep the dog in and the wind out, one end wall. and a front end wall I can also use to cover the slide out kitchen.
(I already have a mesh side wall}
An annex is good if you regularly camp in really poor weather or perhaps have young children/grandchildren but, in general, in Australia, I don't think they earn their keep.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
I stay in places for a while usually and have just got privacy screens all round with an opening either end or side, depending on location I am set up in. I find them great and light weight. Privacy during the day but if a light is on under awning at night you can see in from outside. That's no problem for me but you were naked or getting changed under the awning you will be seen. That might be good though as there might not be anyone around in the morning as you frightened them all away In my case the whole area would be empty.
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We have an Annex and at every stop longer than 3 days. It can be bucketing down horizontal rain and wind you still have an extra room at your disposal.
I would never go without a full Annex.
A full annex was one of the first accessories that we got for our van 25 years ago and it has lived in the back shed for at least the last 5 years.
It was great when we used to take our Grandchildren with us for extended stays at the beach. Could set up a separate room for them & direct A/C through a side window into their space when needed.
As we moved to a touring life I made a rule that it would only go up if the weather was poor (cold or raining hard), or we were to be stationary for a week or more.
Then Privacy screens came on the market.
After ditching poor quality ALDI stuff we outfitted the van with 2X side panels (includes one for the whole of the fridge side) and two ends. So much lighter & easy to erect. Privacy is not as good but is acceptable.
If I were going to a single local area for a few weeks, I would probably take the annex .. just because I can!
But as suggested by Gundog in heavy rain the annex is far superior, and the same in strong windstorms.
I would save the circa $2000 for an annex and buy a set of good quality privacy screens (eg. Coast to Coast?) for around $500.
We have an Annex and at every stop longer than 3 days. It can be bucketing down horizontal rain and wind you still have an extra room at your disposal. I would never go without a full Annex.
X2. Did the same. Useful for cooking outside if you don't want the fumes inside. Extra room that is welcome
when you don't think you would need it. 3 days or more is about the right balance for the time spent erecting
it and packing it up. Privacy screens great for the shorter stay. With the unpredictable weather these days,
it's nice to have a fully enclosed dry space outside the van.
We went up to Arlie for a week or so and the rain for a few days was pouring down. I carry my annex and when the forecast came I put it up. Mum and I were glad for a larger area than the van. I recon mine ways about 60 kilos. It is in 3 bags plus the bars and the springs and pegs.
If we go away longer I will always take mine.
Privacy Screen 3.7 each side (Don't have the actual end weights but I estimate them to be 1.5Kg each) = 10.4 Kg appx
Saving by using privacy screens .... 25.4 Kg (that's about 6 casks of wine)
Oops .. Forgot the pegs & shock cord, but using plastic screw ins & rubber bands from old inner tubes the weight is negligible and the same for both options.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 20th of January 2023 03:23:55 PM
Privacy Screen 3.7 each side (Don't have the actual end weights but I estimate them to be 1.5Kg each) = 10.4 Kg appx
Saving by using privacy screens .... 25.4 Kg (that's about 6 casks of wine)
Oops .. Forgot the pegs & shock cord, but using plastic screw ins & rubber bands from old inner tubes the weight is negligible and the same for both options.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 20th of January 2023 03:23:55 PM
Thats interesting Cupie, I have the Jayco canvas annexe, ie 2 ends and front, thats all I need. I carry a bag of pegs and skirt anyway. No poles required,
Total Weight of annexe in bags is 15.9 kg.
Alway take it and use it if staying for 5 days or more.
Cheers.
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Chris & Sharyn.
Mitchells Island. NSW.
2016 D-Max, 2012 Jayco Sterling, 1 dog, wife n me.
Privacy Screen 3.7 each side (Don't have the actual end weights but I estimate them to be 1.5Kg each) = 10.4 Kg appx
Saving by using privacy screens .... 25.4 Kg (that's about 6 casks of wine)
Oops .. Forgot the pegs & shock cord, but using plastic screw ins & rubber bands from old inner tubes the weight is negligible and the same for both options.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 20th of January 2023 03:23:55 PM
Thats interesting Cupie, I have the Jayco canvas annexe, ie 2 ends and front, thats all I need. I carry a bag of pegs and skirt anyway. No poles required,
Total Weight of annexe in bags is 15.9 kg.
Alway take it and use it if staying for 5 days or more.
Cheers.
Yes, I'm sure that modern Annexes are far better & lighter than my old 'technology' heavy but long lasting vinyl from 1999.
Privacy Screen 3.7 each side (Don't have the actual end weights but I estimate them to be 1.5Kg each) = 10.4 Kg appx
Saving by using privacy screens .... 25.4 Kg (that's about 6 casks of wine)
Oops .. Forgot the pegs & shock cord, but using plastic screw ins & rubber bands from old inner tubes the weight is negligible and the same for both options.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 20th of January 2023 03:23:55 PM
Thats interesting Cupie, I have the Jayco canvas annexe, ie 2 ends and front, thats all I need. I carry a bag of pegs and skirt anyway. No poles required,
Total Weight of annexe in bags is 15.9 kg.
Alway take it and use it if staying for 5 days or more.
Cheers.
Yes, I'm sure that modern Annexes are far better & lighter than my old 'technology' heavy but long lasting vinyl from 1999.
The vintage and quality may explain your weight, a mate has recently had a vinyl one made for his 21ft Swift and while I thought it was heavier than mine it is most likely lighter material than yours.
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Chris & Sharyn.
Mitchells Island. NSW.
2016 D-Max, 2012 Jayco Sterling, 1 dog, wife n me.
I cannot inform on the weight but Aussie Traveller make annexes from their EuroWall material, a polyester material, which is lighter than most canvas type annexes. As mentioned in earlier post, ask the manufacturer for a weight estimate.
The annexes are well made. We have one for our van. Custom made and we were able to take the van to the Aussie Traveller premises for measurement and fitting.
I understand Aussie Traveller also allows a van owner to make the appropriate van measurements and after manuafacture of the annex, the owner fits the annex.
-- Edited by watsea on Sunday 22nd of January 2023 10:16:56 PM
-- Edited by watsea on Sunday 22nd of January 2023 10:17:45 PM
Our ARB car awning is canvas. Prior to that we used a silvered ground sheet. On sunny days it was always hot underneath, you could feel the heat coming through the plastic.
The canvas awning is heavier but you don't get the same radiating heat coming through the material.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
