I have a Carefree awning on my Windsor van that has delaminated and is now more Gorilla tape than awning. The van has been booked in twice over the last 6 months to have a replacement awning fitted, only to have the booking postponed as the replacement awning was not available. Once again, it is booked in for next month with the awning on back order.
When I check with the awning people this week, if it is not likely to arrive by the booking date I think I might just haves the Carefree awning totally removed and have a different brand installed. I have been told that the Aussie Traveller, the Dometic and the Fiammi are all good.
Are there any suggestions as to what is a good awning for an 18 foot van, easy to erect and take down, and has spare parts available if ever required?
I have had a Dometic awning since the birth of my aluminium tent. The vinyl roof lasted 7 years then it decided to ride on ahead. I replaced the Vinyl and roller only as that was available at time and after two years still looks in good nick. I must admit though, the quality of the replacement vinyl doesn't look as good as the original so it will probably ride on ahead earlier. Hopefully before me anyway.
Keep Safe out there mate.
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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)
Hi Doug. The vinyl on my awning has been on for ten years. I thought about getting the vinyl only replaced but was told that it all came in one bit, roller and vinyl. Apparently due to Covid and other things, replacements have been hard to source. I was told the next shipment arrives in Oz in February and that mine will be in that lot. A bit "your cheques in the mail" scenario.
I have had great reports about the Dometic and might go that way. I think most replacement fabrics these days are made with a limited life span. If I have to replace the vinyl in a few short years that is much better than sitting under metres of Gorilla tape.
My previous van had a Carefree, my current one has a Dometic. I can't say how they wear over time because I haven't outworn anything. The Carefree was obviously a new replacement, the fabric seemed quite new compared to the age of the van. To me, based on observation, the carefree fabric seemed thinner than on the dometic. The roller and bits seem "heavier" on the dometic. I would say, solely on observation, that the dometic seems to be a bit heftier. BUT my new van is a bit bigger than my previous so I can't say that that is in indication of quality or just that it's heftier because it's bigger. If I had the option, I'd choose dometic over the carefree, depending on price. It just seems more solid, but I'd be happy with either.
Any fabric that gets cooked by the sun will perish over time.
I have had Dometic vinyl replaced 3 times, once because I scraped it against corner of building (insurance), twice under warranty (vinyl delaminating) - there are a few companies specialising in vinyl replacement - I would use one of them, OEM vinyl is definitely of inferior quality.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
If it is only the fabric that has degraded then it might be an idea to enquire at an upholsterer or more like a tent and tarp maker or repairer.
You may get a better quality fabric from those types of companies as they generally stand by their work and it will reflect in the quality of the material they use.
If you need mechanical parts replacement then I think Dometic is as good as any that you may choose from.
Thanks for the replies. I think most of the vinyl replacements will be of similar quality. The vinyl I have now has lasted for nearly ten years although there were a few years when the van was stored and not used.
I was told by several repair places that I could not just have the vinyl replaced and that they would only replace it if the roller was also included as it involved too much labour to do the vinyl alone.
I think if my replacement is not in this shipment I will go with the Dometic. I thought about using an upholsterer Rick but they would only do the actual vinyl and then I had to go to a caravan place for the connection to the roller and fitting. It was then back to the same scenario of doing the roller and vinyl as one job and not just replacing the vinyl.
