I have a ventura awning and prchased a cheap storm strap to go over the top. I understand they can cause rubbing but was only planning to use it when windy. does this seem appropriate? do people use them all the time?
I could buy an integral inner strap that would set me back £20-25 but this cheap one was only £5. Is the rubbing concern really an issue.
I'd also like to know if it causes the fabric to wear...I'm presuming it will eventually, so what can we put over the strap to stop it ?? How about pipe lagging ?? or a couple of sponges ??
When I had our Trio awning converted into a combi, I had attachments fitted for storm straps at the same time. It was not expensive, and is far better than the risk of scuffing the awning. Putting a strap over the awning and then trying to fit any form of protection can be futile. Severe winds can cause such protection to work loose.
You see examples of both. Some people leave storm straps on (especially seasonal pitchers) and some people put them on when the forecast suggests they're going to need it. I wouldn't leave an 'over the top' type storm strap on an awning which is left erected for several weeks or months, but I'm guessing that they're fine for a week or two per year.
Personally, when I have laid in the van at night with a howling gale blowing outside I find myself wishing for/or being thankful for the dearest and safest options!
We have a Ventura Atlantic and bought some of the internal storm straps, as Isabella are linked to Ventura then the storm straps were the Isabella versions. These storm straps are great, easy to adjust and do not rub on the awning as they fit around the tops of the upright poles(two ends and one centre). Another advantage is that because they fit inside then you dont create another trip hazard outside the awning. http://www.isabella.net/uk/accessories/isabella-accessj.html
If you want to stick with the "over the roof type" then as above we have used pipe lagging and slide it along so that it sits over the parts that touch the awning. Also to prevent the storm strap making a "humming" sound when windy then twist the strap so it has twists in the section between the awning end and ground as this will prevent this,
it was the isabella internal one that was the more expensive version i saw. caravan/accessories already gone over budget so baulked at further expense. not sure what to do now, will have to have a think.
I used an over the top storm strop recently in heavy rain and wind. Whilst I did feel that the awning was more secure (Izabella awning) for the first time ever my awning leaked which totally confused me. The awning is an Izabella Penta and it leaked exactly at the centre point where the strop went over. I am not sure now wether the awning strop against the roof caused the awning to leak or......
whether I have developed a leaky awning...
If it is possible that the over the top strop caused this... then I would certainly not consider using one again.
We also use the Isabella Internal Storm Straps on our Ambassador Awning. Part of the reason was because we found the external straps tending to flab against the awning roof in the wind (even with padding) and the noise could be quite irritating. We found it money well spent, but don't know if they're any better or not than the external 'over the roof straps
We would also use the straps every time the awning goes up. The wind can pick up suddenly where ever you camp - you don't fancy having to fit them a 3 am on a soggy night do you?
We do have the quick connect type though so it's only a couple of minutes job to do!
We have the inbuilt ones like those in Michaels picture, they're excellent. I also put on under the canopy but over the frame on the veranda frame outisde front. I don't fanct losing my awing due to a blowover, the damage to the van may also be severe.
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Topic: storm straps
