We are going to the IoW at the end of the month. The site we are booked with is in a quite exposed spot I believe and may be very windy.
We would like to use our awning but I am a bit nervous as I've read things about them getting ripped off in high wind and doing big damage to the 'van.
Is it better to forgo using the awning (it is a full size one, a dorema) or is there a way of getting it really secured down and minimising chances of an incident?
Any tips on getting an awning up and down in a windy spot? We had a bit of a cock up the first time we used it and then took it down on a windy day. It was flapping about off the side of the van like mad and as my husband hasn't completely emptied the area stuff got knocked flying everywhere!
Apologies for the fact I am always here asking really stupid questions.
Quote: Originally posted by madspaceangel on 10/5/2013We are going to the IoW at the end of the month. The site we are booked with is in a quite exposed spot I believe and may be very windy.
We would like to use our awning but I am a bit nervous as I've read things about them getting ripped off in high wind and doing big damage to the 'van.
Is it better to forgo using the awning (it is a full size one, a dorema) or is there a way of getting it really secured down and minimising chances of an incident?
Firstly no question is stupid,that's what these forums are for. No matter how big or small, hopefully someone can help. Regarding your awning,I myself have the Dorema full awning. I have purchased a awning pole tensioner. They are brilliant and keep the awning nice and taught. Make sure when you hammer your pegs in,put them at a angle. It was a how I was taught in the scouts,and is much better than putting them in straight. You can also purchase the storm straps for your awning from dorema, I think I paid about £15 for mine. They clip into the clasps on the sides. After that you should be ok. Just keep checking everything is taught, pegs are well into the ground and all ropes and straps are tight. Hope this helps cheers scoobz
Yes, storm straps and delta pegs should do the trick!
Rob gives a discount to UKCS members I think, so mention your user name if you decide to order some.
Half a dozen of the yellow plastic ones should do the trick.
I had 40mph winds when I went to the Outer Hebrides, the awning stayed put - although it was only a small driveaway. Used the storm straps and delta pegs. I now have a larger awning for my caravan, still not like the full awnings on the sides of most caravans though.
Another handy hint - if it gets really rough, park your car in the face of the wind in front or side of your awning if possible.
We have a Dorema Awning and, being on a seasonal pitch, leave it up all year. In addition to the useful tips above, we have added some extra poles to ours to brace it against any winds when we are not there. We got hold of two verandah poles and attached them from the side roof poles onto the centre roof pole (in the centreof the poles)and two extra legs with C clips to support the awning frame at the back where it meets the van side. It has made the awning frame much stronger. We bought the poles (2nd hand) from our local caravan dealer for £16.
ronni thats a cracking idea .i have a heavy duty storm pole been in use in tents ,awnings ,folding campers,trailer tents for the last 40 years i think i bought it when i had my very first cabanon frame tent way back then ,
if your awning has the tie down clips get the strap kit to fit for added security ,if not get a proper awning tie down kit there only about £11
on putting up my dorema,the first thing i do is,thred though without doors because if it windy they act like a sail.fix centre pole and roof support.adjust to the correct height.after this i put a very strong guy rope to the top of the pole and fix down.then i do the left side in the very same way.this means two poles are secured from any windy condition.then do the right side the same way.after this i fit the door panels.after this i peg out all round.then i fit the extra poles on the inside.the two corner storm straps are added with a very strong pegs and spings and tightened.after this i use a good storm strap and heavy pegs to go over the top of the awning at the front of it.the two storm straps are tied together in the centre to stop flapping and give extra strength.all i need to do then is to go round and secure each wing nut as tight as i can get them.i have discovered in windy conditions these do come loose with shaking.no matter where i go after nearly losing the awning at mofat this is done the same way.i hate getting up at three in the morning just to re secure the awning.keswick can be really bad if you ever go there.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
My advice on getting the awning up and down in the wind is as follows. It's going to be a bit long winded but it's never let us down in many years of caravanning on beach front pitches in some serious gales with units around us losing theirs.
We've always removed our panels and kept them seperate from the canopy, therefore they go in last when erecting the awning and come out first when striking it. This allows any wind to blow straight though unitl you've secured the canopy with pegs etc leaving you in control We've always rolled our awnings up upside down, lay it on its roof then after sorting out any loose bits, fold the front toward the caravan side twice then roll it up so you end up with the convertor rail exposed on one end. This allows you to insert this convertor rail into the van and unroll the awning straight into the awning rail on the van without having the canopy unfolded and able to blow about. Pegging it down as you go and finish off by putting the panels in or taking them out dependant upon where the wind is coming from.
To secure our awnings I've always been told I go over the top but, we've never lost one apart from hiaving an annex blow in twice over the years.
On our Dorema awning I've always used their extra storm poles as wel as their storm straps plus adding several simple cheap additions of my own. When the awning is up and the storm straps are fixed, I then slip a length of webbing under the front veranda and over the little poles which hold it up & seure this webbing down to Dog Tether screws placed at the foot of each of the front support upright end poles. Just tie this webbing tight, don't pull the frame to distort it and don't allow the strap to be loose. In addition to this, I always carry a bag of nylon baler twine with me, being a country boy I have access to this but you could buy a length of thin 4 or 6mm rope from a camping centre or B & Q.
I push this string in through the front of the awning through the holes where the veranda poles pass through the canopy, wrap it around the moulding where the uprights meet the roof rails so it's not tied to the pole itself & again I tie this string down to the three Dog tether screw I've put in the ground tight to the awning at each conrner & the centre pole position. Tie this string "just" tight so it's not pulling the frame out of shape but won't allow it to lift. this way the storm straps hold the canopy down, the extra webbing & strings hold the frame and it can't go anywhere.
I've used the ground screws, 9 in total, at the end of the annexes tied with my string as well, they cost about £3 each & the string has been with me for years and was free so I've never bought the expensive items to keep our awnings secure.
Don't forget to twist the storm strap. It stops it buzzing while you're trying to sleep. (it also helps prevent neighbours from throwing bird seed on top of your van )
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Currently on the IOW and it is very windy. Put the awning up for 24 hours and then took it down due the wind. Haven't put it back up.
If the weather is poor then you don't need the awning anyway.
We use the awning a lot as a storage area as we are a family if five two adults two teens and a toddler so have a lot of crapola and would be really cramped in the van if we couldn't offload some of the stuff to the awning. We still sit out in the awning and use it as a pace space when getting the baby to sleep even when the weather is cold and horrid. I also find it useful to have the 'dry space' when the weather is nasty so we can get our wellies and wet coats off and leave them in there rather than all around the 'van.
I thought that's what most folks did?
I've managed without the awning before but I'd really like to have it up if I can.
we could not manage without a full awning if we have the three grandchildren.three bikes,wet coats,wet shoes,and we have tall food store.plus we also eat in the awning if is not cold.then there is the annexe for mums and dads to sleep in.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Hi Madspaceangellunavenus/ coastal camp sites are fantastic especially those with spectacular views, stayed on a few over the years the last one being Wirral country Park.
managed to get a pitch right on the front overlooking the river Dee with North Wales as a backdrop brilliant.
Then at 1 00am on the first night the wind started, we ended up standing in the porch awning hanging on to it for the next couple of hours scared stiff because the caravan was also rocking.
The next morning made me realize why the small trees and bushes on the edge of the pitch were leaning sideways.
The above story is not intended to put you off but to help you prepare for coastal camping.
If you are prepared for it the rewards are well worth it.
In the pictures you will see how adding poles and cross braces can help your awning stand up in any weather.
The main point is to stop the roof poles from collapsing on the caravan side and the awning falling inwards towards the caravan .
The advice in all the above posts should ensure you have a great holiday on a great pitch.
Quote: Originally posted by Bridgelayer on 11/5/2013
Don't forget to twist the storm strap. It stops it buzzing while you're trying to sleep. (it also helps prevent neighbours from throwing bird seed on top of your van )
Good tip,couldn't stop laughing with the bird seed comment.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Securing down your awning advice please
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