Fitted roll out awning for caravans advice please
Hi all, just returned to a caravan after trying motorhoming for the third time. One thing we did love about the motorhome was the wind out canopy awning that was up in a minute or so. We don’t really need an enclosed awning and like the idea of adding a roll out canopy to our new caravan. I have come across a few comments about potentially damaging the side of the caravan and not clearing awning lights etc. Really like the Thule Omnistore 1200. Can anyone give advice from using one of these on their caravan please?
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We have a Thule Omnistore 6200 on our Bailey Valencia 2016. It works really well. It sits on the roof, so is clear of lights. It sits on brackets which are bonded to to root- no screws therefore it doesnt effect the warranty of the van. Providing you are very aware of the weight of the vehicle, it should be fine. Ours was fitted by Rose Awnings. They are based in Poole, but travel all over the country to install these....
We have the sides too, to make it into a fully enclosed awning, but very rarely use them now. We're happy with the canopy. It keeps the rain off for showers, and we tend not to use the awning from November to February, anyway. We're happy just to use just the van in the colder months...
David
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We used the roll out by hand type that fit in the awning rail for years on both our caravans and they caused no damage to the van sides. We were on our second when we switched to a MH, the first having lasted about 8 years. The first rested totally against the van, the second had nylon pads that held it a few millimetres clear. Ours would certainly have rested against the awning light, however it's length and the door position meant we could slide it just clear for traveling. We tended to put it in the rail in April and remove it in November, for storage indoors overwinter.
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We have used our 3.6 metre roll out canopy with side pieces if needed for 5 years now, and with no rail damage. Also ours has three spaced silicon pads to rest its length along the side of the caravan, again no marks.
Our door light was in the way and after two years of it resting on the light I bought a new light as some of its LEDs had failed, I then fitted it lower to the door top and now it rests as it should.
The only failings in the 5 years has been the Velcro straps that secure the roll before putting it in the bag, my local awning repair shop has replaced them twice at £20 a go.
It's still going strong as is the caravan awning rail, although my 'van' was new I would check the actual awning rail security before using one, ie for rusted screws etc.
Putting aside the additional payload but regarding the awning rail load, approx 15kg spread over 3.6 metres is not going to to stress the rail too much in my opinion.
Threaded into the rail in April and removed in October to be stored in the garage.
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As Metheven has said, we do a similar thing.
Awning comes off for a few months over winter.
Other than that it stays on and have had no cause for concern regarding towing with it on or stress that may or may not be applied to the awning rail.
This is Thule Omnistore 1200 specific as you have asked for that.
Fitted to a Sterling (Swift) it does hang over the awning light. To get over this, for travelling, I pack out the three "awning pads" with Kampa packing pads that I had left over when I sold my Air Ace 400. They have never fallen out during travel.
I find it a brilliant solution for our style of caravanning. We have no need to sit outside when it is raining and during the summer it gives us the shade that we may want.
When on site I remove the pads and let it sit where it wants to sit, the awning light gives enough for what we want to do. As others have done you could reposition the light if you were that bothered?
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Apologies.... I didn't look up to see the spec of the 1200 model - I just saw 'wind out' canopy bit!!
Before we had the Thule 6200, we had a Westfield Rollaway, and before that, a Rolli awning. They were both awnings that fit in the awning rail and had to be rolled out by hand. Both good awnings, but we had problems with 'pooling', especially on the Rolli.
The reason we eventually went for the Thule 6200, was that we were finding it increasingly difficult to roll it back into the bag by hand. We ended up by having to take two step ladders away with us so that we could both reach high enough to roll it back into the bag. Those a little younger and fitter could probably cope, but ours was also a large canopy, and on the heavy side for us.
David
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Some very valid points that DSB has mentioned. We have not had any issues with pooling on the canopy but we do have the optional centre pole fitted.
Whist it is not that heavy it is a bit unwieldy, especially when packing it away.
It takes two of us to put it up and pack it away, on site it goes something like this:
Using the caravan step I can reach enough to unzip the bag and undo the end velco straps. Then I undo the middle strap and unroll to its full extent.
OH then takes over and holds the middle of the end tube whilst I postion the legs and fit and pre tension the outer arms. It then becomes self supporting. Now I am able to postion the legs to the required height and full tension the side arms, peg the legs etc.
Packing away is pretty much a reversal of the above, when the leg and support arms are packed away, we eack take an end and roll towards the caravan, when we get there I then take over at the middle and roll up and into the bag.
I have tried on my own to put this up and it is not possible, you definitely need two able bodied persons to use this type of canopy.
Hope this helps.
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It sounds like work to me. I just sit in the sun when it's shining , and then go inside when it's raining.
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Thanks for all the replies and photos. Harrib0 I also have Swift (Elegance) so suspect I would have the light covered at least partly. Not over fussed about limiting light output as long as didn’t damage the fitting - won’t be moving the fitting while the body warranty is in place. I hadn’t thought about water pooling so that is something else to consider. I’m pleased so many have used this type of canopy, or similar, without damage to the van or awning rail.
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Re HarribO's post. We have a Fiamma Coverstore and I can put it out and away single handed. I do similar to his method but without second person (my OH has arthritis and is only 4ft 10in so she gets my beer ready!) After unwinding I just pull out one leg/arm (from awning!!) then set leg to lowest position, arm to caravan extended but at lowest tension; then same with other side. Then simply adjust both sides to height and tension and peg out a couple of guys, and yes it is essential one side slightly lower. This all takes just a few minutes. Putting away is reverse procedure. It is a little heavy rolling up but I can still manage at 76. I have the centre pole but never use it. The only other comment I would make is that they are not very wind tolerant; I have the 'Storm Guys' which give extra security but still take it down in very strong winds; luckily a rare event when/where we go.
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Ah, you seem to have the knack that I don't!
I tried that method and it was like something out of a comedy sketch, similar method to you but moving across to the other side something on the previous side would drop/fall over etc.
It must have provided great entertainment for the rest of the site, right up to the point I walked off in a huff
Very valid point about wind speed, I use these to stop it flapping
But anything other that a "moderate " breeze I would take it down.
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Back to OP. I have used mine for years and whilst it does cover the awning light when in it's bag it has not damaged it nor has it made any marks on my caravan; the Fiamma has pads built into the bag. If you get one that slides into the awning rail remember to get the 'lugs' that hold it in position on the rail - you need 2, one either end of the bag. We do most of our touring in warmer climates so I usually fit my Fiamma to the caravan before our first trip and remove it for the winter.
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) is lowered a little to allow excess water to run off the roof -- well I do with mine 
