And the prize for the item most often bought, never used and resold goes to...

[Dorwyn]

I knew nothing about the magic rafter, but I do have a curved rafter, which has helped enormously, since it holds the windout awnings roof in tension, and means we can safely leave it out at night. And if it gets bad, you can hear it!

 

[Dorwyn]

Oh, plus we can use the excellent windbreaker awning room.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Closely followed by generators?

two for sale

 

[DDJC]

Motorhome = flexibility = drive on/off with the minimum of fuss

If you need to build an awning then you should be a tugger, or you've got the wrong motorhome.

Windout sunshades are a different topic.

Others might disagree.
Motorhome = whatever you want it to be = set up with whatever suits you.

1. Been a tugger. Had three awnings for it.
2. Got a wind out canopy and a G3 residence static awning for when we towed a small car on a trailer. Worked, but getting loaded up was a proper fag.
3. Now got a driveaway awning.

It is whatever works best for you. We like lots of internal space, and will often stay somewhere for a week or more. And there is something relaxing about hearing Welsh rain patter on the awning roof in the evening. On the moho roof it sounds like a GPMG on a SF mount.

 

[Langtoftlad]

It is whatever works best for you.

Of course

We like lots of internal space, and will often stay somewhere for a week or more.

That sounds more like tugger behaviour to me, rather than chugging

On the moho roof it sounds like a GPMG on a SF mount.

GPMG ???
SF Mount ???
Lost me there

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[DDJC]

Of course

That sounds more like tugger behaviour to me, rather than chugging

GPMG ???
SF Mount ???
Lost me there

Sorry, General Purpose Machine Gun on a static fire mount.

I was a tugger. Being a chugger suits us better, because it gives us a little more flexibility and nipping off for a weekend is easier in a moho. What suits one, won't suit another. We have to book sites wherever we go because we need the certainty. Wilding isn't something we can do, and anyway, we like ending up somewhere sunny and beachy and staying for a week. Works for us.

 

[Prop]

Deleted

 

[tonyidle]

Hiya Tony, can you please expand on how the magic rafter solves wind problems, The reason I ask is we have just had a Fiama wind out awning fitted, I have ordered a tie down kit but was still going to take it in at night when we use it.
Does the magic rafter mean that you dont need to do this? https://www.leisuredepot.co.uk/fiamma-magic-rafter-canopy-awning-support.html

The rafter runs the length of the awning and attaches to both spring arms. It tensions the fabric and prevents the arms folding. So wind can't lift the fabric and the fabric can't flap. With decent tie-downs the awning can't move. I don't try to prove anything so if high winds are expected I bring it in. Overnight if wind increases enough to be a concern we know we'll hear it long before it's strong enough to damage anything. It is however proof against pretty strong winds and definitely safe against the odd unexpected gust.

 

[Prop]

The rafter runs the length of the awning and attaches to both spring arms. It tensions the fabric and prevents the arms folding. So wind can't lift the fabric and the fabric can't flap. With decent tie-downs the awning can't move. I don't try to prove anything so if high winds are expected I bring it in. Overnight if wind increases enough to be a concern we know we'll hear it long before it's strong enough to damage anything. It is however proof against pretty strong winds and definitely safe against the odd unexpected gust.

Hiya Tony like this one ?

 

[MitchandJenny]

Is this a licence consideration or fuel consumption? Either way, it's not a problem for us and I'm sure we'd get a lot of use out of it.....but now you have me thinking again! I'm going to be interested in what others have to say

If you mainly use sites or go abroad get one..
If you mainly wildcamp…. Possibly not.
Mitch

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[The Wino]

I suspect that the problem would arise once you realise that the wind strength is too high for the rafter to cope as you're going to have to take it off first to put the awning away and hope it doesn't meanwhile take off. I'm going to stick to putting ours away at night or whenever we leave the motorhome.

 

[tonyidle]

Hiya Tony like this one ?

5g

View attachment 581348

Similar. The long tube on mine is higher and pushes on the fabric. It's also full length.