Awnings and Wind

[tonyidle]

I really like the -idea- of an wind-out awning. When the sun is beating down, or it's drizzling, it provides great protection. Provided there's almost zero wind. And it is pretty convenient to wind it in and out without needing storage inside the van. But even in the slightest wind, they flap about and make horrible noises inside the van. Even with tie-downs, I don't trust it enough to leave it out when we go out. And I've got up at 2am too many times because the flapping is keeping me awake. It's just a constant faff.

A Fiamma Magic Rafter prevents noise totally. With that and decent storm straps over the tension bars it can stay out in normal weather conditions. I use mine (4.5M) all the time. It has been out for two weeks so far. The odd puff of wind has no effect.

 

[DumfriesDik]

I got dometic storm straps for my awning, but when the wind hits I usually wind it in!
I get a bit nervous about a gust ripping it even when it's tied down. Too cautious???

We are the same. Very cautious with using the awning, always pegged and strapped down with rock pegs.

 

[busbuddy]

Seen it so many times, especially at the race track.....awnings, safari rooms, gazebos, tents.....put up in a hurry and using a few of those cocktail stick sized pegs pushed in by hand and they think it's done
Saw a caravan written off by a stiff breeze at goathland, we saw the awning zip start to open but before we could even stand up the awning had destroyed the caravan

 

[Pablo19]

And don't forget the rain!
A few years ago in the Netherlands we were parked next to a huge brand new German motorhome. Couple went out for day leaving nice flat level awning rolled out. Then came sudden thunderstorm rain came down in torrents. Within seconds there was a huge bulge in their awning. My husband bravely/foolishly ran out and dropped one of the legs to release a deluge. Had to explain to them on return pitfalls of leaving awning out, even on what seems a perfect day.
So yes, never underestimate the damage a bit of summer weather can cause.

I always make sure I have a slope on mine so rain falls off but it's a good point to bring up.

 

[AndyPK]

We got a new van without awning, so far, we would have put it out a couple of times, but found that we just take the chairs over to the nearest shady part.
Havent missed the awning and at the moment cant see us buying one, and generally for the reason of the sudden unexpected wind.
Beginning to wonder if they are overrated as a necessity

I've thought the same. If speccing a new van, I'm not sure I'd have the expense and weight of a wind-out awning but rather a lightweight sunshade.

If we ever change our ‘van ( ), I’ll opt to have an awning rail fitted to both sides and no wind-out awning - giving more options for attaching ‘accessories’ as required…..!

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[Simon Meadwell]

Down in the south of France mid 30’s everyone has awning out all strapped down all left out permanently. Dont think you could manage without. We had a gusty spell so wound as far as it would go. See other post.

 

[teddybear]

Use the awning to shield the side of the van if sun is shining on to fridge. But always put straps on

 

[Guigsy]

A Fiamma Magic Rafter prevents noise totally. With that and decent storm straps over the tension bars it can stay out in normal weather conditions. I use mine (4.5M) all the time. It has been out for two weeks so far. The odd puff of wind has no effect.

I already had a Fiamma Rafter (the one that runs out from the middle of the van to the long edge of the awning). This helps a bit, but there's still quite a lot of flapping.

I've just ordered a Fiamma Magic Rafter Pro (the one that runs parallel to the van between the awning arms). Not cheap! But if it means I'm not second guessing the weather forecast and yoyo'ing the awning in and out every hour, it'll be worth it. Thanks.

 

[tonyidle]

I already had a Fiamma Rafter (the one that runs out from the middle of the van to the long edge of the awning). This helps a bit, but there's still quite a lot of flapping.

I've just ordered a Fiamma Magic Rafter Pro (the one that runs parallel to the van between the awning arms). Not cheap! But if it means I'm not second guessing the weather forecast and yoyo'ing the awning in and out every hour, it'll be worth it. Thanks.

The one you've ordered is the one I meant. I wish Fiamma had named it more clearly .

 

[Guigsy]

The one you've ordered is the one I meant. I wish Fiamma had named it more clearly .

Even some camping gear websites get the names mixed up. Stupid product naming!

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[TDub49]

Large sheets of fabric and the wind - I wonder if anyone has though of powering a boat that way

 

[SteveRallye]

They are both a blessing and a curse. Great in this hot sticky weather for shade but get it strapped down even if temporary, if we are going out for day it is wound in. As for full awnings in general they are a pain in the butt when it is windy especially overnight and there there is many a time when we wished we never bothered. So we tend to stick with wind out so a rapid retreat can be accomplished. I agree with the post about getting the fixed awning rails fitted but it does not eliminate the wind/storm problem.

 

[AndyPK]

They are both a blessing and a curse. Great in this hot sticky weather for shade but get it strapped down even if temporary, if we are going out for day it is wound in. As for full awnings in general they are a pain in the butt when it is windy especially overnight and there there is many a time when we wished we never bothered. So we tend to stick with wind out so a rapid retreat can be accomplished. I agree with the post about getting the fixed awning rails fitted but it does not eliminate the wind/storm problem.

Nothing will, I don’t think…….

 

[tonyidle]

Nothing will, I don’t think…….

It eliminates the "normal" sudden gust problem totally. As you say nothing will survive any sort of storm. But ours is up overnight and when we leave the van under normal weather conditions.

 

[Howard B]

Even some camping gear websites get the names mixed up. Stupid product naming!

There is a Magic rafter and Magic rafter pro. Decisions, decisions

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[The Wino]

I strongly suspect that the sudden wind is thermals going through triggered by the high temperature compared to that at night. The thing being there will be little if any warning.

 

[Ianj55]

Have never left an awning out overnight or indeed if away from the van. In Croatia and around 11pm a storm blew up and the picture shows what can happen. The unit shown went home on a low loader to Germany. Everyone who had an awning out, no matter how well held down was ruined by the next morning. Have never seen so many awnings left by the rubbish bins and also damaged vans due to the awnings left out. This what can happen in a storm ?

 

[MOHO Mike]

Lots of sensible advice on here and I also wind the awning in at night and when going out. The other thing I always do before deploying the awning is check the Met Office weather app for the local forecast. Not always correct but a good starting point for marking decisions about whether to wind it out or not.

 

[bluebob]

was it secured?

No they had not got round to pegging down

 

[EuroTrotters]

No they had not got round to pegging down

oh dear, schoolboy or renters error

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[CazPaul]

A Fiamma Magic Rafter prevents noise totally. With that and decent storm straps over the tension bars it can stay out in normal weather conditions. I use mine (4.5M) all the time. It has been out for two weeks so far. The odd puff of wind has no effect.

We have this which goes down the middle and came with the van, is it a magic rafter?

 

[Phoenix2023]

So I was thinking about getting an awning tie down kit,do they quick release,so you can wind it in quickly if it gets too windy

Ive got the fiamma tiedown kit, has two foot long anchoring spikes which connect to a couple of big springs then the straps. The straps have a big quick release buckle near the awning end. Very handy for hanging onto whilst doing an emergency wind in, as I discovered in a sudden Anglesey gale the other week. The kit isnt cheap but worth it. The awning framework itself was still rock solid, but that obviously wouldnt stop the fabric tearing. I also got the extra central rafter which is curved. It lets you put some tension on the fabric and gets rid of a lot of the noise caused by it flapping against the arms which happens in even light breezes

 

[poppycamper]

We have this which goes down the middle and came with the van, is it a magic rafter?


View attachment 640738

That is what we have got and I dont rmbr it being called a "Magic Rafter".
Incidently I was under impression this rafter has nothing to do with wind but recommended to fit when raining to stop water pooling in middle of canvas.. in addition to dropping one side of awning to allow run off.
Edit.. believe it is called "A tension rafter" which comes in two variants... straight and curved.

 

[Hawkstone]

Tend not to leave ours out a night but that's due to the noise, it's a Thule omnister. Do they all rattle when there's a breeze?

Yep sadly. Blooming irritating it is too.

 

[Hawkstone]

This was at a motocross meeting, it poured down all night. The owners were so lucky nothing was damaged.

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[carolyn]

We love ours and nearly let all the horror stories put us off having one on our current van, in fact we did and had it retro fitted by Hillside awnings near us the day before the 1st lockdown . So glad we did. We love it. It’s a Thule Omnistor. I know everyone has seen these horror stories but think of the millions of successful trips when they’ve been absolutely fine. It’s like so many things, depends how much of a worrier you are. If you’re going to spend you’re whole time worrying it’s going to blow over the van and not use it then save your £1000. If you’re going to enjoy that lovely shade, get one.

We’ve even bought two rain blocker end bits after a wet and windy trip to Norden Farm which help with stability. We’ve got the hang of them now. We do both need to stand on steps as we’re not tall enough. Handy in U.K. weather but we certainly didn’t need them in France.

 

[Reallyretired]

I had my awning blown off a few years back at Carcassonne. The legs were so well pegged down the aluminium legs snapped. Since then we never leave it out at night.

 

[PP Bear]

Beginning to wonder if they are overrated as a necessity

Definitely not a necessity but a nice to have when needed.

I don’t usually deploy mine, but when I do, it’s well worth it

 

[The Wino]

Lots of sensible advice on here and I also wind the awning in at night and when going out. The other thing I always do before deploying the awning is check the Met Office weather app for the local forecast. Not always correct but a good starting point for marking decisions about whether to wind it out or not.

As I said if the sudden gust was a thermal going through its unlikely to be on a weather forecast

 

[RobPullen]

So I was thinking about getting an awning tie down kit,do they quick release,so you can wind it in quickly if it gets too windy

Definitely invest in tie downs and I would also suggest foot peg plates. But don’t be lulled in to a false sense of security and feel that you can leave it up in all weathers even with these.
Even with these, we wind ours in if we go out and at night (partly because even a gentle breeze causes it to move and make a noise).
As said in a number of the other responses, it takes a couple of moments for the weather to change dramatically at times.
Last summer in Spain we sat in small site, well protected by trees and completely calm, hot and sunny. A solitary cloud crossed the sun and the resulting breeze was enough to blow chairs and light tables over and send our washing (drying on an airer) flying across the next pitch. The French couple on the adjacent pitch leapt up and grabbed their awning which was suddenly flapping around like a flag, legs knocking stuff over. Bizarrely when the wind stopped they just put it back as it was before, unsecured - no lesson learned there.

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