Fionadb1 Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 We have just purchased a Hymer and it has a built in roll out, not sure of the make as it is residing in Germany at the mo. We have seen these roll outs with sides, but as soon as there is any wind, down they come. That sounds a nightmare to us! We just want a but of extra space without it being too dark and not a huge work up. Seen the inflatable ones but ours is 3.15 high, so maybe not an option. any ideas would be fantastic, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 The lightweight "safari room" enclosures are probably a bit too vulnerable to wind to be much use and although we had one which came with a MH, we never actually used it apart from a trial erection. The roll-out awning itself is less of a mixed blessing in that they can be stabilised using a single tie-down strop and they will then stand quite a bit of breeze. This tie-down is £10 from Halfords: http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/camping-caravanning/camping-equipment/olpro-universal-awning-tie-down-kit?cm_mmc I don't leave ours up overnight unless it's tied down. We tend to use our Omnistor awning mostly as a sun shelter these days, relying instead on a porch awning if we want to shelter from cold or wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionadb1 Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Thanks so much, methinks I will have a rethink! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Had Enough Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 These roll our awnings shouldn't be considered in the same light as a conventional caravan awning. They are sunshades, to which some people attach sides. We wouldn't be without ours and use it as a sunshade and not for extra living space in all weathers. It's invaluable in sunny climes for giving shade and dining outside and if it rains we can move our table, chairs and bikes underneath it. Because they don't have sides or a front they are obviously more prone than a conventional awning to wind getting underneath and damaging them. Because we don't put sides on ours, if there's like to be a gale it really does take minutes to wind in but the conditions have got to be pretty fierce for it to be damaged as they are on strong arms and have a tie-down. If you want extra living space you have two choices, either a stand-alone tent, which we have http://goo.gl/bDxRAO or a motorhome drive-away awning, http://goo.gl/bnCjFS which attaches to the side of the MH and is like a typical caravan awning. If you decide to move the 'van though, uncoupling one of these will take longer than winding in a roll out. So, you should think of your roll out as a very handy sunshade or rain protector but if you really need extra living space you need to have either a stand-alone tent or a drive-away awning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 As has been said as a sunshade they are excellent and help to keep the interior of the van cool when using them. They are not intended as a "put it out leave it out all night" and neither as a "put it out and lets go shopping exercise". Treat them as you would one at home in the garden such as if its inclined to be windy then you wind it in. And at night always wind them in unless of course you like wandering outside in the rain with a gale blowing. During very hot spells and by the sea sudden gusts can occur when quick action is needed. I would never go more than a few paces away without rolling them most of the way in. I've seen a full size awning spread right across the roof ... and ... the alloy supports were bent meaning that it did not wind in again EVER. They are not a nightmare just common sense. If fully extended make sure that the canopy ends are secures to the ground VERY FIRMLY with webbing. Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 With an appropriate tie down kit these awnings are resistant to fairly strong winds. In Spain you will be amazed how many leave them out in strongish winter winds. However, you mention a roll out awning. Do you really mean that or are you thinking of a wind out awning? They are different beasts. Most have wind out awnings and these are really good. The roll out versions are much flimsier. In strong winds I wind the awning in but have been caught out a couple of times either at night or while we are away from the motorhome when strong winds have arisen and have never had a problem. But a tie down kit is essential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 No, they are not 'useless', but they are not an extra storage area or sleeping area, as a Standalone Awning would be, you can add sides and a front and turn them into a 'Safari Room' but the costs involved are cosiderable and usually more than the alternatives. http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/fiamma-privacy-room-350cm-medium-497350-1896?gclid=CjwKEAjw9bKpBRD-geiF8OHz4EcSJACO4O7TNPrLG5Yaot3jO1ay-XvcRNa1yywA5uJXfLQt3wP26BoC-crw_wcB#fo_c=273&fo_k=64ae665c70d24891838f71de017e546c&fo_s=gplauk We use ours just as a 'Rain Canopy' to give me a area to feed and dry the dogs off after a walk, we ALWAYS make sure it is well strapped down with strong cargo straps and large steel pegs. If the wind is too strong we wind it in,takes 2 minutes. We wouldn't be without one. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 No, not useless, but bxxxy expensive to repair when tiedown straps give way in the middle of thunderstorm.. yes , we should have listened to forecast befor retiring..getting soaked at 1 am in a howling gale trying to rescue the situation is not funny, and repairs cost real money tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Collings Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 As a one time small boat sailor I learnt never to leave canvas unattended as it tended to involve a swim. The same applies to roll out awnings. I have seen a couple of cases of vans being shrink wrapped by their awnings but the hefty lump at the end can do a lot of damage. This kit has three main uses. Shade for you and by keeping the sun off the van avoids the heat build up that makes sleeping difficult in very hot weather. The other is to keep rain off the pitch and provide a drying ground when its raining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeco Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 We have a wind out Omnistor 4900 fitted as standard to our AT Tracker FB. On a recent 2 month journey around the southern coast we were constantly winding in the awning every time the wind came up, being on the coast this was often. I was not confident to leave it up all night in case it did a backflip in the wind. So I have purchased spring loaded tie ropes, two for each support post ( similar to the Halford example above). Then yesterday at the Sydney caravan/ motorhome show I purchased a curved centre rafter along with a serious anti flap kit for each end. That coupled with the end & side wall already in the storage bin should solve the problem. Australia is similar to the Med area in that you are always wanting to be out in the fresh air rather than in the MH. Now that I have proper kit rather than a "make do" rig the set up time will be only a few minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Hi Gary.. Although staking and strapping it down, is better than nothing, I still wouldn't let that lull you into a false sense of security though... ..with the area of "sail" we are talking about, a decent gust can soon dislodge a peg/stake..either that or damage the flapping fabric and/or bend the arms... (like others, we've seen wind-outs that have been damaged by the wind...one, completely ripped from the side of a Hymer, at Glastonbury Festival some years back). I always used to strap ours down; and never left it unattended, but retaining the frame & arms doesn't stop the fabric from going nuts...!... Yes, I suppose you could also throw a "retaining" strap over the fabric...but how far do you go?... If someone is going to securely strap down every bit of them that needs strapping, then that does sort of negate the idea of them being the quick and easy option... :-S On one of our vans, I just fitted an additional awning rail to the underside of our Fiamma wind-out....and then I just slid in a simple tarp and I was happy enough to leave that out unattended because if it did ever let go, it would've only done minimal damage.(...famous last words, eh!? (lol) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bry Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 As people before me have stated, they are good if used for the purpose that they were intended for. We mainly use ours as a sunshade or shelter to wipe the dogs down after a walk if it has been wet when on our walks. When we have our awning extended, we do not peg the legs to the ground. I had some Fiama brackets attached to the side of the motorhome, where I slot in the base of the legs. I find that - to me anyway - it seems more sturdy as the legs are fixed to the vehicle. If we are to be away from the vehicle, I always wind in the awning, but the base of the legs are still attached to the vehicle. Each to their own i suppose, as with anything to do with the accessories or anything else we are inclined to purchase for our much loved vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie gibblebucket Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I was considering looking out for some second hand sides, don't think I'll bother with them based on whats been said. Hadn't realised they were so flimsy. I guess a couple of strategically placed windbreaks would give a bit of extra privacy/protection from the elements if necessary. :-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 josie gibblebucket - 2015-04-15 10:59 AM I was considering looking out for some second hand sides, don't think I'll bother with them based on whats been said. Hadn't realised they were so flimsy. I guess a couple of strategically placed windbreaks would give a bit of extra privacy/protection from the elements if necessary. :-| Hi For shade, these seem to be poplar on here... http://www.windblockers.net/ ...but there again, I suppose it's just something else that needs taking down, if the wind does get up...? If we were staying put and had "set up camp", we'd just use a windbreak around the "perimeter" of the canopy.. and if we needed extra shade, I just clipped up(using plastic "bull dog" type clips) a thin cotton throw that we had, so as to bridge the gap between the two... Edit; I had forgotten, that at one stage I used a pack of these to carry the additional front shade... http://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/Fiamma-Kit-Awning-Hangers.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionadb1 Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 Thanks you everyone, I think I now have the answer, good for shade, good for a spot if rain, can not leave alone, watch for wind at all times! Ok for an occasion, so not really what we want methinks, back to a "work up" then putting up a proper awning thing to make an extra room, for when we stay a little longer. Personally I do not see the point, however my husband wants one, so I suppose he will have to have it!!!!! :-) :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Hi.. Can I be cheeky and ask what it will be used for?..... Although not big enough to act as a proper awning on something the size of a motorhome, if it's just for storage or shelter for the dog, maybe a pop up Quechua Base shelter would do the job?.. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/base-seconds-pop-up-camping-shelter-id_8208602.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8nNUh0M_ZA (...we use one as an "awning" against our little Toyota Hiace and it's up and pegged in 3-4 mins..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 They aren't an awning and they aren't recommended to be left out in windy conditions, if you want an awning for the extra room you need a drive away or something similar, we use ours as a quickly wound out and in sun shade which is what they are made for we peg the corners down and have a expanding bar that goes along the underside to keep it a bit more rigid, and a front piece that pulls through, all are very quick to put up and take down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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