Wind out awning.

[soulman]

Hi all, The motorhome I have recently purchased. A 2021 Rollerteam T590 does not have a wind out awning/sun porch. I'm thinking of having one fitted but I'm a bit worried on how it will be done and if it will make a mess of the inside of the van.Do they have to drill right through when fitting. Are these wind out awnings normally fitted when the motorhome is being made. I will have it fitted at a motorhome garage etc. 

[Den]

They have to drill through the body normally into a cupboard and fit a small plate to distribute the weight. 
It’s often done by purchasers after pick up of a new MH 

we had one fitted at a show and was very pleased. 
another time I purchased an electric one and a mobile caravan & Mh technician, another great job. 
we did purchase a safari room complete waste of money. 
we now use a netting we purchased at a show ideal to keep the wind out and the sun. 
Den 

[Derek Uzzell]

A few motorhomes have had a wind-out awning as an integrated element of their design and a wind-out awning is sometimes offered as an option that can be chosen when a new motorhome is ordered . In such cases the awning will be installed when the motorhome manufacturer builds the vehicle, but it's much more common for the motorhome to be supplied without an awning and buyers can then decide subsequently whether they want one and, if so, which make and size of awning would best suit their needs.

This photo is of a 2021 UK-specification Roller Team T-Line 590 and it's fitted with a particularly long awning.

There will often be limitations on where the awning can be fitted (eg. in the photo the awning's base has to be above the top of the fridge ventilation-grille). The fixings will have to penetrate into the motorhome's interior and - as awnings are heavy - those fixings need to be very strong. How visually intrusive the fixings are from inside the vehicle will depend on the motorhome's design and (as Den has said) they can often be hidden from sight.

This 2021 MHFun thread may be of interest

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/anyone-had-a-fiamma-awning-fitted.242639/

 

[rayc]

For good advise and all things to do with Thule wind outs Hillview Awnings are hard to beat

 https://www.hillviewawnings.co.uk/

[Keithl]

As you have only just got your new MH I would suggest trying it without an awning to see if you really need one. As an example our AT has a factory fitted recessed awning and we very rarely use it, to the point if we ever bought another MH and it did not have one fitted we wouldn't bother.

[onecal]

Hi

That's a very good point Keithl makes as in our climate sometimes its too windy or spilling rain. On the other hand, on those hot summer days it can be a blessing for shade. If you do intend travelling abroad for a summer break and you do get very hot days ,then it really comes into it's own for shade. 

The main thing is get out there and enjoy.

Best of luck with your new motorhome 

Regards 

[Brian Kirby]

As others have said above, much will depend on where you intend using your van.  If in UK, I would say, as Keith says above, try it without the awning before adding one, and see how it goes.

Compared to mainland Europe, Britain is a windy old place, and the great enemy of wind-out awnings is wind.  In extreme conditions, if wind gets under a fully extended awning, it can whip it up and over the van causing considerable damage.

The golden rule, IMO, is if leaving the van unattended for more than a few minutes, even during a relatively settled spell, wind it fully in.  Tie down kits have their uses but, in the final analysis, it is far better to wind in, than to tie down.

Second golden rule is always wind it in at night.  Even if it isn't "blowing a hoolie", even a light breeze will induce the fabric to flap and slap and rattle on the rafters and, as breezes spring up at any time of the day or night in UK, especially near the coast, winding in is better than staggering out at 03:00 in your Jim-Jams to do so!  🙂 

If intending to travel the mainland, however, especially once south of (roughly) the Loire, the weather is more consistently settled, as well as generally warmer, and an evening (or any other) meal, or drink, on a calm, warm, night, with one hour's extra daylight available, is extremely pleasant.

We had vans with wind-out awnings since 2005.  We mainly (say 90%) used them on the mainland, and we almost always wound out the awning as soon as we were pitched.  We also frequently left the awning out when away from the van, and overnight, but also kept a sharp eye on weather forecasts.  It doesn't always work out, so I've had my share of the 03:00 "Jim-Jam" wind-in experiences. 😄 

It's a learning curve, and terrain make a huge difference, especially among mountains, where there are local winds that blow up in the early hours as the mountain air cools and sinks down the valleys.  However, on balance, I wouldn't have travelled Europe without an awning.

[rooster63]

We have an electrically operated awning on our van. Besides being useful when shade needed it is also very useful when tipping down with rain when returning from a walk as we can remove wet outer clothing and hang up in awning before entering van. Would emphasise the need for caution if there is any chance of wind. We were once at a campsite in the mountains near Pamplona, not a breath of wind when there was a sudden gust lifted the awning right over the van. Luckily no damage but later on in the Picos same thing happened, although we were ok as I had fastened the storm straps. Two other vans weren’t so lucky, their awnings flipped over causing quite a lot of damage to one van. A Dutch neighbour was able to wind in the un damaged awning ( I couldn’t help as didn’t have the right design of winding in pole).

[Geeco]

In this part of the world ALL motorhomes and caravans are sold with an awning as standard equipment. I have found that an anti flap kit and two tie down ropes at each end works well. I watch the wind forecast and if I see a wind speed over 40kph I pull it it. The anti flap kit I use  in addition to reducing flapping of the fabric and the unpleasant noise gives the whole structure rigidity. The attached image shows the full side anti flap clamp system.

 I agree with Brian K if I travelled only in the UK then I may not bother but on the mainland ( not seen Europe called that before)  an awning would be as necessary as it is here especially around the Med. cheers,

[onecal]

Hi Geeco

I couldn't agree more , a great investment , but as with anything care is needed . Lots of good information for Soulman and if he decides to have one fitted , ensure to have it fitted by a reputable fitter for his own  peace of mind. 

Regards