Rollout canvas/vinyl awning for caravan windows.

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 11, 2011 at 15:42

Member - Richard H - West NSW

I'll be taking delivery of a new van in January or early February.

I'm thinking of purchasing a couple of rollout awnings for the windows on the side opposite the large rollout awning.

Can anyone recommend a good brand, and one that I can insatll with minimum fuss.

Dick

Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well LIVE!

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AnswerID: 472278 Submitted: Sunday, Dec 11, 2011 at 15:53

lancie49 replied:

Gooday Dick.
Is there a particular reason you want an awning ?
If it's simply to help reduce heat inside the van have you considered reflective tint ?

Get the tint put on and forget about it, go with the awnings and it's just one more thing to be maintained and checked on before and during your travels.
Each to his own thoughts of course, but I wouldn't consider more awnings if there is an efficient alternative.

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FollowupID: 747049 Submitted: Sunday, Dec 11, 2011 at 16:04

Member - Richard H - West NSW posted:

I go north for a while now, and though my current van has tinted windows, they don't do a great deal of work in reflecting the heat.

Plus, this van I getting will have plastic windows that bulge outward on the edges, and unless the tinting is done by someone who knows what they are doing, it doesn't take it long to get distorted. I had a 'bodgie' job done on a work vehicle some time back, and it was a hell of a job removing the bloody stuff.

I know that I'll probably take off with the thing still down, and yes, it's just another item to put away, but I'm after a bit of shade and a reduction in reflected light/heat.

Thanks for your suggestion though.

Dick

Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well LIVE!

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FollowupID: 747051 Submitted: Sunday, Dec 11, 2011 at 16:13

lancie49 posted:

Fair enough,
There are lots of dodgy tinters out there but the better ones like the Tint Professor would be able to do that job easily.
On those pan faced windows, I would never try to wrap the curved corners, simply do the flat area, that will do the job just as well.

OK, another suggestion...........
A length of sailtrack over each window and get a piece of shade cloth cut and stitched to slide into it. Use double thickness.

Lots cheaper, and doesn't leave you with something hanging of the side of the van.
If it does get forgotten it won't do much damage either.

Just thoughts, I a bit tight sometimes.

Lance

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FollowupID: 747095 Submitted: Sunday, Dec 11, 2011 at 23:19

Member - sangster(Vic) posted:

Hi Lance, re sailtrack and shade cloth, what a great idea will be getting onto that this week...this forum is great for idea's etc...all the best richard11
cheers

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FollowupID: 747136 Submitted: Monday, Dec 12, 2011 at 13:39

ozjohn0 posted:

Google Aussie Traveller.
They make to measure awnings etc.
Ozjohn.

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FollowupID: 747137 Submitted: Monday, Dec 12, 2011 at 13:43

ozjohn0 posted:

I forgot to mention that rolled up thickness of rollout awnings on one or both sides must be included in the overall width of the van.
If you new van is 7'9" or 7'10" wide then it won't be able to accommodate awnings on both sides.
Best of luck,
Ozjohn.

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FollowupID: 747138 Submitted: Monday, Dec 12, 2011 at 14:10

Member - sangster(Vic) posted:

Thanks for that ozjohn, I already have Aussie Traveller awning but its the old canvas, I am going to convert to shade cloth... was impressed with the idea of shade cloth on the opposite outside windows instead of putting tinting, as suggested , its a great idea using the sailtrack joiner as Lance suggests , thanks for the info...
cheers
Stan

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AnswerID: 472370 Submitted: Monday, Dec 12, 2011 at 17:16

Bob Y. - Qld replied:

Dick,

Back in the '80's, we lived in a van for 6 years in western Qld, and Barkly Tablelands. To help keep the heat out, we put Sisalation between the windows and the screens, especially on the end that faced west. That made a huge difference, though at times did make the 'van a bit dark.

Also, we always positioned the 'van "east-west", with doors/annexe side to the north. This is most important if you want to keep the van cool, any other direction allows the van to absorb too much heat. Unless we were only stopped overnight, we always put the annexe up. It made things much more pleasant, and took away the glare of the midday sun, to some extent. Oh yeah, the boss needed somewhere in the shade for her washing machine!

I don't like the idea of roll-out awnings on the opposite side, but do like the idea mentioned with sail track over each window. You could affix the bottom of the material with Velcro, to the lower edge of the window.

Enjoy the new 'van,

Bob.