Caravan Awning De-flappers Comparision
Submitted: Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 12:45
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Member - Julie & John (VIC)
Gday...
Have been researching buying a couple of sets of awning deflappers for our recently purchased caravan. It appears there are a couple of brands on the market - Aussie Traveller, Camec and Max DeFlappers. Prices vary depending on supplier.
I have seen the Camec ones and thought they didn't look like they would actually hold the awning in any sort of strong breeze but have only seen the Aussie Traveller and Max DeFlappers on the Net.
Do any of the 'experienced' caravaners have any advice on which ones would be the best.
I have heard that deflappers (generally) don't do much of a job (any of them) but at least the Max DeFlapper seems to have a bit of substance about their design that gives some hope.
Any comparitive advice please
Julie & John
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 12:58
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 12:58
I have Aussie Traveller and they are really good.
Has been blowing a gale here in
Geraldton for two days and they are still holding good as.
Would recommend them to you.
Not the best price but the best gear.
AnswerID:
378813
Follow Up By: Member - Julie & John (VIC) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 13:40
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 13:40
Gday...
Sorry about the wind in WA... we are in Gippsland and have wind AND rain ... oh
well.
How many of the Aussie Traveller deflappers do you have on each side? Your rig looks very similiar to ours in size so the awning is probably similar too.
We had thought that three sets (of 2) would hold it in place - what influenced your decision on Aussie Travellers and how do you have them rigged.
Ta
Julie & John
FollowupID:
646178
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 19:54
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 19:54
Weve got the rain as
well mostly horizontal today.
The Aussie Traveller deflappers are rigid Alloy bars that are hooked onto a clip on the van and slide into a hole in the roller.
They are two piece and so fit various widths.
They have a curved piece on the top that the clamps underneath pull down holding the end of the awning along its full width.
They do it very
well but are expensive.About $300 or so in WA
The rafters do stretch the awning a bit and over the last two years use ours has a bit. However it is nearly 7 years old so is getting tired.
The rafters are $70 each in Qld and $110 in WA
HAve just bought a new van and our whole annex and hardware cost $2200 in QLD and here the quote for one slightly bigger is about $4000..
The little clamp ones that you velcro around the rail and clamp on like vice grips are useless in weather like we are having here.
Most have their awnings rolled up but ours is fine as we have a site with annexe on lee side of van.
Cheers
FollowupID:
646241
Reply By: Moose - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 13:25
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 13:25
Not a caravan person so I just had to Google "deflappers" as I'd never heard of them and was intrigued.
Found this in the process which may be of use:
"In reference to the pic of the Aussie traveller deflappers they are great but do yourself a favour and forget the centre tension bars they will stuff the awning roof bigtime first by stretching the vinyl then when it rolls it will crease and soon it will tear been there dun that got the old vinyl not nice and the insurance said missuse and wear and tear"
There were other ideas on there too - may be worth considering - it's Caravaners
Forum. Just Google "deflappers" and it's one of the hits on page 1
AnswerID:
378817
Follow Up By: Member - Julie & John (VIC) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 13:35
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 13:35
Gday Moose
Ta for that ... will check it out for the info .
Julie & John
FollowupID:
646177
Reply By: Member - Bruce T (SA) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 15:04
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 15:04
We have the Aussie Traveller type and they are excellent. We've had them up in strong winds and they certainly make a difference. We also have the centre pole that puts a slope in the roof of the awning and we have found that is really helpful for rain. We've been using our since 2005 and it hasn't affected the awning at all.
Cheers,
Bruce and Di
AnswerID:
378826
Reply By: Member -Dodger - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 15:21
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 15:21
We have the Maxi De Flappers and they are great, easy to put on and have held on in extreme winds.
Had the smaller ones for a while and found that they were stretching the awning slightly. Left them behind when packing up so bought the larger ones, just one pair does the job.
AnswerID:
378829
Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 16:23
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 16:23
We also have the Aussie Traveller Deflappers, when we put the Awning Walls up they slide on and make every thing nice and firm, little bit expensive but good quality.
Cheers
AnswerID:
378839
Reply By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 16:39
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 at 16:39
G/day Julie&John,We only have a 3.0m awning on our pop-top,I use a good piece of cord with an occystrap on one end,it goes from side to side and takes the bounce out of the middle of the awning as
well as holding the sides down.I use two if it is very windy,you can use as many as you like.When using them on a poptop always use the adjustable roof supports under the roof on the side that the awning hangs off,remember to peg the awning posts down also.Hope this is of some help. Regards, Keith C
AnswerID:
378844