- Feb 24, 2013
- 13,054
- 101,383
- Funster No
- 24,833
- MH
- Hymer S800
- Exp
- not long enough
we have (had) a 5.5 metre long Omnistore awning, it was already fitted when we bought this motorhome, but don't think I would buy as long an awning if starting from scratch
for reasons I am not completely sure about, we ended up with a bent front rail which then would properly close away
possible reasons
hanging the Kampa Air awning on the front then winding in, my favourite excuse
over enthusiastic strapping down with ratchets straps due to phobia of wind damage, more likely
we decided to change the wind out awning, so when down in the New Forest went to Rose Awnings in Poole due to numerous positive recommendations, we possibly expected a bigger showroom, but saw enough and based on very knowledgeable guidance opted for a new wind out the same size as existing to avoid the need to fit a new rail
Bev then moved on to the safari rooms they had on display, we already have the Kampa as mentioned above, which I do feel puts a big strain on the wind out while attaching, there is no option other than to wind it out far enough to reach up to the front rail, then haul it back in like some kind of deep sea trawler
our old awning had a aluminium strip to attach to, this had sharp edges and has torn along the canvas beading to the awning making it very hard to slide into the rail and rendering it unused, which I think it will stay, will either sell on as it is or get repaired and sell
the new awning has plastic covered rails so would not be the same issue anyway, but would still have the weight to drag up on a plastic winding mechanism
now Bev really likes her awning (full one not just wind out) and would swap back to caravanning at the first option so she can go back to more space on site, so being a soft sod, or well beaten, agree to buying a full safari room for the new awning
all had to be ordered so deposit paid and we left, Rose Awnings had offered to bring it all up to us in Derbyshire to fit and demonstrate
hopefully in January due to our trip to France in Feb
Due to other commitments for them they couldn't get up, but that would have always been a bonus so we agreed to go to them last month. Terry had our old awning so I now already knew how relatively easily they come on and off, scarily so when I realised 2 out of 6 self tapping fixings were missing on ours
Last weekend in Jan we drove down, fitting the awning took all of 30 minutes, then they had to connect the awning light, which meant some dismantling inside to get to the wiring, then they cut to length a full length skirt and attached suckers. We then had a demonstration inside on how to set it all up on their demo unit inside. Partly because there wasn't room outside, it was only just above freezing and blowing a decent breeze.
So, fitted and sort of demonstrated we toddled off to a site in the New Forest to play for real, too dark when we got there, so left till morning
wound awning out and a securing bracket dropped down, not attached where it should be carried on at it wasn't windy that fitting wouldn't matter, put up the first side panel of the safari room and a screw insert wasn't fitted , again only a support pole and it wasn't staying up so we carried on, slightly disappointed. Rang Rose Awnings for advice, he asked for photos saying he had too much on to pop out to us today, a little disappointing as we intentionally stayed fairly close in case we had an issue and could go back if needed, but John said he would need to order a new part for the missing fitting anyway
we had a couple of other minor annoyances and agreed to send an email with photos
did this and agreed to meet up while we were at Vanbitz for the alarm, John agreeing to come over to us so we could then go to France with a fully operational awning
they turned up and got straight on with it, frost still on the ground around -2C, support arm attached, this meant dismantling the front corner, but looks easy when you know what you are doing, a new pole due to missing fitting, then a demonstration of how it all works
This in turn removed our other concerns which were partly due to not being fully assembled due to missing bits, but mainly I think the disappointment of it being faulty on arrival, so frustrating for a top of the range product, but then equally frustrating for the suppliers who would expect the same as we did
But all sorted, even a few points we made referred back to Thule who agreed to most comments, even supplying an extra pole bag, a total nonsense though, the pole bag provided for 90% of the poles isn't long enough for 2 of the support poles so they would have to travel loose Thule make a bag perfectly suited, we now have one and Rose Awnings will be supplying one with all large awnings fitted
One last twist, the roof support rail didn't fit, luckily too long, even more luckily Rose were there with a fully equipped van, cut off 50mm and remade, all now OK
To prove it here it is erected at Twin Lakes where we are now, not quite a centrally heated conservatory, but much more room and a very content Bev and we have an awning that now winds away easily and fully without needing a prod to lift it in the middle and then still didn't locate fully at either ends very content David
I am not pleased with the look of the centre support post on the outside, but have been told they are essential due to all the weight which makes sense, due to the length of our awning I feel it needs 2 poles anyway, so another has been ordered, which will then fit more 'correctly' where there are splits in the skirt and by the wider fabric areas so not as visible from inside
the beer was my reward for being a dutiful husband
£3800 complete, not to sure on the actual split between wind out awning and safari room but pretty much 50 / 50 I seem to recall
Top marks to Rose Awnings, John Rose and Dan his son (I think), really put themselves out, have great pride in their work and good old fashioned customer care
Oh and a 10% funster discount
for reasons I am not completely sure about, we ended up with a bent front rail which then would properly close away
possible reasons
hanging the Kampa Air awning on the front then winding in, my favourite excuse
over enthusiastic strapping down with ratchets straps due to phobia of wind damage, more likely
we decided to change the wind out awning, so when down in the New Forest went to Rose Awnings in Poole due to numerous positive recommendations, we possibly expected a bigger showroom, but saw enough and based on very knowledgeable guidance opted for a new wind out the same size as existing to avoid the need to fit a new rail
Bev then moved on to the safari rooms they had on display, we already have the Kampa as mentioned above, which I do feel puts a big strain on the wind out while attaching, there is no option other than to wind it out far enough to reach up to the front rail, then haul it back in like some kind of deep sea trawler
our old awning had a aluminium strip to attach to, this had sharp edges and has torn along the canvas beading to the awning making it very hard to slide into the rail and rendering it unused, which I think it will stay, will either sell on as it is or get repaired and sell
the new awning has plastic covered rails so would not be the same issue anyway, but would still have the weight to drag up on a plastic winding mechanism
now Bev really likes her awning (full one not just wind out) and would swap back to caravanning at the first option so she can go back to more space on site, so being a soft sod, or well beaten, agree to buying a full safari room for the new awning
all had to be ordered so deposit paid and we left, Rose Awnings had offered to bring it all up to us in Derbyshire to fit and demonstrate
hopefully in January due to our trip to France in FebDue to other commitments for them they couldn't get up, but that would have always been a bonus so we agreed to go to them last month. Terry had our old awning so I now already knew how relatively easily they come on and off, scarily so when I realised 2 out of 6 self tapping fixings were missing on ours
Last weekend in Jan we drove down, fitting the awning took all of 30 minutes, then they had to connect the awning light, which meant some dismantling inside to get to the wiring, then they cut to length a full length skirt and attached suckers. We then had a demonstration inside on how to set it all up on their demo unit inside. Partly because there wasn't room outside, it was only just above freezing and blowing a decent breeze.
So, fitted and sort of demonstrated we toddled off to a site in the New Forest to play for real, too dark when we got there, so left till morning
wound awning out and a securing bracket dropped down, not attached where it should be
carried on at it wasn't windy that fitting wouldn't matter, put up the first side panel of the safari room and a screw insert wasn't fitted , again only a support pole and it wasn't staying up so we carried on, slightly disappointed. Rang Rose Awnings for advice, he asked for photos saying he had too much on to pop out to us today, a little disappointing as we intentionally stayed fairly close in case we had an issue and could go back if needed, but John said he would need to order a new part for the missing fitting anywaywe had a couple of other minor annoyances and agreed to send an email with photos
did this and agreed to meet up while we were at Vanbitz for the alarm, John agreeing to come over to us so we could then go to France with a fully operational awning
they turned up and got straight on with it, frost still on the ground around -2C, support arm attached, this meant dismantling the front corner, but looks easy when you know what you are doing, a new pole due to missing fitting, then a demonstration of how it all works
This in turn removed our other concerns which were partly due to not being fully assembled due to missing bits, but mainly I think the disappointment of it being faulty on arrival, so frustrating for a top of the range product, but then equally frustrating for the suppliers who would expect the same as we did
But all sorted, even a few points we made referred back to Thule who agreed to most comments, even supplying an extra pole bag, a total nonsense though, the pole bag provided for 90% of the poles isn't long enough for 2 of the support poles
so they would have to travel loose Thule make a bag perfectly suited, we now have one and Rose Awnings will be supplying one with all large awnings fittedOne last twist, the roof support rail didn't fit, luckily too long, even more luckily Rose were there with a fully equipped van, cut off 50mm and remade, all now OK
To prove it here it is erected at Twin Lakes where we are now, not quite a centrally heated conservatory, but much more room and a very content Bev
and we have an awning that now winds away easily and fully without needing a prod to lift it in the middle and then still didn't locate fully at either ends very content David I am not pleased with the look of the centre support post on the outside, but have been told they are essential due to all the weight which makes sense, due to the length of our awning I feel it needs 2 poles anyway, so another has been ordered, which will then fit more 'correctly' where there are splits in the skirt and by the wider fabric areas so not as visible from inside
the beer was my reward for being a dutiful husband
£3800 complete, not to sure on the actual split between wind out awning and safari room but pretty much 50 / 50 I seem to recall
Top marks to Rose Awnings, John Rose and Dan his son (I think), really put themselves out, have great pride in their work and good old fashioned customer care
Oh and a 10% funster discount
