Autotrail RS canopy (1 Viewer)

[Susan Beattie]

We purchased our motorhome a year ago, it’s a 2014 plate.
Last week, we tried the wind out canopy, and attached a Thule tent awning. It was great, until our last night. A storm totally annihilated the canopy, so the awning collapsed.
Canopy ripped off, flapping over the roof. We could not get the thing to wind back in, the metal frame could not be manually pushed back in.
AA came to the rescue and had to unscrew the whole thing.
Being new to motorhoming, we are now left with no canopy, and have wasted £700 on the tent awning. We didn’t realise it was only as good as the canopy, yet the dealer told us that it was suitable for our motorhome.
Looking at other awnings on site, all seemed to be very securely fitted to their Motorhomes and caravans.
What have we done wrong and how can we fix it?
Cheers!

 

[Ivory55]

Was the canopy extended out at the time. If leaving the canopy extended out it needs securing down with storm straps etc.

 

[SuperMike]

What have you done wrong ?

Left it all up without tie down straps and if you had notice of “a storm” coming, define storm, then you should have taken the whole lot down.

Brutal answer, sorry, but you did ask.

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[tonka]

The wind out awning is classed really as a "sun shade"..
You always need to have some tie down / storm straps attached as wind can pick up any time. Have seen a few where they have blown right over the van. Found the Thule you mentioned.. I can only assume no storm straps been used..
Also you should have a tension bar that goes in the centre of the roof between the van and the outer edge of the awning, like a pole with a spring inside.

 

[Ivory55]

Supermike is right. We don’t even leave our canopy/awning up at night we wind it in each night regardless of weather.

 

[Lenny HB]

Afraid it's user error. Although with the tent attached provided they are pegged down properly and tie down straps are used they can suvivemedium strenth winds but not a storm, you should of taken it down. They are not like a full awning wind can still get under the canopy.
And if using just the canopy it's always best to wind it in, if anything over a light breeze develops.

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[TheDogMan]

All the motorhome awnings are little more than sunshades and need sunstantual tie downs to survive moderate gusts of wind UNLESS you want spend about £4k on a G&H awning

 

[TCG]

 

[sdc77]

Sorry to hear of your experience... shame you wernt informed about tying down the wind out awning when you purchased the Thule.
Hopefully your van hasn't sustained too much if any damage .
Ensure the holes where the wind out awning was are covered to prevent any water getting in.
You may wish to consider getting an awning track fitted instead of another wind out awning.
Plenty of threads on here 're that.
A subscription here may well be worth while as there is huge knowledge and experience available on tap

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[peterc10]

As others have said, what you did wrong was to not to have storm straps and not to have wound the canopy in as soon as it started raining or blowing. Although you may not realise it you have been quite lucky by the sound of it. Many events like that cause considerable damage to the motorhome wall and roof as well.

All you can do now is replace the canopy awning with a new one, using the same holes to attach it to the motorhome, as long as they are still OK. Otherwise you can do without a canopy, many people do. But in that case you will need to make good and seal the fixing holes for the old one.

 

[Gellyneck]

Others have advised on the robustness (or not) of the canopy.
Just a thought, would the damage be covered under your insurance?

 

[Lenny HB]

Others have advised on the robustness (or not) of the canopy.
Just a thought, would the damage be covered under your insurance?

If she has a proper Motorhome policy yes.

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[Gellyneck]

If she has a proper Motorhome policy yes.

Fingers crossed, then!

 

[davejen]

Glad we don't have an awning on our 'van. Heard too many tales like this. Sounds like you got away quite well though.
BTW, welcome to the fun!!
Cheers, Dave

 

[The Wino]

I would be more worried about dammage to the van and any future dispute if there is damp. As others have said the awning is really for use in good weather/light winds even with storm straps I would get it away sharpish rather than struggle to get it away in strong winds. It can be a steep learning curve with a motorhome hope you enjoy it once settled

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[Paul and Kate]

Sorry to say this but....
That's one expensive learning curve.
Hope you get it sorted and it doesn't put you off enjoying your mh

 

[Susan Beattie]

Was the canopy extended out at the time. If leaving the canopy extended out it needs securing down with storm straps etc.

Was the canopy extended out at the time. If leaving the canopy extended out it needs securing down with storm straps etc.

Thank you, everyone for your helpful advice, even the brutally honest ones!
Our first experience with a motorhome, had a few trips, this was the first time with the awning.
It was tied down, however around midnight this storm arrived, we had no prior warning. Had it been during the day, we would easily have got it all away.
Definitely hasn’t put us off, though feel a bit stupid.
Waiting to get the canopy replaced and rethink the kind of awning. There were plenty on the site that were all securely fixed without the canopy we had. None blew off.
Learning curve right enough.
Thanks everyone.
Susan x

 

[Ivory55]

When you have your next one have a look at the plates that jez sells ( a fun trader ) they go over the feet and can be secured with the screw in pegs. Also the hooks that go in the awning slot then you can tie down from them as well as the big storm strap that goes over the top. Might seem excessive but it’s like having a big sail on the side of your van. Hope all goes ok.

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[tonka]

When you have your next one have a look at the plates that jez sells ( a fun trader ) they go over the feet and can be secured with the screw in pegs..

BUT... Also look at how the legs are secured at the top.. many are just crimped, not even a screw or bolt. !
So if it gets windy and you have base plates, the base holds and the top of the leg just "pops off".. Yes - it happened to me a few years ago.. I always put a peg in the bottom of the leg but also have a storm strap over the top or the one's that slide into the front of the awning.

 

[Ivory55]

BUT... Also look at how the legs are secured at the top.. many are just crimped, not even a screw or bolt. !
So if it gets windy and you have base plates, the base holds and the top of the leg just "pops off".. Yes - it happened to me a few years ago.. I always put a peg in the bottom of the leg but also have a storm strap over the top or the one's that slide into the front of the awning.

Sorry forgot to say, get 2 pieces of aluminium angle and put between the top part of leg and floor, then when you pull the front down tight the leg is not sliding down on the thumb twist bolts. Ps I was using all3 methods not just the plates.

 

[Susan Beattie]

When you have your next one have a look at the plates that jez sells ( a fun trader ) they go over the feet and can be secured with the screw in pegs. Also the hooks that go in the awning slot then you can tie down from them as well as the big storm strap that goes over the top. Might seem excessive but it’s like having a big sail on the side of your van. Hope all goes ok.

Who’s jez?

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[Ivory55]

Who’s jez?

Search jezport on here. He has a stall at the shows and on line as well.

 

[Susan Beattie]

Cheers!