Tie down kit for Thule awning (1 Viewer)

[AnEnglishmanAbroad]

Hi,

We have an Auto Trail FB (2015) and I'm looking to buy a tie down kit for our travel to Spain and Portugal in May. I appreciate that there are dangers in relying on them in high winds or leaving them out at night which we would not do.

In Italy last year we were hit with the usual sudden, powerful gusts of wind that often spring up quickly and our simple guy rope tie looked too fragile.

My difficulty is what to get for the Thule 4900 model awning fitted to the van as the two Thule kits seem to either fit to an "S" attachment on to the upper section of the leg (the side strap kit), which ours does not have.Or there is a second kit (the hold down kit), which is stretched above the extending support arms and below the fabric. The latter seems to be our best Thule option.

Is there any other solution that might be more robust but easier to fit and remove please? Any Auto Trail owners who have sorted a better solution?

regards,

AN E. Abroad

 

[Robert Clark]

We use one like this and simply thread the strap between the arm and the fabric - works a treat

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261549528533

 

[AnEnglishmanAbroad]

Thanks Robert. That seems a sound option.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[sallylillian]

Also the additional use of a PeggyPeg awning pole base is a good way of extra security but easy to release. I had some stainless plates cut for mine which I bonded to the plastic base to provide added strength on stony ground

 

[TheBig1]

i have always gone overkill with 25mm wide ratchet straps and 12 inch pegs driven into the ground at an opposing 45* angle. if the wind picks up suddenly so we cannot wind the awning in, i add a second strap and peg each end with the peg 2ft away from the 1st.
to attach to the canopy frame, i fasten it around the knuckle of the leg and the second round the leading edge.

far more robust and reliable than the flimsy webbing supplied in the kit or any standard guy line. each strap is rated at 2000kg and you can get them in various colours

 

[Raybreck]

Hi there,
We also have the 4900 awning which I hope the pic will show how we strap down.
We have also bought two extra support arms, the spring loaded ones which also give
extra support as well. Hope this helps.
Ray

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jezport]

We do these
They are extremely strong and wont damage the awning arms like the over the arm ones.

We also sell these

And of course we do offer Funsters a discount

 

[jezport]

We use one like this and simply thread the strap between the arm and the fabric - works a treat

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261549528533

These are designed for old style caravan awnings and will damage your arm joints in very gusty weather as it pulls against the joints in the wrong direction.

 

[davidbaldam]

We do these
They are extremely strong and wont damage the awning arms like the over the arm ones.
View attachment 161611

We also sell these
View attachment 161610View attachment 161610

And of course we do offer Funsters a discount

Can they be used if you already use the slots in the awning for a Lily pad awing panels?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[makems]

Can they be used if you already use the slots in the awning for a Lily pad awing panels?

Yes. We cut a gap in Kayder tape on the awning. Then slide the kayder tape on the tie down strap in the slot as we feed the awning tape in. Works a treat.
We have extensively used these straps we bought from Jez a few years ago and they have helped keep our awning secure in some pretty strong winds in Morocco where a gale can suddenly appear in seconds. We always try to put the awning away at night but on occasions the wind has been too strong to take the risk of winding it in without an army of assistants hanging on to it. It has been left out tied down securely with straps and very big pegs made of rebar and although a nervy night has ensued no damage has occurred.