Need to Stop Your Caravan Awning From Flapping? Here’s How.
You’ve found the perfect campsite, set up the van, put up the awning, settled into your favourite camp-chair, and you’re ready for some much-needed R&R. Just when you are getting nice and relaxed…… flap, flap, flap, flap! Arrrrgh!
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to reduce or even eliminate that annoying flapping from your awning when the breeze picks up. How do you stop your caravan awning from flapping? There are a few options we’ll cover to find the best solution for you.
Our Top Picks:
– Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap Kit
– Aussie Traveller Curved Rafters
– Awning tie-down kits
Install an anti-flap kit.
There are various anti-flap kits on the market, with different makes, designs and costs, but they are all designed to do the same thing. Stop (or reduce) your awning from flapping in the breeze. Some are more successful than others. One that we have found to work quite well is the Aussie Traveller AFK.
The Anti-Flap-Kit gets put up after you have set up your awning. It only takes a few minutes, so it’s worth taking the time to put it up every time you set up your awning. Not only does it stop the annoying flapping, but it also strengthens your awning against wind and rain.
Grab the anti-flap kit that we use every day, the Aussie Traveller Anti Flap Kit
How does the Anti-flap-kit work?
The Anti-Flap-Kit clamps down nice and tight on the two side edges of your awning, which stops the awning material from moving up and down. It also creates a brace, which strengthens the whole awning.
Another benefit of the Anti-flap kit is that some models have sail-tracks built in that you can easily attach an awning wall. This can give you even more shade and protection from wind and rain.
Curved awning rafters.
Another trick to stop your awning from flapping is to add curved awning rafters to your awning. Not only can the awning rafters reduce the flapping, but they will also strengthen your whole awning.
They create another brace and help the rainwater to run off instead of pooling, which can stretch and damage your awning material.
How do curved awning rafters work?
Curved awning rafters get installed underneath your awning roof material, between the outer edge of your awning and the side of your caravan. They will slightly push up on your roof material to create a curve, which makes the roof tighter, reducing the flapping.
The curve also helps any water to run off without pooling. These also only take a few minutes to set up. The size of your awning will depend on how many rafters you will install, usually 1,2 or 3. The manufacturer will advise on how many you will need.
Set your awning roof at an angle
Whenever possible, always set your awning roof at an angle by lowering the outer edge. This will reduce the amount of wind that gets trapped underneath the awning, which will push your awning up and make it flap.
Check the wind direction
Another effective trick is to take the time to set up your caravan so that the awning side is facing away from the prevailing wind. By doing this, when you set up your awning, it will be facing away from the wind, and the caravan will create a shield.
The wind will blow over your van and down onto the top of your awning, not into your awning, which can lift your awning up. The other bonus is, is you have an outside kitchen; less breeze will make cooking easier.
What wind speed is too strong?
While the anti-flap kit and curved rafters are strong, you’ll still need to tie your awning down to ensure it is secure in the breeze. Check out this article for some tie down hints and tips
If you’re wondering if the wind speed is going to be too much for your awning, it is always safer to retract your awning and put it up again when the wind backs down. The rafters are strong, but not invincible.
Our Thoughts
We recently travelled for 10 months and every time we set up the awning, we also set up our anti-flap kit and roof rafters…… and we have never lost an awning. Just remember, if in doubt about the wind speed, take down your awning.
If you invest in an anti-flap kit and curved rafters, take the time to fit them every time you set up your awning. We use and recommend the Aussie Traveller AFK. It only takes a few extra minutes to set up, but it may just save your awning when that sudden freak gust of wind comes along to wreck your perfect weekend.
A few minutes checking your awning setup goes a long way. Our caravan maintenance schedule covers this and the rest of your caravan, season by season.
If you have any questions, feel free to join our Facebook page, and grab yourself an antiflap kit for that added piece of mind (and less flap, flap, flap!)
