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We have an Omnistor sun canopy fitted to our Autocruise Startrail and I have several queries about this....
firstly, we had a straight telesopic rafter supplied with the canopy when we bought our MH. There are 3 fixing points underneath the canopy where this can be fitted to secure it if it is windy, does this mean you need 3 fitted or will one do the job. When I asked a member of staff at our last Caravan Club site, he stated that MHs dont usually come with ANY ! as they are classed as an accessory, is this true ?.
Secondly, is it advisable to buy the straps I have seen other MHers use on the canopy to tie down to the floor or are these just a waste of money.
Any lastly, on our last outing we came across another Startrail and having spoken to them, I noticed that their locker doors and gas locker door all had seals on the door and also the body, ours does not have both,both vehicles are the same age ? we only have seals on the body which is causing draughts !!!
I have attached pictures of their lockers
I look forward to your input on these questions
Cheers
______________________________________________________________ WE LOVE OUR "MO"
We always use a tie-down strap over the canopy if it's even slightly windy. It has a spring mechanism at one end which helps take the strain if it's gusty.
We also peg the legs down securely.
I have seen a canopy torn off and it's not a pretty sight.
When you look at the area of a canopy it's not unlike a sail on a yacht and these sails pull along several tons in the lightest of breezes.
I strongly advise you to" tie your canopy down sport"
ps where's the pictures?
______________________________________________________________ Barry
we also always use a tie down strap for the same reasons as bigbazza I think they are essential and usually fit it automatically when we extend the awning
our awning came with one rafter if you mean the roof pole, we usually use it as it tensions the roof, useful in rain
I suppoe it might depend on the width of the canapy ours is 4 metres and one seems enough
The Omnister tie down's that clicks into the tops of each leg, are really a must, honestly. Awnings can collect a lot of wind, which it is never possible to anticipate and has already been said, you do not want to see what happens if the wind does lift the awning. Quite literally I have heard of parts of the support brackets ripping out; that means part of your van ruined. Even if that does not happen a broken awning can cost well over £400, its just not worth the risk.
Alan
I believe that all Omnistor awnings over 3.5m come with one tension rafter which is intended to go in the centre fixing. The fixings nearer the extremities are for additional poles for a safari room.
I have a large awning (4.5m I think) and I have 3 of the sprung tensioning rafters and they are VERY useful. The fixing points are far too far in from the edges to be used for safari room !!!
I would also reccomend the tie-downs that slot into the front rail, FAR superior to the ones that loop over the top AND they dont knacker the awning material
Clipped.....I would also reccomend the tie-downs that slot into the front rail, FAR superior to the ones that loop over the top AND they dont knacker the awning material
I agree.
Ours is at least 6mtrs long, and it wants to take off, even in a slight breeze. We have two of the spring loaded tensioner bars, and they do make a difference.
We are now using the tie downs that slot into the front rail, (superb anchoring abilities). Please be aware though, there are two different diameters of tubing, and it is the larger of the two that fits the Omnistor 5500.
Cheers,
Jock.
______________________________________________________________ For "Our Mavis."
Omnistor make their own tie down straps which I believe may be a better choice than the slotted type that goes into the horizontal slot that runs along the front of the awning. The Omnistors design locks into a slotted hole at the top of each leg.
The front rail tie down prohibits using the wind/sun screens that are becoming ever more popular.
The Omnistors are called 'Hold down kits' and are very strong.
http://www.hillviewawnings.co.uk/accessories.htm
Alan
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Omnistor sun canopy / awning
For "Our Mavis."
