Canopy Accessories

inspiredron wrote:Lillypads are very useful but don't expect to leave them up while away from the van or at night. Simply hanging the sides from an expanding clothes line prop wedged between the van side and the front rafter of the canopy is somewhat insecure. They are useful for keeping out draughts though and take up very little space when not being used.

Paramedic wrote:That looks excellent and would definitely be interested in your offer.

Forgot to send image.

Paramedic wrote:Hi davecrawf, we purchased same for our previous Broadway ES and inspiredron has given the basic principle on the design. It proved most useful say on a late summer's afternoon into the evening when it got chilly, allowing you to reside outside protected from the cooling breeze. It fits on a 3.5 metre awning rail. Now we have changed our van, it is for sale if you are interested. Regards.

Paramedic wrote:Further davecrawf, I've sent you a pm.

gpilky wrote:Hi Dave,

You could take a look at Thule Smartpanels (if your wind-out is Thule). You can get different sizes of panels depending on the configuration of your set-up.

The side panels come with a tension rafter they helps stabilise the awning. I only got one side so I bought an extra rafter for stability.

New lockdown purchase so haven't tried them in earnest yet.......

Gary

Caraman wrote:The Thule Omnistore seems to be one A-S fit now.  My question about the Thule rafters was for Gary/gpilky who has them.

gpilky wrote:

Caraman wrote:The Thule Omnistore seems to be one A-S fit now.  My question about the Thule rafters was for Gary/gpilky who has them.

Hi Caraman,

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier. The Tension Rafter G2 came with a variety of adaptors that you choose depending on the canopy model. The User Manual and Spare Parts list are here . You should be able to find out everything you need to know from there.

The rafter on the Smart Panel did not need any adapter and fitted directly on my van to the connections already there - I looked at buying a spare instead of the Tension Rafter but they were hugely expensive. The Tension Rafter did need one of the adapters.

By the way, some sites advertise them but don't have them in stock. There appears to be limited supply from Thule. I got mine from Hillview Awnings, and they did have everything in stock.

Hope this helps - let me know if I can help further

Gary

gpilky wrote:I'm not sure whether a single rafter in the middle would be enough and did wonder if it would be a more even tension with a rafter at both ends. Not to say it won't work - I guess you can get one to try it and add another if it doesn't work out. I thought i saw somewhere that if the canopy it not very long you can't put a rafter in the middle - but perhaps this was a third leg. Probably best to check.

Having said this, as I had a rafter at one side with the side panel, it made more sense for me to have a second at the other side too to keep it even. I've tried it on the drive and it seemed fine, but yet to try in earnest on a site..... 

I only wanted a side-panel and a short section at the front to form a sort of 'cosy-corner'. As the rafter for the side panel has grooves in my original plan was to by a second grooved rafter for the other side too so I could swap the sides quickly if I wanted to (the Tension Rafter G2 doesn't have the grooves!).

Caraman wrote:I've just bought the one tension rafter for use in the middle but haven't fitted or used it yet.  As far as I can see, the wider end of the rafter that goes at the motorhome end has a plastic bracket permanently attached to it that fits into a receptor permanently attached to awning.  Is this correct?

I see you have also got the metal plates to secure the bottom of the upright poles.  I also have these.

gpilky wrote:I had my tension rafters and side panels on last week and what a difference the tension rafters make. The canopy feels really solid with them in place and the added bonus it that the canopy itself is pulled tighter (so less likely to flap?). Took a couple of minutes extra to fit them. Used Thule storm straps to hold the canopy down.

The panels themselves were easy to put on, but they are quite long. I got the size recommended by Thule but to be honest I might have been better with one size shorter.

Overall, I'm pleased with the setup - its really nice to have the sheltered area to sit / store things out of the rain (and we had a nice dry patch despite it raining heavily all Saturday afternoon!). I've attached some photos ......