Omnistor tension rafter

Yes I have tried it.  I bought one to go in the centre of my 6200 awning which put it out of action for the best part of a year!  I eventually had my 6200 replaced with a 6300 under warranty for which you need these:

https://www.roseawnings.co.uk/shop/thule-awning-accessories/integrated-tension-arms-for-thule-omnistor-6300/

They work very well, are easy to fit and take up no space.  They are standard on larger 6300s.  I don't know why they are not standard on the smaller 6300s.

a clearer photo from the Thule website:

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/van-accessories/awning-accessories/thule-tension-arm-set-to-6300-_-302095

Without the rafter and setting the awning as a slope, water can pond and the weight break the frame of the awning. This does happen.

Peter Brown wrote:Without the rafter and setting the awning as a slope, water can pond and the weight break the frame of the awning. This does happen.

The 6300 tension arm isn't a rafter but tensions the awning fabric just as the G2 rafters would.  Either way, I find with the fabric tensioned and the natural steepness of the awning fitted to the Nuevo, no water pools on it.  Thule recommend having one awning pole lower than the other to facilitate rain runoff but so far I haven't found this necessary when the tension arm is fitted.

The 6300 tension arm is cheaper than the G2 rafter, especially as two of the latter are required for the short awning fitted to the Nuevo.  As I found out, there isn't enough space for one G2 rafter in the centre of the awning.

The rafters for the side panels are more expensive than the G2.  I agree that one either side of the awning fitted into the existing sockets will do a good job but I still recommend having the tension arms which brace the two folding rafters without the use of additional rafters.  These are not available for the 6200 but are for the 6300.

When I briefly used one G2 in the centre of my 6200 it made a big difference, so I can imagine one each side would be even better.  When my 6200 was replaced with a 6300, I had a choice of buying a second G2, so I could use one each side or buying the tension arms.  I did the latter which was also advised by Thule and Rose Awnings.  Not only were the tension arms cheaper, they folded out of the way when the awning was rolled in which is better than storing 4 x 4' 6'' poles in the outside locker.  The tension arms work on a different principle to the G2 rafters.  You roll out the awning as normal and then fold out the tension arms which push the awning rail and folding rafters out as far as they will go thereby tensioning the fabric.  The tension arms lock in place preventing the folding rafters from retracting.  To release the tension arms, you roll out the awning so the fabric goes slack.  Then you can fold the tension arms back and roll in the awning.  As you will know, with the G2 you have to roll the awning in until the G2 springs reach their stops and then roll it out to release the G2 before the awning can be put away.  There's not much in it but I reckon you get an extra inch or so of awning with the tension arm method.  I now have a redundant G2 rafter should anyone want to buy it from me.  Alternatively, I could just keep it on the off chance I decide to do what you have done and fit a side panel.  As you have said, the side panel comes with one (more expensive) rafter which has to be balanced with a second rafter on the opposite side, which could be the one for a second panel or just a G2 on its own.  For most of last year I wasn't able to use my 6200 awning due to the damage caused to it by my centre mounted G2.  It was a real pleasure to start using my new 6300 awning this year with its tension arms.  Such was the improvement over the old 6200, I was confident leaving the awning out overnight and when we went out for walks.  Had it been very windy, we would still have rolled it in.  All the new A-S models now come with the 6300 and the longer ones have the tension arms as standard.