HOW TO INSTANTLY STOP YOUR CARAVAN AWNING FROM FLAPPING

HOW TO INSTANTLY STOP CARAVAN AWNING FROM FLAPPING  

Just the idea of owning a caravan is incredibly enticing. These vehicles offer more fun and convenient travel opportunities as they allow you to park your car anywhere you spot a nice view. Moreover, the wide capacity of caravans is also great if you love to go to places with your friends and family.  

While all that seems very encouraging to buy a caravan, people who own these vehicles often deal with one minuscule but frustrating issue: awning flapping.

At first, it seems easy to deal with. However, you become more irritated as the winds blow stronger and the sounds get more aggressive. But don't worry, because we have got your back. This article will let you know about two of the most effective ways to instantly solve the frustrating awning noise and maybe even determine the better choice.

CARAVAN ANTI-FLAP KITS 

Before you purchase an anti-flap kit, you must first measure your caravan awning. Since these products come in different sizes, measuring will let you pick the length correctly. For added support, it is highly recommended to purchase curved roof rafters along with anti-flap kits, which will be positioned in the middle of the canvas.

You will be drilling several holes to complete the installation, so you better prepare the proper equipment. The aluminium bars hold a clip on one end and a pin on another. Our job is to determine where they will go on our awning, drill holes, and attach brackets to fasten them. 

From the edge of the canvass, measure 20 millimetres (depending on your kit) towards the inside of the awning. Similarly, from the top of the canvas, measure the same millimetres downwards. The intersecting point will represent the centre of the stainless steel brackets. 

Just the same, to drill the holes for the pins, you will have to measure 20 millimetres (depending on your kit) from the edge of the canvas and the same from the top of the canvas. 

Next, install the anti-flap kit and proceed to tighten the centre knob and fasten the locks. Make sure your rafter is positioned correctly before you move to the next. 

The process will be the same for the curved roof rafters: measure, drill, attach, and fasten. 

Before you do apply the steps to your caravan, be mindful of the following: 

1. Triple check the measurements for the size of your kit to make sure it will fit exactly to your awning for better and more effective results. 

2. Examine your awning and make sure it is correctly set up and fully extended before you start drilling holes to avoid errors. 

3. Likewise, you should also make sure you are measuring the size you will allot for your kit while the awning is fully extended for more accuracy. 

CARAVAN DEFLAPPERS

This solution is known for being affordable and straightforward to set up. Furthermore, caravan deflappers offer a quick and easy fix to your problem. 

Typically, these products come in pairs to support both sides of the awning. They have plastic clamps that will be attached to your awning's vinyl. For adjustments, caravan deflappers come with Velcro straps that you wrap around the awning roller tube. 

Going on an adventure on your caravan free of all the noise brought by awning flapping is every traveller’s dream. Both of these tools will help you achieve that. In determining the best, you need to highly take into consideration the size of your canvas. Compared to deflappers, anti-flap kits are more heavy-duty and reliable. Although deflappers can also withstand strong winds, we cannot deny that anti-flap kits offer more support and durability. 

Therefore, choose to purchase the anti-flap kits if you have a rather wider canvas and if you are planning to stay somewhere with extreme winds. On the other hand, you can select the deflappers for smaller-sized canvases. 

OTHER OPTIONS 

STABILIZER KIT 

This alternative comes in different forms. However, most of them will require you to use pole support, stakes, and some straps.

The very first step is to extend the awning fully. Next, set up the support cradle that will be wrapped around the edge of the awning roller tube. Adjust the pole support depending on the height that you want your awning to reach. 

The straps will be the next to set up. Using a hammer or a hard rock, force the stake through the ring or any provided hole of the straps to the ground. Next, loop the free end of the strap over the awning roller tube and attach it to the previously positioned cradle support.

The method may not entirely prevent your awning from flapping, but it gives added support and stability. 

AWNING STRAPS

Another way to increase stability is by installing awning straps. The best part about this method is that you can get some materials from your home. Specifically, you will need bungees, sturdy stakes (preferably with holes), ropes, carabiners, and camrings. 

First, place the stake firmly into the ground and loop the bungee over one of the ends of the awning roller tube. Next, tie your rope onto one carabiner and hang it to the bungee holes. The other free end of the rope will then be placed through and linked to the two small holes of the camring. Once you have done that, loop the rope into the stake's hole. Finally, the last step is to run the rope into the camring tensioner and make the necessary adjustments.