Awnings ??

There is no doubt that the Aussie Traveller awning which BT favour is one of the most stable in high winds. There is not much that can go wrong, and I am all for keeping things simple. We don't have any problems putting it up, and only the occasional problem retracting it into the storage canister.

In short, we are happy with the Aussie Traveller, and have installed it on our 2nd BT van.

But... if you have any mobility problems (one of those things that can happen as we all get a bit older), then they are probably not a good choice becuase of the need for a step ladder and a good balance. On the other hand, some Bogger friends of ours have a rollout awning, and this has the advantage that you can put it up quickly if you are just stopping somewhere for a quick cuppa - that is not really practial with the Aussie Traveller..

It's like all things.. the best solution depends a little on individual circumstance.

The other question is whether or not to have a full awning with walls - you are going to get a wide range of opinions on this one. Some swear on having a full awning, others will tell you that they purchased walls and never use it.

In our case (having had a full awning in a previous camping life), we went without the awning walls, and have not regretted it thus far. And if you are stuck in an area where the mossies are really bad, one of those flyscreened kitchen thingys is probably a better option.

Hi Rick and Julie, welcome to the Boggers.

We have the Aussie Traveller and it has withstood some really strong windy situations.

We have full annexe walls and had clear plastics made that can be velcroed over the fly mesh when we want light but not rain.

Angie

Rick and Julie - Wecome to the BOG,
In some coastal conditions where the winds vary considerably I have noticed owners with the roll out types nipping out to retract them and later rolling them out again. They are certainly easy to roll in - roll out but I bguess they may be prone to damage in sudden high winds. But I have no personal experience.

I have never taken to awning down in the last 18 months despite some pretty gusty nights.

The Aussie Traveller may take a little longer to put up but with the poles pegged and guy lines out and pegged thay are rock solid.

Cheers
John and Jean

Having just picked up our BT it has the Aussie Traveller and as we have not used it at present we cannot comment on it but the setting up as shown by the guys at the factory make it appear that after a few times it will get pretty easy to use.

I agree with the annex walls as a lot of people we spoke to when doing our design said they hardly ever used them and the weight of them is heavy.

We went like another BT we saw setup which had the full annex but only in the tennex mosquito wire which is the smaller type.

We can enclosed the area when we are at a spot for a while and have an enclosure that we can see out of but have no flys or migies.

We had a door put in one end and one put in the long wall. The weight of this annex folded up is nothing and packs away very small.

Food for thought.

Stewart & Marlene

Hi Rick and Julie!

Welcome to BOG Land! We opened the website today intending to write a thread about awnings and - Lo and Behold - you have started it for us. Thank you!

we are nearly as new as you are as we are still awaiting our BT which rolls out of production in November. So we are still at the planning stage. We have received 3 negative opinions on the Aussie Traveller Coolabah. The first said that it was way too difficult to pull out when balanced on a ladder. This person strongly laments the denial of option of having quick shade for the roadside cuppa. Another person showed us his van which was very well set up after years of serious bush bashing. He stated flatly that the awning was one of the weakest points. A third story came to us indirectly of a person who had the awning flip over the van roof in a strong wind causing equipment damage up top.

So last week we went to the AT factory in Brisbane and had a chat. The awning was demonstrated with ease by an assistant who was not a big strong weight training healthy young male - quite the opposite. She had no trouble with it although we did note that it was not up high and she was only on a small step. She also talked about their other awnings and strongly talked up the toughness of the Coolabah in off-road situations suggesting others in their range would fall apart on corrugations. (I guess this is the voice of manufacturing experience).

The awning walls looked good with micro midge screens. They seem to be ready to customise designs. The canvas of walls and awning is rugged. We forgot to ask about a skirt/curtain piece below the van but this would be a must for us. Does anyone know?

We came away feeling quite good about the awning but prepared to do more homework with other manufacturers.We realise that each of us has to be able (in a fix) to get the awning down especially in bad weather so we are still deliberating.

We would welcome any more comments from more experienced BOGGERS.

Cheerio

Jim and Penelope

We have a Coolabah fitted to our 19ft 2000 build Bushtracker, and I wouldn't swap it for the world.
True we have to use a two step set of steps in the process of erection and stowing, but we find this to not be a bother. We use the same steps in attaching our insect screen walls on the annex ends at the higher points adjacent to the van, but the rest of the attachment is managed from the ground.

The Bushtracker factory fitted the press studs to the chequerplate at build time for the canvas windskirt fly/bug stopper between the van wall and the ground, and this works well. Would recommend you include this with screen walls at the least. Aussie Traveler also make up this windskirt fly/bug stopper to suit the van dimensions and step.

We have since purchased the canvas walls for the annex specifically for use when camped on site for a longer period with lots of gear in the annex and desiring a greater level of security when away from a lonely camp.(If its not on show its less likely to get pinched, theory). The screen walls get most use as this allows views of the surrounding countryside while partaking of libations, and we also use the annex without any walls for 1 or 2 night stopovers simply because its easier. If the bugs get bad go inside, the van is screened.

Whenever we stop for a quick cuppa or lunch, we don't bother with the annex, just have it in the van or under the shade of a convenient tree. If no tree & its too hot, start the generator and put the A/C on.

Narrow winding tracks can be a very real problem for any annex, and the housing for the rolled up Coolabah annex is good protection for the annex. We broke the centre securing clip that secures the stowed annex facia board on a tight track negotiation once when the wheels encountered an unseen depression, but these are readily available as a replacement part from Aussie Traveller, and their service and parts turnaround time is fast, just like BTI's, and are easily fitted by the average handy person. If you can drive a phillips screw driver you can do the job.

I dont know if the problem I was told about relating to the base of the arms of the roll out type awnings has been rectified or not, but I was told the the breeze applying alternating forces to the annex caused a thunk thunk, thunk thunk type noise resulting from movement where the arms attached to the van walls or in the arm extension securing points. This would be tollerable during the day but murder at night. Dont know if its still a problem, maybe its been since rectified.

All things considered, I think I would still choose the Coolibah, the only down side is the steps requirement to erect and stow, and if you want sides on any annex attached to a Bushtracker or any other high clearance van, I believe you would still have to use the steps anyway.

Hope this helps & doesn't confuse

Happy travelling

No need to put it out for those 10 minute breaks. RELAX instead. There is usually enough shade around the van. Midday you may look for a suitable tree. Half the fun is finding a suitable tree. An hour or two later you have really worked up a thirst or an argument.
It's not too bad inside the van.You can lie down and recoup (if you are allowed) away from the flies, heat, cold ,wind, rain, the neighbours............etc.

Dianne.

Our 2006 BT is fitted with the coolabah with full annexe walls and we also have a side tentex wall, all are very light and easy to fit with the zippers and pack down very tight in two small bags.

You can also get the flatest packing 3 step aluminium ladder from howards storage
world

We also run the the draught flap on the side of the van for longer stays.

And a little bit of fogger works great for those mozzies.

Scott & Jacky

Well, we'd like to thank you all for your feed back on the awning selection and we also got more tips on walls and insect things...much more than we'd hoped for.

We'll try to get to see them at the Aussie Traveller factory in Brisbane when we're there next and we'll be armed with some good info thanks to you guys.....a great resource this collective experience bank.

We also have another request about fuel usage, but we'll make it another thread.

Thanks again to all and most of all thanks for making us feel welcome here...sounds like a good family to belong to.

Hope to meet some of you as the wheel turns.

Cheers
Rick & Julie

Welcome Rick & Julie,

We have also had the AT Coolabah since new in 2002. In 2004 we added the screen room and skirt. Perfect for keeping the bugs out. We even had dinner outside at Dalhousie Billion-Fly Springs! The ladder is only for you Rick (with the winder). Julie stands on the top step and reaches up to release the catch and let down the frame. It takes a bit of practice and co-ordination but the awning can be up in 4 minutes, complete with 3 roof bars, 8 pegs and 4 guy ropes. Not even Cyclone Angie would budge it!! Make sure you tighten the wing nuts on the poles.....or even put a tent pole clamp above the joint....so it won't move down if a gust comes over the top of the van, blowing downwards.

A 3 step ladder is best....have a look at the one in Pictures....under Tellem Bugrem gallery.

Perhaps we'll have An Awning Up competition at Copeton??

Happy travels...................Rob and Liz

G'day again Rick & Julie,

You can expect that 17 l/100k to blow out to 26 - 27 towing the BT. The V8 pulls our 18 footer easily, but the worst part is going down hill. It has no where near the compression braking ability of the Diesels, so you are adding extra wear to both tow vehicle brakes and caravan brakes. We'll be keen to try the 200 series with the 5 litre twin turbo V8 diesel when it comes out in October. 230kw and 570Nm of torque sounds like it'll be a top tow vehicle.

There are a few boggers who don't have partners and they have mastered the art of the AT awnings without assistance! You undo the two end clips first and then the middle one, where you can lower the frame by yourself.

Cheers................Rob