if you can find someone who has one
then have a sticky beak at it
would be betterer
never seen them before
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
18' Series It has arrived. Picked up our new Expanda!
- Thread starter Lozza T
- Start date
if you can find someone who has one
then have a sticky beak at it
would be betterer
never seen them before
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
15 minutes my arm pit
its got 8 straps to the edge of the awning
plus it sits inside the awning................. like a double roof (maybe ok in summer in the Kimberleys - dunno about Victoria though)
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
its got 8 straps to the edge of the awning
plus it sits inside the awning................. like a double roof (maybe ok in summer in the Kimberleys - dunno about Victoria though)
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
@Lozza T ... My thoughts are (Others may be different depending on their own preferences)
1) Privacy/Shade screen *Try posting a bit more so your post isn't boring* for the long wall for summer use and weekend stays (Plus 1x end shade screen depending what direction we are parked
2) Full annexe for long trips or inclement weather (No comment please @bigcol and other WA forumites
) If you get similar to an australiawide annexe the setup options are almost limitless as you can put up what you want including just a half of the long wall as @bigcol said 3) I have no idea as I would like to see it in the flesh before commenting.
At the end of the day it is up to you and what type of camping you intend to do.... But trust me during each trip you will think of something to add/change
This I have checked out recently.
Essentially, the Thule Fiamma stuff is designed and made for the European market and is very lightweight. We walked away from them very quickly as we thought they'd be totally inadequate for our conditions.
Didn't like the fastenings, didn't like the plastic they use, didn't like the lack of flexibility .....didn't like much at all, particularly after watching a video of their camping room I think it is called....on the Thule website.
But, there is a market for them.
I reckon you'd be fine with a long wall....around $100 on fleabay...just make sure it's got the sail track
One or two side walls with Velcro tabs.....about $80 each.
You'll know after a few camping trips, in different weather conditions, whether that's sufficient and it will be 90percent of the time.
Then decide on other options later but the above can still be used so it's not wasted.
But defiantly steer clear of the Thule stuff, IMHO.
One or two side walls with Velcro tabs.....about $80 each.
You'll know after a few camping trips, in different weather conditions, whether that's sufficient and it will be 90percent of the time.
Then decide on other options later but the above can still be used so it's not wasted.
But defiantly steer clear of the Thule stuff, IMHO.
No one has mentioned anti flap kits as yet, Aussie Traveller anti flap bars are by far the best anti flap system on the market and you will need these if you are getting an annex.
We have a full annex (never used it) and coast to coast long and short shade walls, we only use the shade walls. We personally use our Expanda to enjoy the great outdoors if I wanted to be boxed in by four walls I would book into a motel.
The long wall slides into the sail track that is included in the awning roller and can be pegged down using occy straps or something similar or put up on poles as you have mentioned, the short wall is cut at an angle at the top the same as the the awning it slides into the sail tracks included in the ant flap bars.
I use the short wall at the rear of the van as I have a porch (awning extension) that's slides into the anti flap bars at the front.
We have a full annex (never used it) and coast to coast long and short shade walls, we only use the shade walls. We personally use our Expanda to enjoy the great outdoors if I wanted to be boxed in by four walls I would book into a motel.
The long wall slides into the sail track that is included in the awning roller and can be pegged down using occy straps or something similar or put up on poles as you have mentioned, the short wall is cut at an angle at the top the same as the the awning it slides into the sail tracks included in the ant flap bars.
I use the short wall at the rear of the van as I have a porch (awning extension) that's slides into the anti flap bars at the front.
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Side walls for a poptop can be attached two ways.
First, the Velcro tabs attached to the awning arm...this leaves the top triangular area open but it's good for the breeze but can let the rain in. By far, the best option for quick setup, short stays and protection against light wind and light rain.
Second, the attachment to the afk...antiflap ....along the awning itself so the side wall requirement is different. Yes, you need an afk for this and there are several versions. After trying several, our preference is the fiamma model as it's easier for us. But that's a personal preference and only used for longer stays and /or in heavy rain or strong winds. Definately more watertight and wind resistant. Ours have never leaked yet, even in cyclonic conditions. The side wall usually then has to be custom made as its triangular....or you can get a triangular infill but that gets more fiddly
And both are easy to clean. We tend to get lots of sand blow so just throw them over the line and hose them.
Both types of side wall are pegged down with bungies or whatever and can be vertical, at an angle or erected with extra poles so good eyelets that are strengthened are needed. Personally we use rubber rings cut from truck tyres but again, that's a personal preference.
For costs, the off the shelf or fleabay offerings are best.
For protection, a full annexe or heavier walls are best.
For ventilation, the side and end wall only is easy and relatively private.
For weight and ease of travelling, the light side walls are best
For cleaning, anything but a full annexe!
This is becoming a bit of a debate....good cos I sure didn't know about all this before we needed to make some decisions...and my comments are influenced by our tendency to camp a lot on sand on Noosa northshore which attracts strong winds, driving rain and heat at some stage when we're there for three weeks at a time.
I found some photos of our early efforts to get protection years ago....it's like a jigsaw of different sizes of tarps strung together and often sagging when rained on. Not the neatest campsite and not the driest. We're far better off now!
First, the Velcro tabs attached to the awning arm...this leaves the top triangular area open but it's good for the breeze but can let the rain in. By far, the best option for quick setup, short stays and protection against light wind and light rain.
Second, the attachment to the afk...antiflap ....along the awning itself so the side wall requirement is different. Yes, you need an afk for this and there are several versions. After trying several, our preference is the fiamma model as it's easier for us. But that's a personal preference and only used for longer stays and /or in heavy rain or strong winds. Definately more watertight and wind resistant. Ours have never leaked yet, even in cyclonic conditions. The side wall usually then has to be custom made as its triangular....or you can get a triangular infill but that gets more fiddly
And both are easy to clean. We tend to get lots of sand blow so just throw them over the line and hose them.
Both types of side wall are pegged down with bungies or whatever and can be vertical, at an angle or erected with extra poles so good eyelets that are strengthened are needed. Personally we use rubber rings cut from truck tyres but again, that's a personal preference.
For costs, the off the shelf or fleabay offerings are best.
For protection, a full annexe or heavier walls are best.
For ventilation, the side and end wall only is easy and relatively private.
For weight and ease of travelling, the light side walls are best
For cleaning, anything but a full annexe!
This is becoming a bit of a debate....good cos I sure didn't know about all this before we needed to make some decisions...and my comments are influenced by our tendency to camp a lot on sand on Noosa northshore which attracts strong winds, driving rain and heat at some stage when we're there for three weeks at a time.
I found some photos of our early efforts to get protection years ago....it's like a jigsaw of different sizes of tarps strung together and often sagging when rained on. Not the neatest campsite and not the driest. We're far better off now!
Coast to Coast make end walls with that are angled at the top to suit IE: no gap for sand or rain and no need for fiddly bit at the top.
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@Dobbie mate I cant remember, I think it was around 180 and 120 but don't quote me on this. From memory this is what the Sunbuster side wall alone cost so no where near as dear as the Sunbusters but they are no where near the quality of the Sunbusters also.
In saying that though I reckon we will get many many years of use from the Coast to Coast versioneace:.
In saying that though I reckon we will get many many years of use from the Coast to Coast version
eace:.
Thanks @Axl
We've already ordered the sunbusters so it's probably academic anyway but, if we're ever stupid enough to order another van, the coast to coast give another option.
As said, we've had two lots of sunbusters already and they're great quality. We really only use them when we do our couch potato type of camping.....arrive, set up, and sit on our bums for three weeks with a bit of fishing in between.
And, in case anyone wonders, we have absolutely no affiliation with the Sunbuster mob...just really happy with their product. (Current order includes their B.A.R.E......not sure what it stands for but its the extended awning over the barbecue version of the side wall with the spreader bars and poles)
We've already ordered the sunbusters so it's probably academic anyway but, if we're ever stupid enough to order another van, the coast to coast give another option.
As said, we've had two lots of sunbusters already and they're great quality. We really only use them when we do our couch potato type of camping.....arrive, set up, and sit on our bums for three weeks with a bit of fishing in between.
And, in case anyone wonders, we have absolutely no affiliation with the Sunbuster mob...just really happy with their product. (Current order includes their B.A.R.E......not sure what it stands for but its the extended awning over the barbecue version of the side wall with the spreader bars and poles)
BARE bbq awning roof extender.Thanks @Axl
We've already ordered the sunbusters so it's probably academic anyway but, if we're ever stupid enough to order another van, the coast to coast give another option.
As said, we've had two lots of sunbusters already and they're great quality. We really only use them when we do our couch potato type of camping.....arrive, set up, and sit on our bums for three weeks with a bit of fishing in between.
And, in case anyone wonders, we have absolutely no affiliation with the Sunbuster mob...just really happy with their product. (Current order includes their B.A.R.E......not sure what it stands for but its the extended awning over the barbecue version of the side wall with the spreader bars and poles)
Thanks Bigcol, Dobbie, Axl & Dagree for the info.
The Thule product is now out of the equation.
I have decided to go with the 3 scree walls.
Front draw bar end with a porch set up.
An end wall to the rear of the van.
And the long front wall.
Spoke to Sunbuster and I was very impressed with the salesman and what he had to say about his product.
Vinyl roof is water proof (to the porch area) BARE Bbq Awning Roof Extender.
Mesh walls are water resistant.
Heat resistant.
10 year warranty.
Question is whether all of this comes at a significant cost?
I did a comparison with other brands via ebay etc.
An end wall is about $100
A porch / wall is $239
The long wall is $216
Anti flap kit approx $350
Total - $905
Sunbuster pricing
An end wall is $300
A porch / wall (BARE) is $385
The long wall is $263
Anti flap kit approx $ free
Total - $948
Sunbuster is looking pretty good from my end. Only question is whether their AFK is of good quality?
The Thule product is now out of the equation.
I have decided to go with the 3 scree walls.
Front draw bar end with a porch set up.
An end wall to the rear of the van.
And the long front wall.
Spoke to Sunbuster and I was very impressed with the salesman and what he had to say about his product.
Vinyl roof is water proof (to the porch area) BARE Bbq Awning Roof Extender.
Mesh walls are water resistant.
Heat resistant.
10 year warranty.
Question is whether all of this comes at a significant cost?
I did a comparison with other brands via ebay etc.
An end wall is about $100
A porch / wall is $239
The long wall is $216
Anti flap kit approx $350
Total - $905
Sunbuster pricing
An end wall is $300
A porch / wall (BARE) is $385
The long wall is $263
Anti flap kit approx $ free
Total - $948
Sunbuster is looking pretty good from my end. Only question is whether their AFK is of good quality?
What a coincidence . ..I was talking with Garry and Steve yesterday.
The grasshopper clips are fine for the afk. It's a really good product but we're opting this time for the Fiamma one, only because we find the clips a bit tight and don't have the strength in hands to fit them easily.
We're the only ones who've had that minor problem.
That's a good price...about the same as ours with our discount.
The grasshopper clips are fine for the afk. It's a really good product but we're opting this time for the Fiamma one, only because we find the clips a bit tight and don't have the strength in hands to fit them easily.
We're the only ones who've had that minor problem.
That's a good price...about the same as ours with our discount.
Sounds like you have got it all worked out @Lozza T, the only comment I would make about the Sunbuster AFK is from the pics on their web site I can only see one sail track on the bars, I may be wrong as it is not easy to see.
The Aussie Traveller AFK has two sail tracks, this allows you to hang an annex wall and have the front porch on at the same time should it be required.
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If you did need the extra sail track you could also use this, http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=13819