Measuring for awnings:
A complete guide to measuring a caravan awning for anti-flap kits, roof rafters, privacy screens & more.
What Anti-Flap kit should you use?
Choose the ideal Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap kit size for your RV or camper awning!
If you are wondering how to measure your caravan awning to fit an Aussie Traveller anti-flap kit perfectly then you've come to the right place. With so many variations of awnings and caravan accessories, it's pretty easy to become confused. This comprehensive overview of the Aussie Traveller anti-flap kit in Australia will help you find the perfect set-up to suit your needs.
The problem is, that many people measure the incorrect part of their awning, meaning many individuals choose the incorrect size of their caravan anti-flap kit.
The Aussie Traveller Caravan Awning Anti-Flap kits come in three sizes:
Small: 2.1–2.2 metres
Medium: 2.2 to 2 metres
Large: 2.3 to 2.4 metres
*Extension brackets are available for awnings with projections greater than 2.4m.
The Anti-Flap Kit breaks down to 4 individual sections (2 pieces per end), when joined together form a full-length clamp. This full-length clamp holds to the awning fabrics outside edge to prevent wind flap. Measure the awning extension from the wall of the vehicle to the roller tube, to determine the correct Anti Flap Kit length required. Please refer to the diagram below.
Full Extended Anti-Flap Kit:
Every awning has a different "extension" length. It depends on the manufacturer's brand and year of production. To get this dimension right, you MUST measure your ACTUAL awning when it is mounted to the van. If you unroll your awning or simply guess from the specs of the awning you just bought that's still sitting in the box, it will be hard to purchase the correct ones. Your Aussie Traveller anti flap kit needs TENSION to work, so you want to install it properly the first time.
Important: Pay attention to how the roller tube is rotating. The initial "roller tube polyrod"—where the vinyl of the awning first attaches to the roller and typically includes a plastic-type lining—should NOT be seen from below.
The roller will be spun somewhat more clockwise than shown in the above diagram if the awning is fully extended, creating the "gutter effect" shown below. This is TOO FAR stretched, and it needs to be curled in a little to resemble the example above. The gutter effect has the drawback of causing water to collect here and eventually leak inside your annexe wall.
The illustration below demonstrates how your Aussie Traveller anti flap kit fits based on how your awning is configured. This dimension must be measured in order to choose the appropriate anti-flap kit length.
If you follow these instructions you should be able to install your new Aussie Traveller anti flap kit without any issues. Grab a friend or family member to help you mark out a spot where you will drill the hole in the drum/roller. It doesn't hurt to double-check if you have the right size by holding it to the side of your awning.
How to measure your caravan awning to fit a caravan privacy screen or annexe wall kit?
A side annexe wall is fed into your Aussie Traveller anti flap kit through the space in the middle. When your Aussie Traveller anti flap kit is not extended, the gap in the centre begins at roughly 60mm (ie a 2100-2200mm kit has a 60mm gap when set at 2100mm, and a 160mm gap when set at 2200mm). In general, it is simpler to install the sidewall in the wider gap. Therefore, whenever you may choose between a smaller or larger kit, choose the smaller one so that the gap is wider. In addition to the Aussie Traveller anti flap kit, it is helpful to purchase some curved roof rafters to support the centre of your awning, in case of a torrential downpour.
Privacy screens for caravans are a great addition to your travel gear. They can offer wind, weather, and sun protection and are lightweight and simple to stow whilst also expanding your living spaces and improving your privacy. Caravan privacy screens run along the front of your caravan.
It is fairly simple to measure a roll-out caravan awning for a privacy screen. All you need to know is how long your awning is. Do you measure the awning's entire length or just the length of the roller bar? Either is fine.
How to measure your caravan awning for an annexe wall kit?
When measuring your roll-out awning, measure the distance between the two awning bars/metal support arms.
To be sure, gauge the space between the metal bars rather than the cloth awning. The units of measurement are in feet when you go to order your annexe wall kit, but a quick google should give you an accurate conversion. You can see options here and choose the correct size here.
Why do awning sizes come in feet?
Since American manufacturers have historically produced caravan awnings, most measurements are expressed in feet. Awnings are given names based on their overall size. Therefore, if you have a 13-foot awning, it measures 13 feet from metal support bar to metal support bar. You won't even have to get out your tape measure to figure this one out, because we've made it easy:
Example:
* A 3.7-metre screen is needed for a 13-foot (or 4-metre) awning in order for the screen to fit inside the awning's roller.
If you do want to measure, the vinyl on your awning's roller bar is the simplest way to take measurements for a caravan privacy screen.
How to measure your caravan for Curved Roof Rafters?
To raise and tighten the vinyl roof, curved roof rafters are designed to fit in the centre of your awning. Here are some considerations before ordering your caravan awning curved roof rafters:
- 1x rafter must be placed in the centre of any length under 15 feet.
- More than 15 feet require two rafters spaced evenly.
- As an added benefit, the rafter can provide you with a little more height over your door if it is properly positioned, preventing the top edge of the door from rubbing against the vinyl roof.
Curved roof rafters come in a number of different varieties, including:
- 120mm curve for the Aussie Traveller
- 75mm curve for the Aussie Traveller
- 25mm-curve Curved Rafter from Coast
- Curved Center Rafter by Fiamma
The curving rafter will eventually tend to stretch the vinyl roof over time, but by then the awning is definitely past its prime and needs to be replaced. We hope these explanations help you to choose great products that greatly improve your camping and caravanning adventures!
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