Does anyone have an opinion on what is better? Storm covers or just bed flys?
I assume you can't fit both at the same time.
Chris
I assume you can't fit both at the same time.
Chris
Just Browsing Storm cover v fly's
- Thread starter ChrisFatboySydney
- Start date
Correct.
My preference? Bed privacy screens only ...the black ones. Good for privacy and 95pc effective for water protection if you keep them taut and keep the mattress away from the canvas.
We had storm covers but never ever needed to use them, even in very strong winds and cyclones. Others get them for keeping the inside darker for kids to sleep.
My preference? Bed privacy screens only ...the black ones. Good for privacy and 95pc effective for water protection if you keep them taut and keep the mattress away from the canvas.
We had storm covers but never ever needed to use them, even in very strong winds and cyclones. Others get them for keeping the inside darker for kids to sleep.
I have both and they are both good. The storm covers are really good, obvious weather protection, darker mornings, better for the aircon and the lack of thermal resistance from the canvas ... but traveling for a long time and short stays the storm cover never comes out. To put that into perspective, the nuisance is limited to taking out the bag, sliding the cover into the track (which is easy) and pushing in the press studs. Then unclipping, unsliding, folding up putting in the bag and putting bag away. Not much of a nuisance really; very much a precious first world issue
I made my mesh myself and its permanently mounted, easy, quick, privacy, airflow.
My mesh stays put even when I use the storm cover simply because I cant easily remove the mesh (not that I would)
In short the storm cover is awesome and better, but its a nuisance to fit so I rarely use it. If I did the sort of camping where I was staying stationary for week or more block at a time, I would use the storm cover all the time
Much the same as @Crusty181, I have and use both.
Usually only have the privacy screens down, but fit the flys if it looks like rain, or for warmth in winter, or to keep it dark and cooler in the mornings.
Can have both at once, however I have shared he press studs, so I Inclinomètre the screens from the van when using the bed end flys.
Usually only have the privacy screens down, but fit the flys if it looks like rain, or for warmth in winter, or to keep it dark and cooler in the mornings.
Can have both at once, however I have shared he press studs, so I Inclinomètre the screens from the van when using the bed end flys.
As @Dobbie said we use ours to keep it dark inside for the kids sleeping during the day as light comes through the green section of the canopy. They also will keep the standard canopy looking as good as new later down the line if it should be sold. If we need the Air con on they help keep the inside cool and vice versa.
If you are unfortunate to be caught in a storm you will not have to worry about the bed getting wet as this will protect the internal canopy which in turn keeps the mattress dry.
They can be fiddly to put up but to be honest its a 2-3 minute process per end after a few practice runs. they come down in seconds though, just pull them of the track and done.
You can still open up all the windows as they match the canopy windows and have the same feeling as though they are not even there so you can have the best of both worlds, fully opened or completely private.
Horses for courses
If you are unfortunate to be caught in a storm you will not have to worry about the bed getting wet as this will protect the internal canopy which in turn keeps the mattress dry.
They can be fiddly to put up but to be honest its a 2-3 minute process per end after a few practice runs. they come down in seconds though, just pull them of the track and done.
You can still open up all the windows as they match the canopy windows and have the same feeling as though they are not even there so you can have the best of both worlds, fully opened or completely private.
Horses for courses
I have both
yes you an have them both on / there / attached at the same time
I usually only fit them if longer than 2 days, or it looks like its going to rain
the black mesh ones stay on all the time
yes you an have them both on / there / attached at the same time
I usually only fit them if longer than 2 days, or it looks like its going to rain
the black mesh ones stay on all the time
Thanks everyone for all the information. I didn't realize you could have them both on.
I read that for 2015/2016 models you can now leave them attached during travel which appeals to me. I guess I'll just have to see how much privacy you get with the storm covers alone and can always add the mesh later I guess.
Thanks again
From my observations /experience:
Privacy screens (black) are genrerally designed to remain on while travelling. Just unclip to use. Most in use come from Jayco or recognised canvas suppliers. Some of us have made their own but the majority are custom made.
Storm covers are designed to be a temporary attachment as they are heavier and can restrict light and air: method of attachment varies but usually need stronger fixings than the lighter privacy screens.
Unless you're @Crusty181 .....and we all know he's different!
And you'll always get variations on this theme according to preferences.
I'd be interested to know the price currently being touted for both. Our storm ones cost about $750 and the privacy screens were included as a freebie so I have no idea of the 'listed' price.
Privacy screens (black) are genrerally designed to remain on while travelling. Just unclip to use. Most in use come from Jayco or recognised canvas suppliers. Some of us have made their own but the majority are custom made.
Storm covers are designed to be a temporary attachment as they are heavier and can restrict light and air: method of attachment varies but usually need stronger fixings than the lighter privacy screens.
Unless you're @Crusty181 .....and we all know he's different!
And you'll always get variations on this theme according to preferences.
I'd be interested to know the price currently being touted for both. Our storm ones cost about $750 and the privacy screens were included as a freebie so I have no idea of the 'listed' price.
http://www.campsmart.net.au/caravan-awnings/bed-end-flys/expanda-storm-covers has them listed as $440. I find them normally pretty reasonably priced from campsmart.
Chris
@ChrisFatboySydney
If you pop over tomorrow mate you can have a go at setting them up and playing around with them before you make your final choice.
A few people have advised they leave their black privacy screens fitted; is there a trick to folding away the bed ends with these still fitted. I had some difficulty so have ben taking them off each time we fold away the beds.
Yes there is, we were shown at handover, but basically you fold them up so they sit above the bed canvas and clip into the hard lid.
I'll try and take some pics for you later
@KECL .... On both our expandas the black mesh screens folded up and clipped in position with the existing press studs
Beaten by that much @Bellbirdweb
Beaten by that much @Bellbirdweb
Van down the "road" from us in the caravan park has Kakadu storm covers on a new lid'ed 17ft Expanda poptop and they are very neat and well fitted
Easy there @bigcol. You know how creepy it looks getting caught trying to take photos of someone elses van, when they have a lot of little kids ... especially the way I dress !!!!
The dude isnt helping, spread out over the entire site and parking his car outside the park. I cant tell when he's there; or most importantly when he's not