Forgive my ignorance lol, but a lot of people on here talk about having anti-flap kits - do I need one for my awning or is it only if you are setting up an annexe? (I don't have an annexe)
17' Series Do I Need an Anti-flap Kit???
- Thread starter Flossymk1
- Start date
An AFK Usually comes when you get an annex because you need to 'hang' your annex walls of the AFK.
Therefore, without and annex and in half decent weather you dont need them, however, in strong winds they will make your awning rock solid.
I probably wouldn't rush out and get them just yet.
Having said all of that, I've always had an annex and therefore access to AFK. I did often out them up without the annex for piece of mind.
Perhaps others on the forum have opinions or have AFK without an annex
Therefore, without and annex and in half decent weather you dont need them, however, in strong winds they will make your awning rock solid.
I probably wouldn't rush out and get them just yet.
Having said all of that, I've always had an annex and therefore access to AFK. I did often out them up without the annex for piece of mind.
Perhaps others on the forum have opinions or have AFK without an annex
That's interesting...we have a Kakadu annex but I haven't seen an AFK with all the stuff....mind you I don't know what I am really looking for.
Would you leave an awing up with an AFK on if it was really windy? We have done the mercy dash out in the middle of the night a few times to put the awning in quickly, for fear of it being ripped off.
We picked brought a S/H one ebay cheap for our van coming tomorrow. AFK kit we pickup on the weekend. Now if its fits our van will not know 
thought correct size so brought it. Had plenty of time looking for stuff waiting for the van. I just thought piece of mind for those night time trips..
thought correct size so brought it. Had plenty of time looking for stuff waiting for the van. I just thought piece of mind for those night time trips..
Yes @relgate I think down the track I would look at getting some for peace of mind - doing a mercy dash in the middle of the night like @benandjordansmum doesn't sound like much fun! lol
So does anyone have any recommendations on good brands/types of anti-flap kits? I have a 17.56-2OB Expanda
I guess there is wind and there is wind...
I have had my awning up in pretty strong winds and slept well. As long as the legs are still attached to the van, AFK is on and you have ropes from the barrel pegged to the ground. They are essential I reckon.
Short answer is NO, you don't need them however HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, I have a set and no annexing, The mercy dash usually happen at 2 times in the day, either in the wee hours when your snoring your head off, or when you've gone out for the day.
Aussie Traveller is the main brand and most popular, however if you don't wont to shell out the $$$ just yet, for around $40 you can pick up anti flap straps the just clamp onto the awning ends and Velcro around the awning end bar. throwing a full length strap across the top and pegged down will also assist.
At the end of the day if the wind is strong enough, nothing will save it, I had mine out full AFK on roped 2x dual ropes and pegged *Try posting a bit more so your post isn't boring* 12" pegs, with legs still attached to van, while off at shower (ensuite site) I heard a loud bang, looked out to find the wife and daughter trying to hold the awning, one end had let go in a freak gust of wind and the AFK bar almost whacked one of them in the head as it let go, by the time I got out there 3 neighbours also hanging onto it trying to roll the awning away. fortunately no injuries or damage.
Aussie Traveller is the main brand and most popular, however if you don't wont to shell out the $$$ just yet, for around $40 you can pick up anti flap straps the just clamp onto the awning ends and Velcro around the awning end bar. throwing a full length strap across the top and pegged down will also assist.
At the end of the day if the wind is strong enough, nothing will save it, I had mine out full AFK on roped 2x dual ropes and pegged *Try posting a bit more so your post isn't boring* 12" pegs, with legs still attached to van, while off at shower (ensuite site) I heard a loud bang, looked out to find the wife and daughter trying to hold the awning, one end had let go in a freak gust of wind and the AFK bar almost whacked one of them in the head as it let go, by the time I got out there 3 neighbours also hanging onto it trying to roll the awning away. fortunately no injuries or damage.
Last edited:
Thanks @relgate , will have double check we don't have an AFK, before buying one and see how it goes.
Aussie Traveller AFK's are the go. There is a trick to fitting them initially, ie drilling the hole in exactly the right spot in the awning tube. I would recommend getting someone like Tebbs etc to fit them and they will have all the right clips that you need and they sell the centre rafter kits as well. Then when you are on site and you know you have roped them off well, you don't have to worry when you are down the street and the wind pops up.
It is heaps quieter at night and if you want an annexe you need them anyway. Once you first use them get some tape or a marker and mark which way they go, it just speeds up the installation. With mine I just kept them together and market them front and rear.
It is heaps quieter at night and if you want an annexe you need them anyway. Once you first use them get some tape or a marker and mark which way they go, it just speeds up the installation. With mine I just kept them together and market them front and rear.
Just get the little clip on ones. They dont take much time to pull off if you have to do a sudden awining roll up at 2:00 am.
@macca I think I measure 15 times drill once.. found someone posted a how they did it for the hole http://caravanliving.com.au/article/how-to-install-the-aussie-traveller-anti-flap-kit/
A lot more around.. the instructions from Aussie Traveller online is a little lite on info
A lot more around.. the instructions from Aussie Traveller online is a little lite on info
We had the clip on strap ones on the last van and they "seemed" to do the job but still did the midnight run when the wind picked up.
New van we have the Aussie Traveller AFK's and two curved roof bars. Haven't used them while away yet but did set them up on the front yard and the awning was as tight as a Scotsman. It rained that day and not one puddle of water on the awning (Old one used to end up with a big pool of water on it.
New van we have the Aussie Traveller AFK's and two curved roof bars. Haven't used them while away yet but did set them up on the front yard and the awning was as tight as a Scotsman. It rained that day and not one puddle of water on the awning (Old one used to end up with a big pool of water on it.
Aussie travellers for us especially when free camping on the beach in WA with the cyclonic winds that we get.
Aussie travellers for us too, being a light sleeper its nice to not hear that flapity flap flap in the night