Quick side awning solution - Outwell Hillcrest

[Hawthorn37]

We’ve had Outwell Hillcrest and Fallcrest tarps for a while, and used them occasionally. We’ve come up with a quick rain protection solution that works well for us, without winding out the Thule side awning and risking water pooling, or the wind causing damage to it.

We’re using figure of 8 strips on the top edge of the side awing edge, like we do for our drive away awning now. The Outwell tarp slots into the fig of 8 easily, and then can be either pegged down to give rain protection to the door and side window (for cooking), or by using the poles provided you get a nice area to sit/ cook under.

Because the tarp is fixed on the top of the side awning, as opposed to the slot at the bottom, you gain about 10cm above the sliding door - useful to miss the door when opening, and good to shed water if you use the poles.

Takes about 5 mins to rig it.

 

[Stu@rt]

We’ve had Outwell Hillcrest and Fallcrest tarps for a while, and used them occasionally. We’ve come up with a quick rain protection solution that works well for us, without winding out the Thule side awning and risking water pooling, or the wind causing damage to it.

We’re using figure of 8 strips on the top edge of the side awing edge, like we do for our drive away awning now. The Outwell tarp slots into the fig of 8 easily, and then can be either pegged down to give rain protection to the door and side window (for cooking), or by using the poles provided you get a nice area to sit/ cook under.

Because the tarp is fixed on the top of the side awning, as opposed to the slot at the bottom, you gain about 10cm above the sliding door - useful to miss the door when opening, and good to shed water if you use the poles.

Takes about 5 mins to rig it.

Sounds useful - Any chance of a picture?

 

[Californication69]

What’s the deal over just sliding into the awning after cracking it open 20mm ?

 

[Hawthorn37]

What’s the deal over just sliding into the awning after cracking it open 20mm ?

We used to do that, and yes it’s a bit simpler to rig. But the tarp can rub on the top of the sliding door, and when using the poles the outside edge of the tarp can be higher or level with the fixing to the wind out awning, meaning rainwater pools beside the van and drips through.

 

[Californication69]

We used to do that, and yes it’s a bit simpler to rig. But the tarp can rub on the top of the sliding door, and when using the poles the outside edge of the tarp can be higher or level with the fixing to the wind out awning, meaning rainwater pools beside the van and drips through.

Understand, Thank you.
And yes Pictures or it didn’t happen

 

[Hawthorn37]

Sounds useful - Any chance of a picture?

Sorry - tried to upload photos but currently we’re on a poor CAMC site Wi-Fi. Trying again. I’ll add photos with and without the use of the king poles.

 

[Stu@rt]

Sorry - tried to upload photos but currently we’re on a poor CAMC site Wi-Fi. Trying again. I’ll add photos with and without the use of the king poles.

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Brilliant - Thanks for taking the time

 

[California Dreamer]

Sorry - tried to upload photos but currently we’re on a poor CAMC site Wi-Fi. Trying again. I’ll add photos with and without the use of the king poles.

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Thanks for doing this very helpful! How long is your figure of 8 strip and do you know a cheap place to buy them please?


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[Hawthorn37]

The total length is about 2.7 metres. So get a 3 metre kit and you’ll be okay. We just bought locally at the club shop. Search on line I guess you can get cheaper. Make sure they’re 6mm.

 

[Dippa]

@Hawthorn37 how have you attached the figure of 8 to your awning please ? Does it just slide on ?

 

[Californication69]

@Hawthorn37 how have you attached the figure of 8 to your awning please ? Does it just slide on ?

Open awning 5cm, pop the figure 8 on top of awning metal part, it’s just sheet metal.
Doesn’t need to be pushed on hard, just go ahead and rest it on top.
Wind the awning back in, the awning metal part will squeeze the figure 8 against the awning housing and secure it.
Then go slide in your outwell tarp.
Job done.

Looking forward to trying this.

 

[Dippa]

Open awning 5cm, pop the figure 8 on top of awning metal part, it’s just sheet metal.
Doesn’t need to be pushed on hard, just go ahead and rest it on top.
Wind the awning back in, the awning metal part will squeeze the figure 8 against the awning housing and secure it.
Then go slide in your outwell tarp.
Job done.

Looking forward to trying this.

Thank you! I’ll order this now then, ready for my custom made tarp when it comes!

Did you purchase yours from campervan bits ?

 

[Up10]

Thank you! I’ll order this now then, ready for my custom made tarp when it comes!

Did you purchase yours from campervan bits ?

Just posted this on another awning thread today but it is possibly relevant to this one as well.

Alternative to Wind-out awning?

Hi I am the happy owner of a California Beach, having bought it a few weeks ago. There are lots of things still to learn, but I have discovered that as well as fitting a solar panel, the previous owner also fitted a second leisure battery under the driver's seat. the van came without the...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Californication69]

Thank you! I’ll order this now then, ready for my custom made tarp when it comes!

Did you purchase yours from campervan bits ?

Cannot remember where I bought the outwell tarps, but it was just before the time when they were out of stock for many months !
Glad I kept them.

 

[Hawthorn37]

@Hawthorn37 how have you attached the figure of 8 to your awning please ? Does it just slide on ?

They push/clip on to the top edge. Quite easy. You’ve got to trim to the length of the awning cassette.

Recent experience: when buying the figure of 8 strips get good ones. We bought some to replace snapped Vango ones and the plastic is too soft, so the attached tarp / driveaway awning can pull out in wind.

 

[Steve&Bev]

Is this a wind up??

 

[Calijen]

Hadn’t thought of using the outwell tarp to protect the door opening from the rain, thanks. We did however use it to protect the Fridge side of the van from direct sun when in Portugal last year, kept the side of the van nice and cool protecting the fridge from working too hard.