| Apart from the caravan itself, your awning is | | | | straps aren't advisable for use over long periods |
| likely to be the most valuable item you take with | | | | of time and should only be used when absolutely |
| you when on a touring caravan holiday, and as | | | | necessary. |
| such it's vital you protect your investment against | | | | Your choice of awning is also very important, as |
| an all too common problem - storm damage. | | | | for year round use a heavier duty awning with |
| Storm damage is caused by extreme weather | | | | strong (but heavy) steel poles from a respected |
| conditions such as high winds or very heavy rain | | | | manufacturer might be a safer option. If you're |
| or snow, and often results in bent poles or ripped | | | | worried about weight then top-end carbon fibre |
| seams but in a worse scenario can mean an | | | | poles are strong and light, but remember that if |
| awning that is broken beyond repair and a | | | | they are pushed beyond their limits they will snap |
| severely damaged caravan. | | | | rather than bending over as a steel pole would. |
| However, there are some simple precautions | | | | Most aluminium poles are light weight, but in |
| which you can take to minimise your risk of | | | | general don't offer the same amount of strength |
| storm damage, the easiest of which is to avoid | | | | as steel or carbon fibre - that said some |
| severe weather conditions in the first place! | | | | manufacturers make fantastic aluminium poled |
| By simply keeping an eye on the weather reports | | | | awnings so be sure to shop around and read lots |
| prior to and during your caravan break, you | | | | of reviews. |
| should be able to spot any warnings about high | | | | If the worse happens and none of your safety |
| winds or storms in the area and either avoid | | | | measures have worked, then it's important you're |
| putting the awning up in the first place, or take it | | | | awning and caravan are adequately covered by a |
| down before the bad weather's due to hit. | | | | specialist caravan insurance policy. Some caravan |
| If you think the weather is taking a turn for the | | | | insurers don't cover damage caused to an awning |
| worst, but are certain there are no extreme | | | | during a storm, so ensure that you choose a |
| weather warnings, then a heavy duty awning tie | | | | policy which includes what is normally referred to |
| down kit, also known as a 'storm strap' is a good | | | | as 'storm damage to awnings cover'. That way, if |
| way to keep everything anchored down securely. | | | | you ever do get caught out by the weather and |
| These tend to feature heavy duty stakes, extra | | | | a storm hits before you get chance to take down |
| strong nylon straps and a sprung mechanism at | | | | your awning, damage to the awning and damage |
| one end which allows the awning to flex slightly - | | | | caused by the awning blowing into your caravan |
| meaning that under very strong winds the stakes | | | | will be covered. |
| are less likely to be pulled out. | | | | Remember that it's not just the damage to your |
| Most awning 'storm' straps are designed to go | | | | caravan that needs to be insured, but also the |
| directly over the top of the awning on the | | | | awning itself, and as such be sure to add its value |
| outside, meaning they are in direct contact with | | | | to your total sums to be insured when taking out |
| the material of the cover and may cause wear | | | | an insurance policy. |
| over time. It's for this reason that awning 'storm' | | | | |