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There are yet some factors which have to be considered when you are planning to shop for annexes:

• The water resisting capabilities
• Fire resisting capabilities
• Weight
• Durability
• Service or repair centers
• Spare parts availability
• Ease of handling
• A sewn in floor
• Availability of the mud skirt
• Availability of weather proof skirt for the caravan

Caravanners who take along annexes and awnings to set up their own personal space out in the wild are faced with the issue of inadequate lighting. The most common light source used in led caravan annexes light and awnings is the usual caravan light. Other than a custom electrical work done for the annexe, there are not many options known to people. You may use a solar powered lantern but I am not sure whether it would provide sufficient lighting.

LEDs work perfectly for caravans and caravan annexes. Not only do they provide sufficient lighting inside the annexe, but they are flexible in terms of placement. Moreover, they consume less energy than other conventional lighting sources. LED strips are pretty sturdy and have waterproof covering on them to prevent sudden damage due to water. Nowadays, some camping and caravanning stores keep premade lengths of these LED strips. These pre-cut strips come with Velcro and fixing straps for convenient placement and faster installation at site.

As per my understanding, a regular annexe should require approximately 5 meters of LED strip lights. You need to measure out the centre bracing rib of the roof of the annexe if you need a centrally positioned light. Or else you could get more length of LED strip lights and line it up along the inside edges. Personally, I would prefer going for a centrally positioned light. Once you have positioned and fixed the light strips in place, you only need to connect it to a power socket.

LED lights are pretty soothing in nature and they consume less power. All of this makes them the perfect addition to your caravan’s annexe. You can even use left-over strips of LED to light up other areas such as wash basins, headrest for beds (to be used as reading lights), etc. There are numerous applications that can be made for this simple yet highly effective lighting source. Remember, if you don’t get the pre-cut version, you can always ask your electrician to make up a lighting kit for you that you may setup whenever you require.

I hope this was helpful to you. Don’t forget to share your opinions, views and ideas with us in the discussions thread below.

Caravans usually have an onboard gas system for allowing cooking to be carried out inside it. Not only is the gas system useful in cooking, but it also keeps the caravan warm. This can be pretty useful, especially when the weather outside is cold. The caravan’s gas system needs to be managed carefully to avoid any explosions or other fatal outcomes. This requires periodic maintenance and immediate repairing of damages that are detected.

Why Is Caravan Gas Safety So Important?

No matter how careful you might while handling the gas system, it is a volatile substance eventually. Without proper safety measures, it would be difficult to ensure the maintenance of a safe environment within the caravan. While it is important to conduct periodic maintenance for the system, it is even more important to get it done by professionals to avoid any mess-ups later.

Secondly, all caravans need to have proper ventilation to prevent build-up of gases inside the caravan itself. The vents need to have a permanent design which would allow the ventilation to be maintained throughout. It is best to leave these vents open and under no circumstance should you even think about blocking them. If there is a carbon monoxide build-up inside the caravan, then these open vents would allow the gas to move out and prevent it from getting concentrated to dangerous levels.

The problem with carbon monoxide is that it is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas. It is also deadly in nature and can cause death if the concentration is high inside the caravan. This is why modern caravans are equipped with carbon monoxide testers as well as smoke testers to make sure that all the appropriate security measures are implemented.

What is the Ideal Frequency of Getting the System Checked / Serviced?

The ideal frequency for getting your caravan’s gas system checked is once every year. This is not your average check-up where some pressure is applied to check for leakage. The person responsible for checking the gas system would perform a far more comprehensive check-up than usual, which includes monitoring the way the flame burns, monitoring the direction and movement of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle, etc. All of these checks are required to ensure that no fatal outcomes occur during the gas system’s operation.

How to Identify Improper Gas Combustion?

Improper gas combustion can be detected by checking the colour of the flame. A yellow flame indicates improper combustion which could lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide inside the caravan. A large blue flame indicates that everything is in perfect condition. So whenever you have a yellow flame, make sure that you get the system checked by a professional before it’s too late.

How to Detect Problems with the Gas Fridge?

The cooking system is not the only component that utilizes gas, the gas fridge also uses it in order to function properly. For identifying problems with the gas fridge, you need to inspect the actual vent (placed on the outside) and check for carbon build up. A carbon build up is usually marked by a black mark on the side of the caravan. If this happens, then get your caravan checked immediately and shut off the gas system completely till everything is inspected by the professional.

Caution! - Position Your Caravan Awning Carefully

Some vans have the gas fridge / vent towards the awning’s direction. So whenever you have a full awning or an annexe, then incorrect combustion could cause a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the van which would prove to be fatal. So before installing a caravan annexe or an awning, make sure you check the vents and outlets for the gas. This small precaution can help you to avoid dire situations and ensure the safety of your caravan’s gas system.

We get almost everything online nowadays, be it edibles or apparels. In keeping with this trend, annexe and awning manufacturers have also brought their services to the online domain. However, there is a concern among caravanners about the authenticity or quality of products being sold online.

For a start, always try to buy first hand products online. There is absolutely no sense in completely trusting used products that are sold in online portals. If you really need to go for it, then make sure you physically inspect the product and contact the seller before you proceed. The same applies to buying first hand products.

Caravan annexes need to be bought as per the specifications of the RV that is in your possession. You need to know exactly how to measure, what to measure and why to measure. Without this understanding, you would end up with the wrong caravan annexe. Most online sellers have a guide which explains the correct way of taking the required measurements. Some sellers also provide professionals who can take measurements and even install the annexe on site for you.

So before you consider the safety aspect of caravan annexes, it is important for you to understand how the process works. Every online seller will have a catalogue of products that are available with it. This is only meant to give an idea of the offerings that are being provided. If you are not able to make up your mind for a particular product, then you should always consult with professionals.

Once you have expressed interest in a particular caravan annexe, the seller would need the exact measurements of your vehicle for ensuring a proper fit for the annexe. This step reduces the risk of getting the wrong materials. However, the risk is not completely eliminated. There could be issues with the fabric and / or the quality of the materials used. You should, therefore, always buy caravan awnings and annexes from reputed sellers as these involve hefty investments and further issues might make you incur loss.

As long as you know and understand the product, you should be able to stay away from harm. A good way to approach this would be to consult experts and do background research so that you are aware of the features of an annexe. With the right preparations and a little precaution, buying caravan annexes online should not be much of a trouble.

The best way to describe a caravan annexe is to relate to the extension of your personal space when you travel in a caravan or a motorhome. All you need to do is to just open up the annexe and the entire structure comes into place with completely enclosed space that can be used for a wide range of activities from sleeping to just sitting around in comfort. If you have adequate air conditioning facility in your caravan, then the annexe can provide you a space where you can get the comfort of air conditioning, without having to bear the harsh temperature outside.

Use the following tips to help you get started in your search for a suitable yet affordable annexe for your caravan.

Size Does Matter

Don’t just get any annexe because it costs less and looks rather appealing to the eye. The most important aspect of any annexe is that is should fit perfectly with your caravan or any other RV that you may have. There is no point in getting an annexe which is loosely fitted or does not comply with the dimensions of the vehicle. Failure to ensure this important fact will definitely cause problems in the long run.

If you do not have standard measuring instruments with you, then you can use a piece of string to measure the dimensions of your vehicle and then use these specific dimensions to find the most suitable annexe for you. Even if you are looking at cheap options, you should not compromise with size compliance under any condition.

Check out the Annexe Type and Relate it to your Needs

A caravan annexe is not just an enclosure that travels along with your vehicle, it is your personal living space on the roads and during your trips. So you should give adequate time for identifying the type of caravan awning that not only suits your needs but is compliant with your budgetary constraints. Conducting a thorough research is probably the best way to learn more about the types of annexes available. This will also help you to understand the features that are most efficient in fulfilling specific requirements that you may have.

Is it Easy to Store?

Irrespective of the fact whether you are a frequent traveller or you prefer to head out on trips once in a blue moon, the storage of the annexe is an important consideration that you need to make. You should check whether the annexe is accompanied by lines, straps and bags as these help to keep the annexe intact and in place during storage. It should not prove to be a hassle. If you feel that the storage requirements for a particular annexe is too much, then you should consider other options.

Don’t Go For an Annexe that Exceeds the Weight Constraints for the Caravan

Your vehicle may be really powerful and stunning, but even then it has certain weight constraints. If you overload the vehicle, then there are chances of accidents being caused. Get in touch with awning manufacturers and find out the weight of the annexe models that you are interested in. Once this information has been acquired, you can check the maximum load bearing capacity for your caravan. And don’t make the mistake of adding the weight of the occupants and the annexe for calculating the overall weight of the caravan. You need to consider every bit of equipment, material and resource that has been loaded on the RV.

Consider Second Hand / Used Annexe

Nothing can be more affordable than a used annexe. Many times people want to upgrade their gear or do not have the time to travel much, so they sell off their annexe. Now this is a really tricky situation. You need to be very careful while examining the annexe so that you don’t get duped into investing in an ineffective product.

You should also compare the prices of the second hand annexe and a new annexe with the same specifications. If the difference is justified, then you can invest in it. There is no point in investing in a used caravan annexe which costs just a little less than a new one. In such cases, it would be better to save up and go for a fresh piece.

 Be Careful!

Not many have the budget to afford a new annexe for their caravan. At times, people may choose to opt for a cheaper or used caravan annexe because their travelling needs are limited and investing in a new annexe which would be rarely used does not hold enough value. With a little effort and a lot of research, you can get yourself a wonderful caravan annexe.