Your caravan awning flapping in the wind isn’t just annoying – it’s destroying your relaxation and potentially damaging expensive fabric. Every experienced Big Lapper has watched their awning dance in a light breeze and wondered if there’s a better way than constantly winding it up at the first sign of wind.
The answer is an anti-flap system, but choosing the right one depends on your awning type, travel style, and how much setup faff you’re willing to tolerate. Some systems take 30 seconds to deploy, others require a PhD in engineering. Some work brilliantly on roll-out awnings but are useless on bag awnings.
Here’s everything you need to know about anti-flap systems to make the right choice for your rig.
What Are Anti-Flap Systems?
Anti-flap systems prevent your awning from moving in the wind by adding structural support and tension. Without one, even a 10km/h breeze can turn your peaceful campsite into a constant drumbeat of flapping fabric. The noise aside, this movement stresses awning fabric, arms, and mounting points, leading to premature wear and potential failure.
These systems work by either tensioning the awning fabric directly or providing rigid support underneath it. The goal is to eliminate movement while still allowing you to use your awning in conditions that would otherwise force you to wind it up.
Most anti-flap systems will let you keep your awning out in winds up to 25-30km/h, compared to the 15km/h maximum most manufacturers recommend without additional support. That’s the difference between enjoying outdoor living and being trapped inside your van on breezy days.
Check your awning warranty before installing any anti-flap system. Some manufacturers void warranties if you use third-party accessories, though this is becoming less common as these systems prove their worth.
Types of Anti-Flap Systems
Tension Strap Systems
The simplest and most popular option. These use adjustable straps to create tension between your awning and the ground or van, preventing movement by pulling the fabric taut.
The Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap Kit Pro ~$169 is the gold standard here. It uses high-quality webbing straps with cam buckles that attach to your awning rail and peg down to create diagonal tension. Setup takes about 2 minutes once you know what you’re doing.
Pros: Quick setup, works on most awning types, compact storage, relatively affordable.
Cons: Requires good pegging points, straps can get in the way of furniture placement, limited effectiveness in very strong winds.
Rigid Rafter Systems
These provide solid structural support under your awning using adjustable poles or rafters. Instead of tensioning the fabric, they hold it up from underneath, similar to a roof structure.
The Fiamma Centre Rafter Pro ~$89 represents this category well. It’s an adjustable aluminium pole that extends from your awning rail down to the ground, providing central support that eliminates sag and reduces flapping.
Pros: Very stable in high winds, doesn’t interfere with furniture placement, can support additional weight like lights.
Cons: Slower setup, takes more storage space, more expensive for full coverage, can create a trip hazard.
Combination Systems
Some manufacturers combine tensioning and structural support. The Supa-RV Anti-Flap Kit ~$149 uses both rafters and tension straps in a single package, giving you the benefits of both approaches.
Tensioner Systems
Purpose-built for specific awning brands, these integrate more closely with your existing hardware. The Thule Tension Rafter G2 ~$199 is designed specifically for Thule awnings and provides both support and tension through their proprietary mounting system.
Measure your awning projection (how far it extends from your van) before buying any system. Most are designed for specific size ranges and won’t work properly if your awning is too big or too small for the kit.
Choosing the Right System for Your Setup
Awning Type Compatibility
Roll-out awnings (the most common type) work with virtually any anti-flap system. The awning fabric feeds out of a roller tube, giving you multiple attachment points for straps or rafters.
Bag awnings are trickier. These slide out of a fabric sleeve rather than rolling off a tube, which limits your attachment options. Tension strap systems often don’t work well because there’s nowhere secure to attach the straps. Rigid rafter systems are usually your best bet.
Wind-out awnings (manually cranked) present the same attachment challenges as roll-outs but may have weight limitations that rule out heavier rafter systems.
Travel Style Considerations
If you’re constantly on the move and value quick setup, tension strap systems win hands down. The Aussie Traveller kit can be deployed in under 3 minutes with practice, and the straps pack into a small bag.
Long-stay travellers who might be in one spot for weeks can justify the slower setup of rafter systems in exchange for rock-solid stability and the ability to hang lights, fans, or other accessories from the additional structure.
Free camping enthusiasts need systems that work without powered sites or hard ground for pegging. Some rafter systems can be weighted down with water containers instead of being pegged, making them more versatile for challenging sites.
Storage Space Reality
Tension strap systems win the storage game. The entire Aussie Traveller kit fits in a bag smaller than a laptop case. Rafter systems require significantly more space – multiple 2-3 metre poles don’t compress much, even when telescopic.
Consider where you’ll store the system when not in use. External storage boxes work for rafters, but straps can live in internal cupboards without taking up precious space.
~$169
Installation and Setup Considerations
Permanent vs Temporary Installation
Most anti-flap systems are designed for temporary setup – you install them when you deploy your awning and remove them when packing up. This approach works well but adds to your setup routine.
Some travellers modify their rigs to accept permanent mounting points for faster deployment. This might involve installing awning rail accessories or mounting plates, but check warranty implications first.
Ground Conditions
Tension strap systems require good pegging, which rules them out on hard surfaces like concrete or rock. If you frequently stay in powered sites with concrete slabs, consider weighted rafter systems instead.
Soft sand presents the opposite problem – pegs can pull out under tension. Some systems include sand pegs or stakes designed for loose conditions, but you might need to upgrade your standard kit.
Setup Complexity
Simple tension strap systems require minimal learning, but getting the tension right takes practice. Too loose and they won’t prevent flapping, too tight and you risk damaging your awning or the straps themselves.
Rafter systems have more components and adjustment points, making setup more complex but also more customisable. You’ll need to adjust height, angle, and sometimes horizontal positioning to get optimal support.
Never leave any anti-flap system deployed in extreme weather. These systems prevent damage from normal wind but aren’t designed for storms. Wind speeds above 40km/h can overwhelm any system and cause serious damage to your rig.
System Comparison
| System | Price | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap Kit Pro Best Overall | ~$169 | 2-3 minutes | Most travellers, roll-out awnings |
| Fiamma Centre Rafter Pro | ~$89 | 5-8 minutes | Long stays, hard ground camping |
| Supa-RV Anti-Flap Kit Medium Good Value | ~$149 | 3-5 minutes | Budget-conscious, medium awnings |
| Thule Tension Rafter G2 | ~$199 | 3-4 minutes | Thule awning owners only |
| Outback Explorer Tensioner Pair | ~$79 | 1-2 minutes | Budget option, light winds only |
Our Recommendations
Best Overall: Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap Kit Pro
For most Big Lappers, the Aussie Traveller kit hits the sweet spot of effectiveness, ease of use, and value. The build quality is exceptional – these are made in Australia with materials designed for our harsh conditions. The straps won’t stretch or fade, and the hardware won’t corrode.
Setup is intuitive once you’ve done it a few times, and the system works effectively in winds up to 25-30km/h. The compact storage and reasonable price make it accessible to most budgets.
~$89
Best for Hard Ground: Fiamma Centre Rafter Pro
When pegging isn’t possible or reliable, the Fiamma rafter provides excellent central support without ground anchoring requirements. You can weight the base with water containers or use it in combination with awning weights for powered sites with concrete.
Best Value: Supa-RV Anti-Flap Kit
The Supa-RV kit offers a combination approach at a reasonable price point. You get both tension straps and a central rafter, providing more comprehensive coverage than single-approach systems. Build quality isn’t quite at Aussie Traveller levels, but it’s perfectly adequate for occasional use.
Budget Option: Outback Explorer Tensioner Pair
At under $80, these simple tensioners won’t win any awards for sophistication, but they’ll prevent flapping in light winds. They’re adequate for occasional use or as a backup system, but don’t expect them to handle anything approaching serious wind.
- Tension strap systems offer the best balance of effectiveness, setup speed, and storage efficiency for most travellers
- The Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap Kit Pro is the gold standard for quality and performance
- Rafter systems excel for long stays or hard ground camping where pegging isn’t practical
- Match your system to your awning type – roll-out awnings work with everything, bag awnings need rafters
- No anti-flap system is designed for extreme weather – always pack up in storm conditions
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