Club 80-90 Forums

Just got back from a windy weekend on the east coast and I couldnt help but notice that my kyham driveaway seemed to be taking a real beating compared with the old style type awnings that you see on most caravans. Are those actually more rigid or do I need to reexamine my tent pitching skills?

Also, I have a groundsheet for my driveaway sleeper but I cant seem to figure out how its supposed to work with the tent. There are some holes that appear to match up with those on the tent and some that don't. It didnt come with any instructions nor can i find any on the kyham site. Is anyone out there in the know?

Cheers

We had a similar problem last weekend up at Arisaig. We were quite exposed near the beach and the wind was rattling in. The awning was well tied down but when we went to take it down in the morning one of the joints snapped - still trying to get a replacement organised as the one I got was the wrong size!

We were on mull a few years ago with this huge tunnel tent and it got really windy, ended up rolling rocks up from the beach to sit over the pegs and parked the car upwind but still ended up having to stand inside hanging onto the poles!

I think the shape of the khayam makes it susceptible to wind as it hasn't got such a sloping side to deflect air. Our friends have just got one of those retro 70's chalet style awnings for their bay - ill be interested to see how that holds up on a typical windy western isles campsite this summer.

This is something that has been discussed many times on here; No the Khyam isn't quite as sturdy as a frame built awning, but a frame built awning cannot be pitched in minutes like the khyam - you simply can't have everything in one awning

However, there should be an amount of movement when your khyam is pitched to absorb the energy from the wind

Our Khyam drivaway has with stood many a strong wind. One particular time when we were at Cherry Tree farm, Croyde a whole load of tents were blown away but the Khyam stood tall as the morning light revealed 1/2 the campers had taken refuge in their cars.

dirtygertie wrote:This is something that has been discussed many times on here; No the Khyam isn't quite as sturdy as a frame built awning, but a frame built awning cannot be pitched in minutes like the khyam - you simply can't have everything in one awning

However, there should be an amount of movement when your khyam is pitched to absorb the energy from the wind

true

No matter what awning you use, you should still take time to ensure it is erected properly. Make sure pegs are in properly - no half heartedness. Use the guy ropes and a tie down kit if it is going to be windy. Peg down all the little flaps at the bottom too, if a bit of wind gets in it will start to ease the awning out of its peggings.

_robin wrote:Just got back from a windy weekend on the east coast and I couldnt help but notice that my kyham driveaway seemed to be taking a real beating compared with the old style type awnings that you see on most caravans. Are those actually more rigid or do I need to reexamine my tent pitching skills?

Also, I have a groundsheet for my driveaway sleeper but I cant seem to figure out how its supposed to work with the tent. There are some holes that appear to match up with those on the tent and some that don't. It didnt come with any instructions nor can i find any on the kyham site. Is anyone out there in the know?

Cheers

Robin

I have a Khyam Motordome driveaway awning. I have not used it in high wind yet so I can't comment on the issue with the wind. But the comments about the importants of using all the tie-downs have been noted.

As to the groundsheet. I have the same questions about the varous holes as well. I still cant figure out which way round it goes. I have since bought the clip in tent that goes on the inside, but have not set this up yet. Perhaps the hole in the middle are so that you can can stake out the little internal tent.

Llamapup

Just stayed in Kent on weekend where it was pretty windy. When we took our Khyam awning down we saw that 2 poles had snapped. We've had the awning less than a year. Have tried to get new poles from Khyam, but they say that poles aren't in the guarantee and won't give us new ones.

Still arguing the case with them, they say they can't dictate the weather, I told them to take a look out of the window and they can see the weather, it's called British weather, and they are selling their awnings in Britain....

You think they might change it as a gesture of goodwill after less than a year. After arguing with them they said they will arrange to pick up the awning and test it, which will cost more than the poles. A case of cutting off their noses to spite their faces I think.

Won't be buying Khyam again.

you could quote the sale of goods act to them - fit for purpose etc.