Thule- new awning option

mcrox

Member
I just got the new Thule Hideaway retractable hand crank awning on my 2015 crew, standard height. It's been sold in Europe (as the Omnistor 4900, I think) for quite awhile and just came to US this year. The folding tensioner arms keep it extended and tight and there's really no need to guy it unless in a severe storm. Two legs snap out of the housing and extend and there's two holes at the bottom to stake if you want. I crank it out a couple feet and I can just reach up from my slider step and unclip the two legs, swing them down and extend, and then finish cranking. Of course, the tall Sprinter would require a step ladder no matter what you had. A little less costly alternative to a Fiamma, anthracite case looks good on my van. Mounted to top ends of Yakima roof bars with adapters. They have a direct mount version, but will require Sprinter adapter which isn't available yet.
Awning was in stock locally at Cascade Racks, Bend, Or.
Comes in 8.5' x 6.5' and 10' x 8' versions (I got 10').

https://gearjunkie.com/thule-car-camping-awning

https://www.rackattack.com/other-products/roof-rack-accessories/thule-hideaway-awning-10-foot/
 
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singletrac

Member
I installed mine today. I was able to mount it to the factory rails with the bar adapters and rail hardware from the Sprinter store. To wind to open today, but it looks good.
 

Obliged

Member
I really like Thule, they make good racks.
That looks really nice on Graphite Metallic.
How hard is it to get the legs down on a high roof?

Edit: I would also like to add that Thule gives you an extra year of warranty. That’s not bad considering it’s Hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Fiamma awning 1 year warranty

Thule awning 2 year warranty
 
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Designer99

New member
singletrac, can you give a link or specific ordering info for the mounts you used? I can't seem to find them on the Sprinter Store's web site.:idunno:
 

220629

Well-known member
That is a nice looking setup.

Standing on the step with the slider open, not to bad at 5'8"
I assume that the down legs need to be staked down or weighted for even medium wind. When over cement is a couple pails of water enough weight? My vision would be lines tied to the upper structure running down to the pail handles. Bungee cord loops could hold the pails against the lower legs to stabilize them.

vic
 
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JFloFoto

Active member
If anyone figures out a way to mount one directly to the van I'd love to see how it's done. I've got a penthouse top so no option to use a rack or factory rails.
 

asimba2

ourkaravan.com
Based on the photo of the awning attached to a roof rack at only two places, I am guessing the case is much stronger than the Fiamma. I'd be interested in knowing the pros/cons of this vs the Fiamma. It appears to sit a little less flush to the roof than the Fiamma but otherwise looks good at first glance.
 

Monafly

2015 2500 short tall 6cyl
Singletrac

Looks nice. Is that the 10' version on a 144" van? Are those the flat roof mounting brackets?
 
I actually just picked up this awning today in Denver from Rack Attack, I also got the Thule Adapter kit as well, https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-rack/awning-accessories/thule-awning-adapter-for-roof-rack-_-490001r the brackets are pretty big and sturdy, however the sliders it came with are a bit narrow for the OEM MB rails.

So I have these on order http://www.eurocampers.com/S053-Double-Slider-516-Thread-34-Long-Bolt-3-b-b-for-roof-tracks-corssbars_p_1679.html same ones Hein uses on his roof rack feet kit and I had those on hand to test. I think these are the ones Singletrac used https://www.sprinterstore.com/product/single-roof-rack-mounts-for-sprinter-van/?attribute_pa_color=stainless-uncoated the Thule adapter kit has 3 holes on the bracket so I ordered 6 of these as well to see what works best.

I have a 144 high roof and got the 10 ft, which measures 118" long. It falls just between the seams of the van, front and back, and appears to clear the door also. I'll confirm once mounted and secured with pics to follow.

Seems like a cross between the Dometic and Fiamma awning design, just a bit cheaper, no shipping charges and an extra year of warranty. They've had this over in Europe for a while dubbed Omnistor, my box actually says this on it, lol!

Thule also makes a bottom mounting bracket so you can attach the legs to the van, like other awnings have http://aussietraveller.com.au/product-brands/thule/spare-parts/thule-bottom-mounting-bracket-black
 
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There is a "program bug" on Amazon if you try and order the Thule awning from them.

Thule HideAway Awning Thule HideAway Awning

Amazon Link: http://a.co/c0KzMDl

If you pick the 10'/Direct mount, it puts an 8.5' in your cart.
I brought this to the attention of Amazon, and hopefully they will resolve it shortly.

It is currently out of stock, but you can place and order and it will ship as soon as they have them again.
 
Thule also makes adapter kits to mount these awnings to specific vans, unfortunately Sprinter is not listed.

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-rack/awning-accessories/thule-adapter-for-direct-mount-_-308960



I have a contacted them requesting that they list one.

I have a older Carefree Colorado awning that I had on my VW Westfalia and it came with multiple mounting brackets, one set fit my T1N perfectly.
If I can locate the original instructions or box perhaps one of these existing Thule mounting kits would fit.
 

Monafly

2015 2500 short tall 6cyl
Anyone located the bottom mounting brackets from a US supplier that theotherwhitebread mentioned a couple of posts ago and showed a link (in Australia)? The Thule web site doesn't list them (that I could find).
 
Anyone located the bottom mounting brackets from a US supplier that theotherwhitebread mentioned a couple of posts ago and showed a link (in Australia)? The Thule web site doesn't list them (that I could find).
Only place I've seen them stateside is Jegs oddly enough, they have all the Thule Hideaway accessories but I'd have to imagine your local Thule dealer can just order them via the part number.

Jegs says not due to ship until 6/21 though https://www.jegs.com/i/Thule/496/1500602390/10002/-1
 
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hein

Van Guru
We have ordered the Thule awning and will develop brackets for Sprinter and Transit.

All the best,
Hein
 

asimba2

ourkaravan.com
We have ordered the Thule awning and will develop brackets for Sprinter and Transit.

All the best,
Hein
:thumbup: I think I have purchased every Sprinter-specific part you make,; so surely I will add this to my list as well.
 

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