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Hi Pete...

We've had three "Wind-out" canopies(2 Fiamma & 1 Omnistor) and even when staked/strapped down, unless a full "room" is fitted (which we didn't have) they are only really  suitable for use as a sunshade or for light,"wind -free" showers....

We always strapped ours down but still would never leave it unattended when "deployed". ( I've also read that quite a few reckon  that the full "rooms" are bulky and heavy to lug about and can be a bit of a b*ll ache to put up?)

If you are able fit a "wind-out", then would you not also be able to fit a decent one-piece awning rail? (eg *Attach the 'rail  to a length of rigid aluminium  box section, which then in turn is attached to the van as you would've attached the "wind-out"?).

I found that having  a sturdily attached  awning rail would lent itself to being more versatile.

(*I did something similar to the above on a previous van. only with that I mounted an additional awning rail to the underside of our Fiamma, via a length of angle, so that I could slide in our tarp canopy and use our simple/cheap/quick to erect  "caravan" porch).

We also had a Movelite "Square" drive-away awning at one stage but that got sold before it was used in anger...as we realised that we wouldn't actually have been  driving away from it anyway!

("stand alone" gazebos aren't always welcomed on some sites due to them being vulnerable to getting blown across site......)..

Hi again Pete..

This link shows the usual methods of attaching an awning/tarp

http://www.driveaway-awnings.co.uk/fixing-a-driveaway-awning/

We've faffed around with most of them at some stage or another , but after it all, for a dependable method of attaching an awning/tarp- one that isn't going to let go or rub the paint off or clatter on the roof of the van as soon as the wind gets up - we eventually found that a securely mounted awning-rail ended up being the best option for us.

Having said that, our rail(s) weren't actually fitted directly to the van wall (but to the Fiamma wind-out and, currently, on a section attached to our roof bars).

Not knowing how "sturdy" your Hi Top sides are, it may be worth releasing any inner lining, so that you could look at strengthen the inner face (using aluminium section or timber battens?).

Also use the likes of Sika'  to seal it, not silicon.

Edit to add: Forgot to second  idetika's  recommendation  for Quechua Base tent

Quote: Originally posted by Peter2ltr on 25/1/2016

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I do like the idea of them being stored on the side of the van basically just because it one less thing I have to find somewhere to store it in the camper!
Pete

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I can understand that...but being a bit belt'n'braces, I'd tend to echo rabbitboy's ( or Mrs rabbitboy? ) concerns over having the weight and any stresses, flexing etc that may occur when having it  permanently hanging and flapping from the van wall?...

Slightly left-field maybe but are there any roof/ladder rack bars available for your model of van?..because if there are, then a set of those would give you something to attach a rail to?

(They'd also lend themselves to mounting the likes of roof boxes, solar panels etc, which may crop further  down the line?....)