Should I get an awning fitted
We have just purchased my first motorhome which we will pick up on the 20th of this month. We are considering getting an awning fitted, which the place we bought it from can do prior to picking it up.
My question is:
Is it worth it?
How often do people use awnings in this country (bearing in mind the British weather)? I've been told that it is usually not sunny enough or too windy.
If you could give me some help with this it would be much appreciated.
Comments
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I assume you mean a wind out Fiamma-type canopy, Bob. Our MH has one fitted as standard and in two seasons of use in this country we've used it on only a handful of occasions. It depends so much on the weather and last year was not a sitting outside summer
when we were away.Why not try the van as it is? You can always get the canopy fitted later if you decide to go for it.
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when we had m/vs the first was a "wizbang" and we did not bother ,on the next we decided to go for it,but instead of a wind out I fittted a "deluxe"awning rail and a caravanstore which was a far cheaper alternative and lighter,which for the amount of times
it was used suited us ,and could be removed quckly and stored0 -
I'd agree with Tinwheeler, try it first, either a dealer can fit one easily enough or have one fitted at one of the numerous shows. We have one as it comes as standard and find it's useful both for keeping off the sun and also keeping off the rain. Advise
buying a tie down kit as well for when it is windy, although ours is a 4m awning which can flap a bit and often will wind it in at night time.0 -
Having used a Caravanstore for years when we caravanned having a Fiamma wind out awning on our motorhome was a priority. In three years of ownership we have used it quite a bit even in the UK. Even more essential if you go abroad. They can, of course, be
retro fitted so you could wait and see. Far better to get it as part of the deal which you may be too late for?David
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We have a Fiamma roll out canopy on our motorhome and use it quite regulary in the Spring/Summer time. When we were in France last year we used it a lot to give us some shade from the sun which came in very useful. Also I have used it when it has been raining
to provide a bit of shelter if we are using the cadac.0 -
Took ours off 5 years ago for a particular trip....it's still in the garage!
Haven't missed it although we do only stay one to three nights and generally don't sit about!
If you stay on sites for longer periods I would certainly have one fitted.
Don't do the hot countries so the MH always has shade on one side or the other!!
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Caravan not motorhome, but we had a full all- in- one awning, and after a while I took scissors to it and threw the front panel away. A year or two later I cut out the side panels and dumped them, just leaving the roof. Then I dumped that and bought a simple canopy, but that's been in the shed for the last two years. We go to hot countries and park beside a tree and sit beneath it. Simplicity and minimalism rule for us, but it all depends on your lifestyle, doesn't it.
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Awnings are fairly heavy so it would pay to see how much payload you have spare.
We have a seven and half metre mhome @ 3.5 tons. The added weight of the awning would take us close to the max payload.
we use a drive away awning, it's fairly easy to put up, not as quick as wind out. BUT in windy weather we do no have to worry about it damaging the mhome
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We had a Fiamma wind out canopy on the caravan which we found indispensable in hot countries and now have a Thule on the motorhome. The only problem is that we cannot accommodate all the stuff that we used to put outside under the caravan awning!
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I have a Thule Omnistore fitted to my caravan and find even abroad its use as a rain canopy just as useful as it is for sun shade. It rather depends on how much time you intend spending outdoors, we almost always cook outside even if eating inside and for
that alone we think its worth it. A lot is said about vunerabillity to wind but we have yet to take it down for that reason.......and, as Deleted User User knows, we're having a Thule fitted to our new caravan we hope to get in May.
David
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