Awning choice....
We have ordered a new Van and obviously as a result need to buy a new awning. We have always had a full canvas awning which is great but can be a pain to put up if only away for a few days, so we are looking at porch awnings. I would love some advice on
which are good ones which wont break the bank but also do a great job. Some ive heard dont sit snuggly against the van and dont create a good seal thus allowing water and wind to get in. Pole or Air?
Comments
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isabella magnum with carbonex poles. Simply the best porch awning I've seen or owned.
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Agree with Whittakerr, I am sorry 40 years ago I did not follow this advice as I would have thousands as we have changed our van so many times over the years we have had to alter or buy a new awning, I think the Isabella is a bit pricey but they are the
best and will last for years, so you wont have to buy a new awning when you change the vanAdmiral
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thanks for the replies so far. If i am being honest even if we kept this van we would probably have needed to change the current awning. its interesting about the difference in peoples opinions generally about porch awnings. Most say they have never had
an issue with rain or wind. I think we would probably end up buying both but its such a minefield on various awnings.0 -
Why buy both (full and porch)? You will soon end up using all your loading weight if you take both with you. My Kampa is effectively a full awning and is strorm (using the storm guys) and rain proof. We also have a Fiamma Caravanstore (just a sun canopy which takes a couple of minutes to pull out) and make the decision which to take dependent upon when and where we are going.
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Why buy both (full and porch)? You will soon end up using all your loading weight if you take both with you. My Kampa is effectively a full awning and is strorm (using the storm guys) and rain proof. We also have a Fiamma Caravanstore (just a sun canopy
which takes a couple of minutes to pull out) and make the decision which to take dependent upon when and where we are going.I’ve got both. An Isabella Magnum porch awning and an Isabella Commodore full awning. I never take both. The length of stay and the number of people coming with me determine which awning I take.
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Why buy both (full and porch)? You will soon end up using all your loading weight if you take both with you. My Kampa is effectively a full awning and is strorm (using the storm guys) and rain proof. We also have a Fiamma Caravanstore (just a sun canopy
which takes a couple of minutes to pull out) and make the decision which to take dependent upon when and where we are going.I’ve got both. An Isabella Magnum porch awning and an Isabella Commodore full awning. I never take both. The length of stay and the number of people coming with me determine which awning I take.
Write your comments here...+1
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We have a Kampa Air Pro 390 and as far as getting a good seal against the side of the van, I have never had a problem. The trick is to peg the bottom of the padded seal, slightly under the caravan which then pulls the whole of the padding tight against
the van. I bought a set of poles designed to hold the seal against the side of the van in really adverse weather but have never had to use them. In terms of frame versus air, whilst the air is definitely heavier to get onto the awning rail, its ease of inflating
and pegging out makes it a winner for me.0 -
I did not bother getting the poles to seal against caravan. Find that doing what richarandros do is fine and provides a good seal to caravan. The storm guys stabalise awning in high winds. Pegging out doesn't take too long in the non air awning and the
poles have adjustment for uneven ground which further helps the seal to caravan. But air v normal has been discussed before so really it's up to the individual.0 -
we had a Kampa Rally pro porch awning with poles and it was very easy to put up and did the job nicely. We are now looking for Kampa Air-Pro 390, nearly new, to replace our full length Isabella. Anyone out there got one to spare?
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I have a small (2m Kampa) and a large (3.8m Dorema) porch awnings, and generally use the small one in the winter as a place to dump wet gear, and the large one in the summer when you tend to live in the awning more.
Both have poles to give a good seal to the van side. The smaller one takes about 20 mins to put up, the larger one about 35mins.
Didn't go for a full awning on this van (twin axle) as it would have been as big as an aircraft hanger!
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Whilst looking and comparing awnings, another option is the roof in a bag type such as the Quest/Westfield Rollaway awning. These are very good, but if you go for a large one they are heavy to roll out and in. They do require two people to erect the roof initially, but are a quick way of getting shelter. We really like our Rollaway, but the 4.5m length makes it rather heavy.
As some of you may know, we have on order a Thule Omnistore awning (canopy) which winds out with a handle. We have ordered a Panorama room too - the sides to go in to make a fully enclosed awning. If any of you go down this line be prepared for the eye watering cost. We just hope it will be worth it.
David
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As an alternative, in addition to the Kampa Air Pro 390, we also have a Sunncamp 220. I bought it because it is the only 220 on the market (as far as I could work out) which just fits nicely over one window and the door on our Bailey Barcelona. It is very
light, easy to put up and although it has poles, none are touching the van (so no potential for damage) and cost the princely sum of £85. Ideal just to chuck wet jackets and muddy boots in, plus the doggy bits and pieces. We use it in winter because if it
gets wet, it's very easy to dry and at that price, if it lasts me only a couple of seasons, it won't owe me anything. We've had it out in some very strong winds and, so far, has proved to be very stable.0 -
Oh my, so many things to consider. Thanks for all the comments. We was going to look at an air option but someone pointed out that you cant adjust the height (legs) something which may cause an issue when pitched on differing ground heights. We are going
to look at the Dorema Futura skylite 390.0 -
Oh my, so many things to consider. Thanks for all the comments. We was going to look at an air option but someone pointed out that you cant adjust the height (legs) something which may cause an issue when pitched on differing ground heights. We are going
to look at the Dorema Futura skylite 390.Write your comments here...Loves your woofer.
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Wizardjax i started the discussion as we are exactly in the same boat as you new van etc. After a little research and speaking with people we are going to buy a Kampa Rally 390 for our first porch awning £289.00. We thought about an air awning but there
are no adjustable legs on these so when pitching on uneven ground its not always easy to get a good seal between the pads and the van. plus we have a massive dog and i would be worried if he did decide to ever nibble the tubes (not to say he would). there
are not many reviews on the massive array of porch awnings on the market so i think its trial and error. we were also looking at a dorema futura skylite, very similar to the kampa. but the Kampa does have adjustable front poles. We do have a large Kampa 6
berth tent and have never had an issue with leaks etc. I always look at reputation aswell. i have ordered the kampa from towsure we are going away Easter weekend so will post how we get on with it. hope that helps a little0 -
this is great, a wealth of advice from people with first hand experience, what a great bunch you all are. Still looking for the Kampa Air-pro but er-in-doors insists we sell the Isabella first. Oh and by the way Whittakerr, anyone who drinks Leffs is alright
by me!0 -
We have a ventura which is made by Isabella but without the price tag but still same quality... All I can say is that I'm a woman, 5' 4" in my socks and that me and my 12 year old can get it up, tensioned and pegged in under an hour... And I'm super fussy
about creases too
. If Hb is about it takes slightly longer as he insists he is right and faffes about, the 12 year old does as he is told 0
