Vango kalari 520 or kampa air ace 500 air awning?

Katym12
Katym12 Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited April 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hello, I'm looking at purchasing one of the awnings above for my bailey senator wyoming but I would just like to know if anyone here has one or which they thought was better. We have a 350 air awning at the minute but it just isn't big enough for us. Any
help would be great. 

Comments

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited April 2016 #2

    I have a Varkala 420. A very robust and stable awning. Easy to put up and it has a very good finish, better in my opinion than the similar sized Kampa.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,687 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #3

    We have a Kampa Air Pro 390.  Last week, I helped a friend erect his new Vango Varkala.  I was surprised that it was necessary to inflate the Vango through 3 different points and then blow up three individual roof beams and put those in place  The Kampa
    is totally inflated via one inflation point which, in my opinion, makes it a lot easier.

  • Batchy
    Batchy Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2016 #4

    We went for Kampa Rally Ace Air 400, after seeing the 500 will fit accross the windows on our new van. We think its amazing peice of kit to be honest.

  • gasseyflyer
    gasseyflyer Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited July 2016 #5

    Probably too late for your purchase, but a week into hols with the Kampa 500 I think I can comment fairly.

    We went to our local large supplier - no names mentioned - on the A38- to buy the Kampa but were given the hard sell +++ for the Vango despite both being allegedly in stock; namely benefits if punctured, equivalent speed to inflate despite all the extra
    tubes, reinforcing poles as standard etc. However I was concerned that it was very dark inside compared with the Kampa. An hour of soul searching, esp re; the better side doors of the Vango, and we asked for the Kampa, to be sheepishly told that they actually
    had none in stock afte all and were not getting any in.... you can make your own assumptions, but we left and ordered online.

    I am convinced that we made the right choice. The Kampa inflates by hand in 3 minutes. The Vango will take a lot longer to inflate and fit all the extra reinforcing poles. Plus the Vango really was grey and dark. It is a large and light awning. I am very
    impressed with it.

    I accept the downsides of the Kampa - there are more valves to fail, and the curtains are OK but not great, but this is a very well constructed product. Awning up in 15 minutes, it is quite feasible to pitch it for an overnight stop.

     

  • The Moules
    The Moules Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2016 #6

    I appeciate this won't help, but just wanted to share my opinions on Kampa awnings.

    It seems Kampa aren't very good at getting stock out to dealers.  We had a similar issue trying to get a Kampa Ace Air 400 backin May.  We tried our local dealer, who called the Kampa sales rep and they were told that they couldn't get any until August. 
    It seems crazy that they can't meet the demand for their products.  Anyway, our dealer advised us to try and find a dealer online who has stocks as previous experience with Kampa taught them that delivery dates mean nothing to them, thus they dont rely on
    stocking Kampa products alone as it inevitably leads to delays.  This reflects bad on the local dealer even though it's entirely beyong their control.

    I would recommend the Kampa air awnings for convenience, but you will have to shop around to find a store that has stocks.

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