Sun Canopy
Thinking of buying a sun canopy for shelter and also storage of bikes plus other gear out of the rain. I have been looking at Isabella Eclipse and Shadow which can attach to Magum Porch OR directly to caravan. However seem a bit expensive. In the search
came across a WIGO Ultralight canopy. Seems cheap, but wondered how good it was and would value comments from owners and anyone else on the quality of these. Thanks
Comments
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Thanks Bassett, your'e so right. Do you use your canopy attached to an awning or the caravan? If attached to the 'van, does it give sufficient shade? The width of the shadow is 2m I understand vs 2.5m for Magnum Porch awning.
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We looked at the shadow and other less than full length sun shades, then bought a Dorema Monaco full length sun canopy.
Couldn't see the point in a 'short' sun shade as folks we saw using them were moving chairs and stuff to keep in the shade, With the full length there is more shade created.
We are very pleased with the Dorema. very light, folds to virtually nothing. Ebay is your friend.
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Thanks KeefySher, my main concern is the degree of shade achieved. I too have seen people moving chairs about, right up to the side of the caravan, sat all in a row then moving inside! The WIGO ultralight does offer more shade but it does look a bit cheap.
Will have a look at the Dorema....0 -
We've seen the Wigo in use, and unfortunately it only gives complete shade when the sun is at the front, and high up. Depending on how you pitch, the sun comes in at the side, and only a small area of the 'shade' gives you any real shade. Friends who had
one gave it up after just a few weeks use and bought a Dorema Panorama.If you want cheap and cheerful the Dorema 'Nice' single sheet sun canopy of the right length can be pulled over to give maximum shade by either going down to the ground at the front or the back of the van. However, whilst it's fine in calm conditions it
isn't so good in windy conditions and you'll need to add extra guys and some way of stopping it moving along the awning rail in windy conditions. I'm not sure that the Dorema Monaco would be any better, and would give less shade.The Dorema Panorama or Dorema Vario are amongst the best we've seen in use, and everyone we've asked about them, has recommended them. We just use a cheap and cheerful awning, bought second hand for £25, without the side panels in place!
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Our Dorema Monaco has clips for 'guy' lines to connect to either the grab handles front and back of the caravan or into the ground to stop it moving, although in use thus far not been required. It's a sun shade not a wind or rain shade and we fully expect
to take it down if required, hence it being light and easy to take down.Commented on another thread that for next year will change the guy lines to more substantial ones we have from a drive away awning we had with the previous MH.
Bought ours on ebay at a third of new price, never used before. The seller had even turned some 'feet' for the bottom of the poles.
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Thanks for your comments ValDa and KeefySher, very useful. Looks as though the WIGO is a NOGO!!
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We would not be without our Isabella Shadow for anything. Yes it is expensive but it works. The poles weigh nothing and I can put it up on my own in minutes. We once had to take it down in a severe storm but that only takes a moment. We bought three
extra Isabella Typhoon guys as we don't think the three provided are sufficient.In fact we have now sold our porch awning as we found it was such a bore to lug all that weight around and then the pegging is hard work on arthritic knees as mine are. Now we just use the Shadow but we are fair weather campers and do not go away in the
winter.I might consider an air awning but not until someone makes one which fits the whole of the awning rail as in a conventional awning. We found with our porch that it was impossible to anchor the uprights to the side of the van and then, in strong wind, the
noise was awful.0 -
We have a Thule roll out canopy and, frankly, find it to be a waste of time and money.
It provides virtually no shade, because the sun just shines underneath it. As you say, it's sometimes possible to get out of the sun if pressed up against the caravan, but rarely so.
It cannot be left out if there is the slightest breeze, because it will blow over the caravan in a light wind and will damage both caravan and canopy, unless really well strapped down. I would never leave it unattended.
Putting it out and putting it away is a two person job and one of you needs to be very tall while the other just about manages with the caravan step.
All in all.......I wouldn't bother.
We took it with us once this year and even then it never came out of its bag.
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We have a Fiamma canopy, yes it is a M/H but caravans can have them fitted. I'm not surprised by the comments about the sun coming under the canopy, we also suffer from this but usually only very late in the day when the sun is low or at the back end of
the year. We have a piece of cloth that slides along the front edge and hangs down, it doesn't need to be long just a couple of feet but it really makes a differance, I would look at making /buying something like that. We also have the same that fit at the
sides, again if you are side on to the sun this gives you lots more shade.0 -
I have the Magnum and the eclipse canopy. Very good quality and easy to erect. A canopy will only put you in the shade when the sun is in the right position - Valda touched on this. Sometimes you have to sit at one side, sometimes the other but generally
it gives good protection.0 -
Thanks to all for your contributions and comments . Very useful. I'm looking at the "Monaco" or the Isabella Sunshine canopy - second hand item.
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Just throw my tuppence worth in the mix; I have a Fiamma Store awning on my 'van. The manual type, and very good it is. Adjusts for height of pole, so copes with differing sun. I made my own front panel that slides into roll rail, from eb*y garden shade
material in white. Got awning piping on internet too. Fantanstic for extra privacy and shading. It would be easy to make a shade that attaches direct to 'van rail to, and copy pole/guy line config of others. A sewing machine is obviously essential!0 -
We have the 3.6M Isabella Shadow and think it's excellent. We use it for touring in the UK and on the continent. It works well as a rain canopy too as it is sturdy enough especially if it is set with the maximum fall possible. When used in good sun we use
the net which fixes easily along the 3.6M length at a slight slope and find this to be perfect for sun protection as well as privacy. It really is a doddle to put up and take down.0 -
Hi Glutenfree we have the Isabella Eclipse which we use on the Magnum Coal porch and also by its own, it makes a good sun shade just lower the side that the sun is coming from. When i get chance we may even go up to a full sized one,the cost is the downside but you get what you pay for.
Steve
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We are longtime users of Isabella Shadows, one for each side of the van when it suits us. The low sun angle issue is readily addressed by purchasing the matching "Net" accessory, an aluminimised front net for shading and reflecting off heat, and not obscuring the view.
Undoubtely Isabella's products don't come cheap, quality like it rarely does but some of our Isabella kit in regular use is over 20 years old, so has overtime been excellent value for money. Our Shadows probably 12 years old, but the "Net" was a more recent addition to their line, we readily obtained about 5 years ago.
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l don't see the point all we do is erect the Isabella Magnum and put the sides or front in, hardly takes any time and serves the same purpose, if the weather deteriorates just sling the sides and front up. If l was to go down the canopy rout think l would go for the Thule or Fiamma role out bag canopy
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A couple of years ago got a Isabella Sun Shine on the club classifieds and it is excellent. We had previously used a roll out canopy, that never seemed to be long enough to give the shade where we needed it, and also a very cheap canopy that quickly looked like a rag.
We have not used this one without the front, hope to do so this year,but as it is almost all clear it is known to our vanning friends as the conservatory!
Like many have said you get what you pay for but we feel it worth it as cheaper options have not worked for us.
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We love our wigo ultralight, so much we now use it all year round and have ditched our std awning. It does have to be taken down in heavy wind and rain but this would be the same for all canopys i bet.
We looked at the Shadow and it was just a sheet type and looked over priced so went for this as it looks great, the Ultralight has a front too so more contact with the ground and it packs down into a small bag. 3 years use now and wouldnt be without it.
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We love our wigo ultralight, so much we now use it all year round and have ditched our std awning. It does have to be taken down in heavy wind and rain but this would be the same for all canopys i bet.
We looked at the Shadow and it was just a sheet type and looked over priced so went for this as it looks great, the Ultralight has a front too so more contact with the ground and it packs down into a small bag. 3 years use now and wouldnt be without it.
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We love our wigo ultralight, so much we now use it all year round and have ditched our std awning. It does have to be taken down in heavy wind and rain but this would be the same for all canopys i bet.
We looked at the Shadow and it was just a sheet type and looked over priced so went for this as it looks great, the Ultralight has a front too so more contact with the ground and it packs down into a small bag. 3 years use now and wouldnt be without it.
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