Caravan newbie - which awning - Bailey Orion 400/2
Help..... Just returned after our first ever outing in our van. Must have had the worst weather of the year, waking up to snow..What we have learned is that we are rather short on space, (chose 2 berth as never towed before). Will definately require an awning.
Could any Bailey owners advise as to what we might be able to use. The sahpe of the van apparently is very 'curvy' giving very little 'lenght ' across the op.
thanks
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It depends what sort of awning you are looking for,a full awning sill not lose any of the lenght of the van, if you are talking about a porch awning you will be suprised how much room you will have even with the "short" roof length go to adealer with awnings and have a look
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If you are planning to keep the van long term then a full awni g would work. If not a good size porch awning might be better as it should fit any replacement caravan. The curves should not be a problem provided any full size awning is the correct size.
There are now two types conventional with poles and air awnings that inflate. Which you go for is a personal thing. Inflateable ones are new but most hicvups seem to be ironed out now. They are one heavier to manouvre into place in that the main section
is one piece whereas the framed ones have the poles separate but far quicker to erect and usually easier.I would buy the best one in your price range. As with most things the best costs more but I am open minded on actual makes. As most of us have not tried several makes our opinions tend to be biased towards the one or two we have tried.
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If there are only two of you, I would suggest a medium sized porch awning as it will more readily fit any future van and will readily accommodate two of you. I inherited a full awning with my present van but after only using it once, I decided to dispose
of it retaining my porch awning.0 -
I used a porch awning for many years. It provided useful dining space in the main. No longer need to use one with the present 'van layout. A full awning is a heavy beast IMO. We generally only stayed 5 nights on a site and then moved. We would not have used the awning generally if staying for only 3 nights or less.
When choosing a porch awning I measured display awnings and considered the effective qidth and length at shoulder height when sat rather than at the base level. Made a mock up at home alongside the caravan and placed table chairs steps coolbox, arc of swing of caravan door, caravan windw location etc. to decide on size.
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thanks everyone - just rec'd info from Bailey. My top length is 2430cm (then the van slopes) I'm guessing that a 2500cm is the only lenght suitable?? otherwise the top will be going down the sides. If you know what I mean. Am I right.?
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One thing to note when fitting a porch awning,which by your post you seem to be going for? is where the sidewall will come as you do not want it be coming down halway across the window as it will in use probably "scratch" the plastic,on a van the size of the Orion and the shape, a full awning will not be a lot bigger, in your hand book it should advise of the awning size req, or if not go onto the Isabela Awnings website and enter your make and model and it should give the size,
ps been on their website and an 825cm full awning is the size for your Orion 400/2
other makes available
also check out adds for second hand ones then if not you scene 
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FANTASTIC.......thank you sooo much. I just did not know where to start. I know what I'm getting for christmas!
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