A couple of questions for a new caravanner

GT70
GT70 Forum Participant Posts: 13
edited April 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

hi everyone, hope someone can make a suggestion or 2.

ive just bought a 2011 Verona. I'm looking for an awning.  Only for 2, sometimes 3 of us. Predominantly weekend use. We'd like to store things and eat in there. I'd like one that slopes down the side of the van so that it will fit between the window and
door and then fit the electric outdoor socket inside. About 4 metres long to clear the Windows & boxes. Thought maybe the Kampala fiesta 420.

Gas - should I buy 2 calories - maybe a 13 & 3.9 propane. I've no.Bottles so I'd have deposits to pay. Or should I just buy a 10kg safefill which look really good to me.

 

any advice really appeciatedM

Comments

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #2

    Am I right in thinking that a Kampa Fiesta 420 is an air awning?  Years ago we had a Kampa Fiesta 350 - traditional pole awning, which we really liked.  Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with an air awning, although one or two have said they are
    heavy to pull across the awning channel.  Hopefully someone with knowledge of this awning will be along soon.

    Personally, I would get one gas bottle first and see how you get on with it.  We keep two calorlite bottles - one for the caravan and the other for our freestanding Cadac.  These last us ages, but of course it depends how much you use them.  We always use
    electric hook up for the heating and fridge (and microwave).

    I don't think I've helped very much here, but it might give you a little to think about.

    David 

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #3

    Can't talk about the awning.  But gas bottles two questions you need to ask is what sort of caravanning do you intend to do?  If it is always on Ehu you will probably use very little.  If you intend to be off ehu then you will use far more gas.  I will tell
    you I can use 6kg of gas in 2-3 nights.  Others will say a6kg calorlite lasts them 80 nights, neither of us will be lying.  Difference is I will be off ehu.  So safefil makes perfect sense for me But not for someone on permanent ehu.  The second question is
    what will fit in your gas locker both physically and keeping a sensible nose weight.  

    One question lots of answers. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #4

    We have a Kampa Fiesta 350 pro.  This model is very robust but is very heavy to thread onto the awning rail so I imagine a a 420 would be even heavier, something to bear in mind.

  • GT70
    GT70 Forum Participant Posts: 13
    edited April 2016 #5

    Thanks folks - I think we'd probably like to be without EHU more often than not.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #6

    Then safefill makes a lot of sense as long as you have somewhere to refill it. 

  • DreamMachine
    DreamMachine Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited May 2016 #7

    I would look on websites like 'gumtree' and 'preloved' as you can often pick up calor bottles for a fraction of what calor themselves charge - then you only need to pay for the gas.

    2 orange propane bottles would be best as you will use more gas if you don't have mains electric on site

  • IanBHawkes
    IanBHawkes Forum Participant Posts: 212
    100 Comments
    edited May 2016 #8

    When you said a 13kg bottle, that I am sure will not fit in the locker. You would better off if starting out buying a Safefill or 2 6kg Calor propane bottles.

  • 1Tracey1
    1Tracey1 Forum Participant Posts: 240
    edited May 2016 #9

    I tend to go EHU during the winter (we like to watch TV if it's raining.  We can do this all day in the summer with solar but more restricted in winter) and off grid in the summer.  We knew know no better when we started out 18 months ago and got calor but when we learnt about Safefill on this forum we went out and got it and don't regret it.  The bottles are quite chunky so just double check the diameter of the one you choose will fit in your gas locker if you choos Safefill.  We had to go for the middle size rather than the larger.  Fill it up costs between £7-£8....very happy.

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