Inflatable awnings
Hello , Our thoughts are turning to next season and we are considering buying an inflatable awning. Any comments or observations - do they stand up well in rough weather for example?
Comments
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Two years ago we changed our awning to a kampa 390 air awning. Best thing we have done. The awning is very easy and quick to erect. Has stood up fine in bad weather, although we always use the storm straps. Others have complained of pooling on the roof in
rain, we only experienced this the first time it rained, we pulled the storm straps a little tighter, in turn stretching the roof a little more and we have never experienced this since, even in very heavy rain. My advice - go for it, it makes it all so much
easier.0 -
Google is your friend. Search for your topic and you will find many threads on this and other forums commenting on air awnings.
I have a Vango Varkala and have nothing but praise. So much easier to manage than a framed awning and yet just as robust.
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The big advantage for me is that, with air awnings, the risk of damaging the van in very windy weather is minimal.
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We have a Kampa Fiesta 330 & it's great. It survived the storm a few weeks ago on the south coast without any damage and it's very easy to put up. I do think that you get what you pay for though, I've seen cheaper
ones that the height clearance at the front make the area useless & multi inflation points would be a bit of a nightmare. We spent nearly as long looking for the awning as we did for the van & when you're looking have all the measurements of the van with you
ie outside lockers, rail length, windows & toilet box. The main thing is see them up, don't rely on pictures. Hope this helps.0 -
Two years ago we changed our awning to a kampa 390 air awning. Best thing we have done. The awning is very easy and quick to erect. Has stood up fine in bad weather, although we always use the storm straps. Others have complained of pooling on the roof in
rain, we only experienced this the first time it rained, we pulled the storm straps a little tighter, in turn stretching the roof a little more and we have never experienced this since, even in very heavy rain. My advice - go for it, it makes it all so much
easier.Pooling will occur if the poles that run accross the middle are not pulled down. If they are slightly higher then the roof lining then pooling will happen. We have a Kampa Pro Air 390 and have used it lots of times this year. Easy to put up and take down
would recommend it.0 -
We have just bought a Bradcot Aspire Air. Porch awning. A little dearer than the Kampa.(£100) but having gone to the Showroom at Michael Jordan Caravans in Surrey and seeing them set up our personal choice was the Bradcot. (lot's of reviews and info about it on here if you seach it)
It has 3 inflation points but you use one to infalte, then open them all to make packing it away easier.
The Bradcot also comes with an electric pump as well as the manual one, and has free accidental damage insurance for the first year, and IIRC is guaranteed for 3 years including fading.
I can't comment on the Kampa ones but the Bracot comes with everything as standard including the rear poles to form a better seal against the side of the van, Storm straps, curtains, pegs,draught skirt and wheel cover. Etc Etc.
Hope that helps, I would also suggest you go and see some set up first.
Ian.
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I can't comment on the Kampa ones but the Bracot comes with everything as standard including the rear poles to form a better seal against the side of the van, Storm straps, curtains, pegs,draught skirt and wheel cover. Etc Etc.
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I can ... the Kampa does NOT, though the retailer we bought our 420 from included the rear poles (never used them yet at the hard standings have been too blasted hard to drive another peg in), we've subsequently bought storm straps as we could have done
with them at Southport a few months ago when it was blowing a hooley. No wheel cover either. After spending £850 I'd have liked to think that Kampa could/would have included them.0 -
We have just bought a Bradcot Aspire Air. Porch awning. A little dearer than the Kampa.(£100) but having gone to the Showroom at Michael Jordan Caravans in Surrey and seeing them set up our personal choice was the Bradcot. (lot's of reviews and info about
it on here if you seach it)It has 3 inflation points but you use one to infalte, then open them all to make packing it away easier.
The Bradcot also comes with an electric pump as well as the manual one, and has free accidental damage insurance for the first year, and IIRC is guaranteed for 3 years including fading.
I can't comment on the Kampa ones but the Bracot comes with everything as standard including the rear poles to form a better seal against the side of the van, Storm straps, curtains, pegs,draught skirt and wheel cover. Etc Etc.
Hope that helps, I would also suggest you go and see some set up first.
Ian.
Very sage advice.
We have the Aspire Air 390 too, excellent bit of kit. Lots of posts on here about them.
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To be honest we went out with it in our minds to buy the Kampa product. The salesman was very knowledgable and honest about both products (good and bad points) We decided on the Bradcot as it was a better deal for what came with it and, for us it was nicer
looking..0 -
Take a look in the classified adds on this forum there is a Kampa 330pro for sale with very little use £400.
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We have an Outdoor Revolution DuoXL air frame awning (2016 model; XL is for taller outfits >2.4m) which is brilliant! It's quite heavy compared to some others but it does the business and is easy to erect, although make sure you do your homework and get
one that fits the height of your outfit properly, otherwise the tunnel roof can sag and pond in the rain. Also check what type of drive away connector you need and how it will attach to the van/moho. You do need to do your homework on these two points. Also
think about what type of groundsheet you want - sewn in or loose.It kept us dry and cozy in some torrential rain in Tuscany this summer!0 -
I agree with all the comments posted regarding the Bradcot air aspire, we purchased one early this year to replace our 15 year old Bradcot porch awning and have used it for 16 weeks in all kinds of weather without a problem, you only have to see one and you will see the difference in the quality, as the saying goes you only get what you pay for and after 15 years use out of or previous Bradcot there was no other make for me to consider
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I will be picking up a 2017 Sterling Eccles in March and like the looks of the Kampa 390 awning.
If you could , is there a chance you could you post a pic of your awning side on and from the rear (3/4) so I can gauge how it sits on your van.
The reason I ask is that my new van is about the same length as yours, I don't want something that would obscure the front lounge window (which I think the Air ace 400 might do?)
(don't worry if you don't have any pics)
Thanks
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