Which awning?

Have a look at Camptech awnings they are very similar to dorema but cheaper.

We use a vango valkyre and use it most of the year.  Since May last year there is probably only 6 weeks max we haven't been in our caravan.

We've never put the awning away damp, always made sure it was dry when taking it downand packing away.  we have found it a great useful additioneven if only for storage to make more room in the caravan  when away this past month, has also helped with keeping the caravan warmer.

Sadly however we have had some issues.. In Sept last year we were in Looe with the caravan facing so the Awning was on the side opentk avalley.. great we though as it meant the sun was in the awning all day long.  Unfortunately while there there was a storm causing galeforcd winds to come up the vale against front of the awnkng.. flattening it against the van.  I got Ken  up and we took down the awning putting it in the car, (thankfully it wasn't wet as rain held off until just after we had took the awning down, thankfully with it being an air awning it didnt take to long to take down)  Yes we did have the storm ties on as had been warned that a wind was forecast by locals down in the town.

However, we noticed two days later once the storm had passed and was puttingthe awning back up that the onky two poles with the awning (that go down edge of awning and caravan to keep the side agnst the caravan) had been pushed through the seam at the top of their pocket, and thus through seam of the awning on both sides. (not ripping the actual awning but going into the seam and breaking the thread holding the pocket for the pole to the awning and then the actual join above it.

(We have been in gale force winds before and survived where traditonal awnings and tents didnt inthe Lake district, we were just unlucky this time with the posotion of the awning and the direct line of the winds.  Apparently it was known for the winds to be channelled up the vale there but noone had thought to tell us prioir to the storm)

The awning was still under a year old so when we got back home we went back to the shop we bought it wih photos to show, unfortunately due to extensive flooding the previous winter, the reciept along with a lot of other paperwork and belongs had got damaged and destroyed. The store manager and staff remembered us buying it, however as we had paid cash without the recipt they couldnt do anything saying vango would not repair it without proof of purchase.

They gave us the contact details of a lady nearby who repairs awnings for a price.

We have since noticed that the waterproofing/ finishing that goes over the seam of the beading that goes in the caravan awnning track is cracking and the seam has giving way where it goes over each of the four down 'pipes'.  There has also been a rip occurred in the centre of the  'over hang' at the side top.

While vango will repair for a cost (working out the costs for each repair and collection and delivery fees etc from their website it is going to cost a few hundred to repair), this lady will also charge more for repair due to the extra care she needs to take to make sure that she doesnt sew the air pipes (we have stated these can be removed prioir to the repair but it doesnt make a difference).

So we have bought tent/ awning patch kits and seam adhesive and will try that.  For an awning that cosg us around (£800 new) to have had so much happen (the rip  in the over hand could be seen as wear and tear,and we only have our word against their that we didnt put it away damp, and that we followed the insturction for putting it up and down etc to a 'T'.  (we had recieved advice on how to put it upand take down by numerous xompanies while we were looking around prioir to buying, all were saying practically the same word for word).

However, the cracking of the sealing over the seam, where it seems to be just pulling apart along through 'grain' and the actual thread on the seam breaking (the pole did the two edge area granted but there is nothing to cause it to snap and break above the other two air tubes).  There is no cause for it the thread doing extactly the same over the two other air poles. We feel thats just poor qualiy, we have heard if simiar things haloening to others.

So we wont be recommending this make to anyone, and will be sending a complaint to vango with photo's.  The air awnings are practical and a good way for the disabled, elderly or anyone putting it up on their own due tk the ease and speed it can be out up and down.  However the actual make of this particular one certainly is not of a high standard expected for the price we paid.

I used a 4 metre porch awning which has been great to date, but next year I have splashed out on a season pitch (April to Nov) and have bought a Dorema "guarda XL", obviously not been used yet but had it out in the lounge at home and it seems a very well made product, I would have liked the Isabella type clip down fixons I have the wing nut screw type,but yep very well made awning..