Awning advice

Hi, As you will discover we have a habit of using different terms for the same thing which can cause confusion telling someone that you need a size 15 may be met with blank looks. You need to know the A measurement-the distance around the awning channel from ground to ground- and then your search will be far easier.

In regard to types then budget may affect things but go for the best you can afford and I would start by looking at the clubs classifieds and ebay etc.

We currently have two awnings, both Isabella,and that's how sourced them. We have considered an Air awning, and may get one in the future, but are happy with our Magnum for short stays and use our Sun Shine on our longer stays, where the flexibility is great, but it is not really an all year round UK awning.

Many years ago, when we had an awning, it had fibreglass / carbon poles, which were far lighter than steel or aluminium and did the job just fine - it stood up to some very strong winds.

We no longer have an awning and count our blessings every time we arrive or leave that we no longer have to wrestle with the thing.

I would strongly recommend that you consider whether you really need a full length awning as, depending on the size of your caravan, it can be quite a handful. One that covers only part of your caravan side may be adequate - it depends what you want to do in it. From what I see on sites, these shorter ones seem to be very popular these days. Also, they don't have to be a perfect fit for the caravan (just chose the size you want) and can be transferred from one caravan to another.

i second that point, ET.....its almost as though caravanners feel they 'have' to have an awning.....or perhaps they arent a real caravanner?

yes, if you have a gaggle of kids (or dogs, or both) to occupy when its raining, perhaps an awning might do the trick, but for most couples, isnt a van big enough to sit in when its dark or raining, and if its nice out, sit outside?

each to their own, but worth challenging the reason every time, imho

I agree with the above.......I'm sure that a lot of people have awnings because they've always had awnings. Perhaps a hangover from the days of cramped 12 foot caravans.

Our caravan is plenty big enough for us, although I can see the advantage of a small awning for people with dogs.

Still each to their own.......and it provides good entertainment watching people still fighting with the awning (and each other) while we sit having lunch and a glass of wine.

We have 6.5m 2 berth van and use our awning on most outings it's a large porch awning with ally poles,I can get up and complete within 30min and the same to take it down and packed away, our last awning was an Isabella with fibre poles and was even easier and quicker to put up, would give any metal pole awning a miss due to the weight, you can buy good second hand ones on eBay or other classified adds, as for air awnings not tried one yet but did see 2 disappear from their vans at beachy head last year while my Bratdcot stayed in one piece ( just ) do your research your better off buying a good quality used rather than a cheap new.

We have an air awning. Couldn't be simpler to out up. We can arrive on site and be pitched with awning pegged in 45 mins tops. 

No falling out while putting it up. I just go as I am told by my partner.  

Best thing we ever bought for van. All part of the experience for us. 

Seeing as the OP has decided that they want an awning, researched size and set a budget I'll try to help as they've asked. 

eBay, preloved and gumtree are all full of good second hand awnings. Look for a named brand and one with a picture of the label showing the size if you can. Manufacturers seem to have a 20cm range of A measurements in each size - you want to be in the middle of that range ideally. I bought an immaculate Ventura with fibreglass poles on eBay for £150 last year. 

Check with local dealers to see if they have any second hand awnings. Both our local dealers have quite a few. They'll help with sizes too. 

We have a largish air porch awning. It's ok for most purposes but when we travel as a family we need the full awning as sleeping space. We can put the full awning up as quickly as the air awning and much prefer it 

As someone who uses an awning 'over here and in Europe' and has two caravans - one in this country and one we store in France, we have been through almost all the gamut of types from a simple 'sheet' sunshade, through porch awnings, and full awnings of various types.  We have had a Ventura porch awning, and briefly an air porch awning that we won in a competition and both of which we sold.   Here are my some of my thoughts about some of the things to look out for:

Manufacturer – There are many different manufacturers and some make a budget range in another name.  Some showrooms have a range from different manufacturers – so it’s worth a trip to have a look at the various makes and models before deciding which you prefer.  Isabella are said to be the best but new they are very expensive and beyond our very small budget, but we've also had two from Trio (one brand new, one second hand, but no longer available), Dorema (second hand), and now a Bradcot (second hand). On our particular caravan there is absolutely no doubt that the Bradcot is the best fit and I think that's because they have a different sizing method to most manufacturers with more sizes in their range.

New or second-hand - Don’t dismiss second-hand awnings. Having looked at new ones, then have a look to see what is available second-hand.  Like JayEss we have just bought a second hand awning, though we have had new ones in the past. Our current awning is a Bradcot in absolutely immaculate condition, with Easy Erect lightweight poles, and we paid just £50 for it from an advert on here last year.  It came complete with breathable carpet too. In the past we bought a second hand Trio awning in excellent condition for just £25. Look on this and other caravanning forums, in the 'Classifieds' section and you'll find real caravanners who are selling up or have mover to a larger caravan. Be prepared to travel to find what you're looking for.

Type - We've decided that these days we prefer the traditional type of awning, with four panels which can be removed.  This allows us to use the awning in cold weather with all the panels in, and in hot weather with all the panels out or keep one side panel in if you want more privacy.  In Europe, if it's very hot and the forecast is good, then we simply don't put the awning up - we just live outdoors.  We have tried just a single sheet sunshade which we though too unstable in wind, and a porch which was just as much hassle as a full awning and didn’t give you enough space to make that hassle worthwhile.  The air awning didn't seem at all robust and we took it down without ever using it and sold it immediately.

Poles – We’ve had two types of steel poles, and two lightweight pole types.  The Bradcot Easy Erect lightweight pole system is a doddle to put up - comes complete with an easy to follow diagram and full instructions - and the zips are easy to operate (not always the case).  The Trio and Dorema steel poles are, we thought, a bit of a nightmare and a jigsaw puzzle even when marked and even with 'familiarity'.  The Bradcot awning poles stay tensioned, and therefore so does the canvas, even in bad weather and strong winds and there is no pooling of water on the roof which was a problem with the Dorema though not the Trio.  Our Ventura lightweight poles weren't really up to the job of dealing with vicious northern winds (not forecast and whilst we were out) and one broke and had to be replaced.  Our Dorema steel poles also suffered damage after a severe storm when we weren't able to take the awning down in time and again we had to source a replacement and then fit extra roof support poles which we bought second hand! The Trio poles were very heavy duty, but also very heavy.  

Brackets for fixing to the caravan:  I would say take opinion about the various pole brackets - there is no doubt that some are easier than others, and that some can move and therefore mark your caravan.  Both our Trio and Dorema brackets have made marks over the years but so far the Bradcot brackets seem more stable because the poles stay tensioned better.

‘Fabric’ -  The Dorema fabric (which we still have on our 'over here' caravan) is very different and has  more 'sheet plastic' feel where the Trio original was canvas, the replacement polyester and the Bradcot is polyester but looks like fabric.  Personally I really don’t like the ‘feel’ of the Dorema but it stands up to the weather over here but it would seem likely that in Europe the Dorema fabric would trap the heat as it isn't breathable!  

As Boff says, your choice will also depend what you're going to use it for but it does sound as if you've looks at pros and cons of all types. 

However, I have to say that our Bradcot is very very easy to put up and we can do it in less than Boff's 20 minutes!   Ours is a 975 so nearly as large as the one Boff says you will need - though I couldn't find your caravan on the Bradcot 'Find your awning size' part of their website.   You do get extra reinforcing floor to ceiling and cross-roof poles with their larger awnngs.  There's no piecing together - the connections are already there, and you just extend the poles which are really well made!  Here's how it's done - Bradcot Easy Erect system. 

I have seen a bradcott alloy frame destroyed in a moderate wind on a larger awning just saying.

Regarding putting the awning up.  I don't think I have ever put it up in much less of an hour. This time it took about 90 minutes partly because there was some head scratching because it had been so long since we last put it up.  They are not called divorce in a bag for nothing!

What hasn't been mentioned is taking it down again.  Just imagine this situation.  You arrive on site it's pouring down and blowing a gale.  Do you put your awning up in those conditions?  Of course you don't you wait for the weather to improve.  But same weather conditions when leaving you have no option you have to battle with it and then get it dry when you get home.