Sun canopy and awning

GVJones
GVJones Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited June 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

After swealtering in Wales last week I'm getting a bit concerned about how hot we'll get in our tin box in France.

I'm tempted by the idea of putting the kampa 390 up on one side of the van and the sun canopy on the other side, in part to take the glare of the sun off the side of the van and to give us somewhere out of the sun to sit.  Still need the "proper" awning to hide away the bikes etc.

The pitches we have booked are huge so space shouldnt be a problem and will clear it with the sites.

 

It might look a bit daft, what do think...more faffy than its worth?

Thanks

Comments

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #2

    We don't normally bother with the Kampa just taking a sun canopy. Just buy good bike locks and a decent cover, we've been operating this way for years. We've found using a "full" awning that it retains the heat and would much rather leave the sides out when we used to take one.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #3

    When we go to France we just take our Fiama Roll Out Sun Awning.  We too have a Kampa 390 but do not take it with us when we go continental.  Most people seem to just chain their bikes to the car/caravan/tree.  Appreciate there is a risk chairs/table may be stolen hasn't happened too us caravanners are a pretty honest bunch and keep an eye on each others property.  Although site may look huge you would be about 8 - 10 mtrs wide plus a car and we have never seen a tourer with protection out both sides.  Just take a sun awning, you will be fine.

  • GVJones
    GVJones Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2018 #4

    Thanks everyone, I am very tempted to leave the kampa behind, but with 2 little kids and the junk we cart around with us having an awning to hide stuff in stops the pitch from looking like steptoe's Yard!

    Just managed to get a Isabelle front window canopy/sun shade, probably a waste of money but Im a little worried about baking in our tin box.

    Will take a look at parasol and fans and wring my hands over the awning vs canopy dilemma some more.

     

    Thanks

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #5

    It may be so hot that all you will need is shade................!  We have camped/caravanned in France for thirty-eight years, and rarely had to put up a full awning.  We've used the awning as a canopy, bought a specialist canopy, and done without altogether.  I can't imagine a scenario where it makes sense to have front and back covered.   You can pitch with the back of the caravan facing north so it will never have the glare of the sun, and have the canopy of your awning providing shade on the southern side (which is what we usually do).  You are not restricted as to how you 'occupy' a pitch (no C&MC pitch to the peg rules) so site your caravan to take advantage of available shade. 

  • wendil
    wendil Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited June 2018 #6

    We usually just put the 3/4 awning up minus front. It makes the pitch look a bit tidier plus giving a bit of privacy and shelter. If its very hot you don't want to be potching around with pegs and tension lines. Keep it simple. 

  • montesa
    montesa Forum Participant Posts: 168
    edited June 2018 #7

    An awning set up in hot weather side point for others ....

    Reverse of the normal practice in colder climates !

    When in hot weather it's best to leave off the skirt section from the Caravan to assist with some through breeze if available.

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