The weather was stormy at times during my last trip, and I found I was stuck inside the van as I was not able to wind out the Fiamma awning as I did not feel safe enough to do so even with a tie down kit.
I thought about adding panels to the wind out awning and they look a faff to put up, and the safety concerns about using the awning during high winds remain.
Hence I bought a small canopy type awning which is not a drive-away as I do not like moving the van once I am on a site, in readiness for my next trip in October 2025.
I considered getting a drive-away awning and decided against it as I could not find one within my budget that has steel poles and not fibreglass or air poles. Besides, the drive-away option is likely to be surplus to requirement.
Here is what I have purchased:
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
You are supposed to lower one of the legs to let the water run off.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
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Quote: Originally posted by Poppy9560 on 08/9/2025
what is this model please - it looks as if it would suit me, I have a a wind out canopy but it's no good in the rain as the rain stays on top.
It is this one in the 'Tall' version as I have a VW Crafter; however, there is a 'Low' version for the likes of VW T5/T6 etc...
Link is where I bought it and it was the cheapest I could find with free shipping.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Looks smart! Looks light & airy too. It’ll be interesting to hear what it’s like sitting out when it’s windy, only because it doesn’t have a skirt so it might be draughty? (From experience, as you’ll know too, it can be draughty because of wind coming under the vehicle, as MHs generally don’t have the strip that you thread a skirt into, that caravans have. We sometimes rig up a tarp there, Heath Robinson style.)
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 08/9/2025
Looks smart! Looks light & airy too. It’ll be interesting to hear what it’s like sitting out when it’s windy, only because it doesn’t have a skirt so it might be draughty? (From experience, as you’ll know too, it can be draughty because of wind coming under the vehicle, as MHs generally don’t have the strip that you thread a skirt into, that caravans have. We sometimes rig up a tarp there, Heath Robinson style.)
I have already bought a Kampa draught skirt that sticks to the van via magnets, however, I had only used it once when the dog was younger and would disappear under the van to try and get to the other side to say hi to other dogs.
I have an 8-night trip coming up in October 2025 and it would be a good test out its functionality.
Something to shield the wind and easy to put up should be better than what I have currently - a wind out awning which is no good in windy conditions, a 3-sided windbreak and a draught skirt which are a faff to put up.
I shall come back to this thread after I have tried it out.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 08/9/2025
You are supposed to lower one of the legs to let the water run off.
Indeed and that works.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 08/9/2025
(From experience, as you’ll know too, it can be draughty because of wind coming under the vehicle, as MHs generally don’t have the strip that you thread a skirt into, that caravans have. We sometimes rig up a tarp there, Heath Robinson style.)
couldnt you use magnets to hold a skirt in place?
Magnets only work on steel. Our MH has a monocoque body, so we’re into bungees. Might be ok for DK’s vehicle though.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 08/9/2025
(From experience, as you’ll know too, it can be draughty because of wind coming under the vehicle, as MHs generally don’t have the strip that you thread a skirt into, that caravans have. We sometimes rig up a tarp there, Heath Robinson style.)
couldnt you use magnets to hold a skirt in place?
Magnets only work on steel. Our MH has a monocoque body, so we’re into bungees. Might be ok for DK’s vehicle though.
Normally used to fix awning side wall draft flap to caravan wall. Will stick to any smooth/untextured reasonably flat surface. Non-branded versions available at a better price if you hunt them down!
You may need to punch holes through your skirt at appropriate points (avoiding panel gaps, extremely curved surfaces etc.) to fix the Limpits through. My Kampa awning came with the holes in the side draft flap as standard, but I added them to my Sunncamp awning so I could use them on that too.
The Limpits work well, but be careful not to over tighten (they can break!), they only need the lightest tightening to provide a secure grip. Cheaper alternative similar ones have been around in the past, but I couldn't find any on a quick search.
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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 09/9/2025
Magnets only work on steel. Our MH has a monocoque body, so we’re into bungees. Might be ok for DK’s vehicle though.
I just checked and the Kampa draught skirt that I have purchased uses lampets that Monty has posted, and not magnets, DOH!
DK
Post last edited on 09/09/2025 13:47:42
Post last edited on 09/09/2025 13:48:48
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I have one similar suncamp 390 great for long weekends. keep it in the caravan full time. very light very easy. Up and Down.
Cheap as chips at around £150 mark
👌👌👌👍
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 09/9/2025
Magnets only work on steel. Our MH has a monocoque body, so we’re into bungees. Might be ok for DK’s vehicle though.
Kampa/Dometic 'Limpit' suction cups may be your solution
Normally used to fix awning side wall draft flap to caravan wall. Will stick to any smooth/untextured reasonably flat surface. Non-branded versions available at a better price if you hunt them down!
The first set had to be returned as it did not have the means to charge the charging unit independently via USB, contrary to the stated description and photos as seen in the listing. I need this functionality so that I do not have to take down the lights in order to charge the charging unit on cloudy or rainy days.
The second set from a different brand has a USB-C port on the charging unit. However, the battery indicator appears to be not working properly and was showing as nearly full after I left it on overnight, and the lights blinked and turned themselves off when I pressed the on/off switch.
The charging unit is currently sitting outside in the sun to be charge.
It is relatively cheap and cheerful, and it will do for now.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 13/9/2025
I bought a set of lights for the new toy!
.....
It is relatively cheap and cheerful, and it will do for now.
DK
I don't wish to be alarmist DK, but 'cheap and cheerful' Lithium battery packs have acquired a bit of a reputation for spontaneous combustion whilst on charge! Yours may be NiCd (not normally any problems), and solar charged Lithium tend not to have a high enough charge rate for issues it seems, but in the name of safety, maybe only charge whilst supervised.
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 13/9/2025
I don't wish to be alarmist DK, but 'cheap and cheerful' Lithium battery packs have acquired a bit of a reputation for spontaneous combustion whilst on charge! Yours may be NiCd (not normally any problems), and solar charged Lithium tend not to have a high enough charge rate for issues it seems, but in the name of safety, maybe only charge whilst supervised.
Don't worry, I am fully aware of the pitfalls of recharging Lithium batteries unattended.
Don't do that at home and don't do it while camping.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Bought a canopy type awning!
via mobile 08/9/2025 at 11:10am
