Hi again, we were away when I made the previous post. I made that from my phone. See you can teach old dogs new tricks! However it was made only because I typed my usual essay, and it vanished into the ether.
I learned of the Sapera ( we would need the TALL one) from MMM. It is mighty expensive for an awning. Vango airbeams have been about some time, but not as a drive away awning. I have never seen a negative comment ref Airbeams. It seems so easily errected , and that is what we need. Our Outdoor revolution xl...is a marvelous tool, but takes so long to errect. ITS ONLY drawback. This seems just the thing for oldies, neat and quick,and not a lot different is size to the O.D Rev. However,errected this Vango one is going to be somewhat large for , some anyway, pitches, on many sites.AND its GREY! So come on folks tell us both what you think about it. It is new to market, and more opinions may help us all.Practical opinions, may be few and far between till we hear from someone who has one, and has used one. I can't get a look at one until first week of August. I would like one, but need to see it first. OH is very touchy feely.
This awning, (SAPERA TALL) is the answer to our problem in quick errection of awning. Unfortunately, I dont know of a pitch that could accomodate it. Add the width of 'any' van to the length of the awning and it would be impossible to use on the majority of pitches available in U.K. Design fault? The 'tunnel' (fixing point to van) should maybe have been on the side of awning, in order for the awning to run along the side of the van. This awning is 5.1 Mtr long, stretching beyond the width of most pitches. My dreams are shattered. You do the maths, add 5.1 mtr to width of your van. I can't have one, so Outoor Revolution Movelite XL will continue in use (bought in 2008) maybe a Kyham will get a viewing in early August now. The store we use will have both types anyway, to view. I am going for a pint, to drown my sorrows, just as soon as the lawn is mowed and the doors are open at the local.
Hi, again, especially David Pegs and Cross Camping!
Have you seen one yet, have you already bought one. Have you both dismissed the idea ? What do all of the others out there think. The idea of the airbeams is sound ( Tents been in use for years!) But who knows what the actual item(s) are like? Surely we three are not alone in wanting to find our what these awnings are indeed like IN USE? . April, when O.P. was made seems an age away.....when awaiting feedback! In the 'needs to know' stakes, I am desperate. Would love to hear of any experience of these Please. My back is not getting any younger.
Seems to me that nobody wants one of these, so that maybe puts me in the 'dope' sector on this. I can't get my head round someone asking a question, and replies arrive and no further comment is made.
HOWEVER, I am true to my word.So sit back.
We went to have a look at the Sapera Tall Awning, ( 5th August, just as I said that we would) and we were truely amazed by both the quality, and design. It comes with everything you need to attach it to your vehicle. It is so simple, such good quality ( needs to be for the price!) we kept patting the wallet pocket and decided to look at everything else 'in store', and made a couple of purchases. Having spoken to just the one young man about the awning, we said we would be a little while in making up our minds, and that we would seek him out when our minds were made up, either way. Prior to leaving him for our will we wont we chat he came out to our van with tape measure etc, and sized it against the (known) measurements of the Outdoor Revolution that we have had, and enjoyed ( except for all that pegging) since 2008. ( NO...that is not for sale...yet ) We hummed and arghed together for over an hour on shall we shant we. Then the took hold of us. We went back inside, sort out the young man, and he took us straight to the pay desk..........there it was sitting on a trolly waiting for us! With a footprint mat thrown in ( not expensive, but a very nice jesture, and surprise) As he left us at that point and went back to the sales floor, we assume that this store does NOT pay commission on sales, as the invoice/receipt had no identification of the seller. That means a lot these days, to us anyway, it suggests that nothing will be hidden, no little porkies told about the item in question. So as this was the last day of our time away....we drove home with it. I must say, most of the conversation during that drive home was us trying to justify the outlay to each other. Next day it was errected in the garden and all doubts about our mad?, impulse? purchase were gone. It is a wonderfull piece of kit. It does all that it says on the can, so to speak.
I was not sure about the colour, not sure about the expense, not sure about, will we get the use out of it. Yet we did decide together,and I am sure that we shall use it, it is a marvelous tool. AND NONE OF THE PEGGING OUT, like our beloved old one. Which incidently is staying with us for the time being at least. Thanks for listening, and IF anyone else has experience of this Sapera Tall, the standard, the Kela....tell us all about it. Ours is yet to be fixed to the van, but it will not be long for that. So, Mr David Peggs ( funny that the 'pegging' of our existing one, is its only drawer back ) and Cross Camping have 'we' answered your queries? I do so hope that we have, and that we have shared the knowledge of our experience of Vango Air Beam Drive away awnings.to the best of our knowledge and experience thus far.
Hi there,
We are on the verge of buying a Vango Sapera II Air Beam Std for our VW and have just the one concern - the one you originally had, Austins, about its size? So.....were your concerns founded or has it not been a problem?
YES....we have found it a problem on some sites. Due to the size of the pitch. We have used the Outdoor revolution Movelite XL then. The Sapera(tall or Std)is a large awning. It is a superb awning. I have seen NO BETTER product. We have a load of gear to go in it though. However...I have been asking for opinions (just as you are now) on the Kela (1 or 2)tall, nobody seems to want to reply to the questions I asked. I assume they are not at all happy with their purchase of any other awning.All I get is "why have an awning". I should be getting out and about and taking in the air. WELL I spend 3/4 of my waking hours in the fresh air, and not all in the daytime. So...here are my thoughts for you on the VANGO AIRBEAM products. The are infinitely the best air product on the market. I said at the start that they were a tried and trusted name and had been making tents for years using the same AIR BEAMS.I have seen air awnings attached to Caravans and motorhomes. None have the quality and stability of the VANGO ones. So....My mind is made up....fishing we shall use the Sapera....other times we shall be buying the Kela Tall next week. (either at The Motorhome show in Somerset or where we purchased our first one Attwoolls in Gloucestershire. It goes without saying we are satisfied with ours. East Coast winds/fishing/rain/etc.....I know the VANGO will work for us. Just wish they (Vango) would pay me to say so. HAHA. Do it Roadrunnerrobbo, the awning can always be pitched at the front or back of your van (should anyone object) just a minor inconvenience not having it actually attached, when you consider the quality you will have. I always believe any comment made, is made out of jealousy that their choice is flimsy.
Much appreciated. My mind is made up, especially since we use the generally roomier CLs most of the time, anyway. Agree wrt Vango - we still have a small, old, inexpensive Vango tunnel tent that we bought for cyclo-camping 26 years ago. We've not used it for years and have NEVER waterproofed it. A few weeks ago, before we had the camper, we had to rush our dog up to Somerset for overnight veterinary care and we threw it in the car and off we went. It rained (of course!) but not a drop got through the tent. Superb. Last week, we took our brand new, not inexpensive, Kampa Air Awning away for 2 nights and, after 1 hour of light rain, we had water pouring in all the way around the bottom seam. Hence our need to suss out the rest!
Ive got one for my VW T5 its good but too big for some pitches here in the uk as it sticks out 5m or more from the side of the van and as one arsey warden informed me the standard is 3m.......just been to France and on their huge pitches it was great. Only other thing is position of bedroom which would of been better at the rear of the awning nearest the van as opposed to the front of the tent..overall very pleased though and once you've got the knack gose up really east and quick and feels solid in stormy weather as we found out in Conwy.
ive also got the kela standard which is ok for weekends but any longer and space would be an issue especially with 2 young children and all they tend to bring with them..
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Topic: Vango Sapera Awning
Unfortunately, I dont know of a pitch that could accomodate it.
Add the width of 'any' van to the length of the awning and it would be impossible to use on the majority of pitches available in U.K. Design fault?
The 'tunnel' (fixing point to van) should maybe have been on the side of awning, in order for the awning to run along the side of the van. This awning is 5.1 Mtr long, stretching beyond the width of most pitches. My dreams are shattered.
You do the maths, add 5.1 mtr to width of your van. I can't have one, so Outoor Revolution Movelite XL will continue in use (bought in 2008) maybe a Kyham will get a viewing in early August now.
The store we use will have both types anyway, to view. I am going for a pint, to drown my sorrows, just as soon as the lawn is mowed and the doors are open at the local.
took hold of us. We went back inside, sort out the young man, and he took us straight to the pay desk..........there it was sitting on a trolly waiting for us! With a footprint mat thrown in ( not expensive, but a very nice jesture, and surprise) As he left us at that point and went back to the sales floor, we assume that this store does NOT pay commission on sales, as the invoice/receipt had no identification of the seller. That means a lot these days, to us anyway, it suggests that nothing will be hidden, no little porkies told about the item in question. So as this was the last day of our time away....we drove home with it. I must say, most of the conversation during that drive home was us trying to justify the outlay to each other. Next day it was errected in the garden and all doubts about our mad?, impulse? purchase were gone. It is a wonderfull piece of kit. It does all that it says on the can, so to speak.
