We are new to motorhomes (in fact not got it yet as on order) Can anyone give us advice on the best stand alone awning and some tips on how you align them up if you drive away and return. WE are not getting a tow car just yet.... can't flippin afford it !!!
I cannot help you on advising on an awning. Been away from motorhoming for too long.
As to aliening the awning.
You park up and erect the awning in the usual way. You then lay a rope, preferably white (so that you can see it if you return in the dark)along the driver's side wheels and peg it down. You then lay and peg a 6 inch piece of rope exactly in the centre of the front wheel and at right angles to the long bit of rope.
On returning to the site, as you approach your awning, open the driver's door and leaning out, alien your driver's side wheels with the long rope and drive forward until the front wheel is centred on the short bit of rope.
take a look at the quest elite quick erect awning, just purchased one with the optional inner tent, its very easy to put up and take down, and it will fir motorhomes up to 2.9 meters, it is 2.6 square, plenty big enough for sitting in and watching the crowd go by
It sounds like you may be buying a big motorhomes? I would be sure you need an awning before you buy one, a sun canopy may be enough
Depending on when and where you go, and how many people!
They are also known as freestanding awnings, if you look on eBay or preloved, you will find loads, as Wendyhouse says, seems many buy in haste.
Hi, Do not make your choice of awning in haste, have a good look around whilst awaiting your new 'baby'. Try a show in order to see them erected. We have the Vango Airbeam Sapera Tall. It is a very good product, very well made. Vango had been using 'Air beams' for tents for many years, we thought that was a huge advantage as it was a tried and trusted method. We have found our model can be oversized for some pitches, and it does get a few sideways glances. We are however going to buy its sister...The Kela Tall. Which is just over a metre shorter. Size, they say is not everything, but quality definitely is. I have never found returning to any of the two awnings we have had, a problem. The tunnel from the tent part, where you connect to the van is quite forgiving. Small pieces of metal (2) can be left exactly at the middle of the front 2 wheels. on the outer edge of tyre. We also use those metal pads for our rear steadies on the van. Enjoy, contain your excitement, salespeople love to see excitement. They don't have to work to sell you something then. Test 'em, ask as many questions as you can. Dare I say ask them to compare their product with that of another?
Please don't bother with a 'pop-up' Gazebo, we help on a campsite thru the summer and our dump is full of Gazebos, pop-up & others, a slight wind and they bend so far then break! The other thing not to bother with is the picnic table and chairs-the sort that are all connected and fold up like a suitcase.
Good advice from the above. We use a Apache Cabanon drive away awning. Its heavy, 11kgs for the poles and 11kgs for the canvas awning. We don't regret the purchase, especially during the Mistral winds in the South of France. Its solid. It is something one installs when one is staying longer on a camp site. But, as most Motorhomers visit and travel a lot, then it is not suitable for that type of travelling.
Ours is attached to the side of the MH using figure of 8 fittings, where the tunnel can be removed, then attached when returning to the camp site.
Gazebo's a big danger to your unit as well as other people's units, twice on different occasions I have had to go and secure other people's gazebo's when they went off site and a breeze came up, wish all sites would ban them.
Quote: Originally posted by Vectratot on 14/9/2015
Gazebo's a big danger to your unit as well as other people's units, twice on different occasions I have had to go and secure other people's gazebo's when they went off site and a breeze came up..
Yes, same here...
Having said that, I've probably helped grab hold of and secure more unpegged/unstrapped and unattended Fiamma type wind-out canopies fitted to MHs..
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Topic: Stand alone awnings
