Hi, need extra space, in Henry M/H but not sure which is the best buy, the Freestanding Annexe, or The Inca weekender porch, need help to decide, so please can I have your views and any advice on them.
Having just bought our MH we were not sure wether to get a safari room for the awning or a freestanding annexe. There are (aparently) pro's and con's to each of them. We looked at the free standing ones, and most of them seemed really tiny space wise. Little more than a porch, so not much use for putting a couple of teenagers inside in a pup tent. The one we did see, was lovely and could be extended with zip in extra rooms. Huge - but unfortunately very weighty with all the poles and so on to find room for inside the MH . Would also have taken ages to fit it all together, and since we aim to be flitting from place to place with a one night stop here and there, it didn't seem the right choice for us. We then thought about the safari room to attach to the Omnistore awning that we have had put on the side of the van. The awning is already there, so all we'd have to do is clip the sides on and peg the bottom down. It will have plenty of room for a couple of pup tents inside, so seems the best idea for us. I think what you have to take into consideration is how you use your van. Do you go somewhere and stay there and then go off out for days in the area, coming back to the same site? if so then a stand alone awning might be better for you. If you spend the odd night here and there and then move on, or are restricted to space for carrying the awning, then you might find a roll out awning with attachable pannels to be easier, especially if you are not intending to sleep in it as you can just put on what panels you need
Listen to me sounding like I'm full of experience - lol The side pannels for my awning are still in the boxes - not been anywhere to try them out yet !
------------- Why live for tomorrow, when you can live for today and tomorrow is yet to come?
Thanks for your reply, It was my first outing in the M/H last week and found it to be a bit cramped for space, but I loved it out there and can't wait to go again, so really it is for storing the chairs table etc.
Still undecided, as there are no local places for me to have a look at them, only on the internet.
Dot, another possibility, if it is just for storage of chairs table etc & to mark your pitch while you go out for the day, would be a utility tent. They are quick & easy to pitch & don't normally attract any extra pitch charge The Sunncamp one is very popular and I know a few motorhomers who use them. Or there's the Easy Camp one. Have a look at Outdoor Megastore.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I have decided to go for a free standing Annexe, as it will provide an extra room as well as a sun lounger, windbreaker and if extra bodies come along there is room for them
Thanks for your help and advice, got some saving up to do now. xxxx
Dot if its space you want you cant get much of that than with the Sunncamp Cruiser freestanding motorhome annexe...
comes complete with 2-berth inner tent and a couple of groundsheets, oddly enough, no draught strip provided, but shouldnt be too much trouble to make or buy one.
Quote: Originally posted by G3ROL on 19/05/2005
Oh no, it can't be as the grass looks a bit churned up!!
Aarghhh, we didn't do it honest, we never moved all weekend and when we left, we lifted the van off the site and onto the road, no definately wasn't us!!! Yes, it is Dent, and didn't we take good care of the grass.
Hi Happy Mvanners. We think that Safari Rooms are fine if you want to stay put. They can be a P I G to put up and in high winds the Omnistor/Fiamma systems have to come down. They are not like caravan awnings and because of their construction they do not resist the wind because they are not "round-tensioned" over poles as a cvan awning is constructed. Even with a tie-down kit the whole lot can disappear over the top of the van or worse tear the canvas which, believe me, ain't cheap to replace. We've had both types and are happiest with a standalone "Herzog" light weight fold-down unit which happily takes three gkidz in an inner liner and does resist high winds. We bought it and previous models at half-price from Jeff Bowen awnings who offers a super service. When we changed vans he took the previous ones back and sold them for us FOC not even a commission. He's on the web or enquiries to http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/directory2/details.asp?revid=114&typeid= No relation or otherwise to me just a good all round bloke.
Hi Jors, and everyone, no not sorted yet been out camping again and Oh! I love it, want a bigger M/H but can't afford it, trying to tell myself that this time last year I did not have anything and to be grateful for what I got....but its not working
Going to West Country Motorhomes show next week, but not holding my breath.... anyone else going?
We had the Safari Room which clipped onto the Omnistore awning. It was on our Autosleeper Clubman. We had a lot of use out of it on our long stays in Spain, but we had bikes for using to go into town and to the local shops. The Safari Rooms are not much good for short term. We didn't even consider it for stays of less than two weeks! Not only the putting up, which was a fiddle with its pretty little skirts, groundsheet etc. We always made it look homely and it was the dining/sitting room where we could spread and enjoy ourselves, especially if it rained or was too hot outside, with chairs, table, rugs and stuff. We also had a 12v light fixed to the outside of the motor home which was switched on from the inside, just inside the door. I really, really miss my motorhome!! Sold it when hubby got sick!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Porch or Freestanding annexe
need help to decide, so please can I have your views and any advice on them.
. Would also have taken ages to fit it all together, and since we aim to be flitting from place to place with a one night stop here and there, it didn't seem the right choice for us. We then thought about the safari room to attach to the Omnistore awning that we have had put on the side of the van. The awning is already there, so all we'd have to do is clip the sides on and peg the bottom down. It will have plenty of room for a couple of pup tents inside, so seems the best idea for us. I think what you have to take into consideration is how you use your van. Do you go somewhere and stay there and then go off out for days in the area, coming back to the same site? if so then a stand alone awning might be better for you. If you spend the odd night here and there and then move on, or are restricted to space for carrying the awning, then you might find a roll out awning with attachable pannels to be easier, especially if you are not intending to sleep in it as you can just put on what panels you need 
Yes, it is Dent, and didn't we take good care of the grass. 
