We are looking at purchasing a small drive away awning for our Symbol for storage whilst out for the day. It may also be a possible extra bed area for our grandson/daughter. Ive looked at the videos showing real time erection times of both air tube and fibreglass pole driveaway awnings.
Are the air awnings really much quicker to erect than the traditional pole awnings. Another consideration is the weight difference.
We will only be putting the awning up if we are intending to stay more than one night.
Don't know about driveaway awnings but I bought an air awning for my last caravan thinking it would be quicker to erect than our poled one. We used it twice and were very disappointed. It was much heavier than our poled awning, and took just as long to put up. The reason was that the longest part of putting up both awnings was the pegging out, and this was no different with either. We will probably be selling the air one next year.
We have had in total 3 Drive away awnings from new since 2008.
First one, an Outdoor Revolution 'thin elasticated' poled one. Very good product, but gave it to our niece when we bought our...
Second one, a Vango Air Sapera, fantastic bit of kit. But far to big for a M.H. Could have pitched ten at inside it! Still got it, use it for when we are a party of 4, with loads of fishing kit.
Third one, a Vango Air Kela, again very good, but should have spent a few pounds extra and had the thicker material. That one is the Kela.
As regards weight, our big Vango is a heavy weight. The smaller one is not so. The outdoor revolution poled one was about 14 kg I think including poles, but it was a bit of a bugger threading elasticated poles through sleeves and then clipping the exposed part of the poles to the 'tent' material.
To my way of thinking, the nearest any brand has got in providing a 'tunnel' that fits vertical to the side of the van...is Kampa, that is because they have a thicker/heavier material, and a 'cushion' that wraps around a vertical pole, vertical to the van. All manufacturers give their product weights. I honestly believe if I were in the market for another drive away, it would be either a 'Kampa' or Vango. They do exactly as stated on the tin. One thing I have not mentioned, is the tunnel that attaches to the van. It's better on an air awning, as it is more flexible when retuning after a day out and you need to re attach to the awning rail. Kampa as far as I am aware, do not have that flexibility, but I stopped looking at awnings some years ago....can't afford another LOL
Hope this helps you a bit.
Air awnings are fairly heavy to stow. After a few times practise it’s easy to put up and position. The joining section is great for storing outdoor kit etc when parked up. It’s even easier to take down and we have always fitted back in its bag easily.
We bought the Vango Air Kela for our VWCamper but soon found that it was too heavy and large to take away when touring. If you intend staying in one place once you arrive, it was a great piece of kit.
We now have a small Kampa Utility tent and sun canopy which seem much more practical for touring.
We have be looking at this issue for our van, and considering weight and cost, time, etc we need storage for chairs table bbq etc, so we went to Decathlon and brought a pop up tent it’s fab does all we need and more, £50 and it’s folds flat.
We all have a lack of space so for us it worked out just right.
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: Which is easier pole or air on awnings
