I have a small campervan and I currently have a Vango Kela V drive away tent awning which is great for a long stay but a bit inconvenient for short stays. For this reason I'm thinking of buying a privacy room which is basically side and end sheets for fixing onto my Fiamma 45s wind out awning. Just wondering what members experiences are like with these privacy rooms?
Does depend on your way of camping ie constant touring or staying in one place for multiple days or wild camping.
For me a privacy room is just as much hassle as a drive away awning.
for us the best thing we bought was a quest pop up shelter less than 7 mins to put up and more importantly take down and is free standing so no problems if you want to go out, the down side is the length when packed away just under 2 metres but quite small in dia we normally have it on the floor when traveling and put it across the floor in front of the passenger and driver seat if we dont use it for an overnight stop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z-iFc4a_UQ
Other makes are available and we also have the four weather proof side panels
We find this a good option. Would be a pain if we had the awning fully decked out with clutter but at most it's a table, 2 chairs & dog bowls. They are versatile - canopy only, full awning or any combo of 0, 1, 2 or all 3 sides. Even if we just need to pop off site for a short while it takes 5 mins to unpeg & dismantle. For such trips it gets bundled into the van with the poles still in the side panels rather than folded up. Ours is the vinyl type one & it folds up small taking up less than a half of an Aldi 'bag for life'.
I don't like drive away awnings & would rather use a tent. For a rally I display at I have a Coleman shelter as an extension to the awning but could equally make a great 'driveway' on it's own as we have the side panels but much heavier & bulkier than the 3 Fiamma panels so too much for our small van for regular use.
Although I am having an awning/canopy for my van, I am still undecided if I would get some side panels as windbreaks or not, in case I do not stay on site and/or pitch all the time.
I have been eyeing a Quest pop up shelter ever since I saw one in person a few years ago as it is very easy to put up and take down, and may invest on one so that it can stay pitched up while I go out and about in the van during the day.
DK
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I have to confess I have had my eye on a sun canopy with sides for quite some time now. I like the idea of the open front for fresh air and the enclosed sides for a bit of warmth/comfort from draughts.
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Topic: Awning enclosures
