Hi all. I now have a SWB high top sprinter and am looking at options for a drive away awning versus a tent (for visitors use). Does anyone with a sprinter (or.simolar.high top) have an awning, if so, which ones are good/bad. TIA
Commenting based on my observations during camping trips.
Drive away awning was very popular, however, a lot of campers did not secure the part of the awning that was connected to their vans when they left the campsites to explore etc...
When the weather turned bad and the winds picked up, the unsecured flaps would flap and could lead to damage, not to mention annoyance to the neighbouring pitches due to the noise.
Those with a separate tent, including utility tents for cooking and storage, did not have the same issue.
Personally, if the extension is intended for guests, I would opt for a separate tent. If it is intended for my own personal use as an extension of my van if I had a VW T5/6 for example, then I would get a driveaway awning.
Personal preferences and all that.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Thanks, yes have had a trailer tent and have seen flappy attachments when vans are driven away. Looking at best option as grandson (12) will likely be sleeping in the awning/tent so want to make him feel safe but the sprinter is high and don't know what awning is best. And we will peg it down IF we drive away so its not flapping.
Quote: Originally posted by Nannalynda on 26/4/2023
Thanks, yes have had a trailer tent and have seen flappy attachments when vans are driven away. Looking at best option as grandson (12) will likely be sleeping in the awning/tent so want to make him feel safe but the sprinter is high and don't know what awning is best. And we will peg it down IF we drive away so its not flapping.
Have a look at Khyam's offerings, not cheap, however, they are good products and I have had Khyam tents in the past and liked them.
They have a tunnel connecting their Screenhub to the van that is height variable.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
My friend bought a driveaway used it once sold it,and bought a tent to store chairs etc.He told me the reason was the tent was more sturdy when free standing compared to the driveaway and not having to connect it up again when returning to pitch.
Thanks, yes ts a consideration....but issue with standalone tent is that I I take the 2 grandkids camping, we cannot fit in same bed in the 'van so either myself or 12 Yr old will be sleeping outside in a standalone tent or attached awning, which will be better as I can leave the van door ajar if I have an awning.
Quote: Originally posted by Nannalynda on 26/4/2023
Ahh I see the tunnel connection. Do you know of it only fits onto same make tents? As in does it fit onto any similar size tent? If so....perfect!
Sorry, can't help with that one.
I believe it only fits the Khyam one(s).
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I understand exactly your need for the option of a tall awning with drive away ability. You do not say how 'tall' your awning rail is. If you do not have a rail you would need to have the 'throw over the roof' tie down kit. Personally we have two awnings both tall but one is much larger in size than the other. It is possible to put a double airbed in the smaller one. They are both 'Vango Airaway'. We only use our roll out awning to attach either of the drive aways and when ready, roll the thing back into its keeper on the van. Knowing you would prefer to attach when someone sleeps in the awning, I understand that youngster would just love the idea of 'camping', who would not. It does not mean that they have to be alone. The idea of having your door of the van open overnight is a good one, however you would need a fly net over it. But the awnings properly pegged down can be rather than 'away' from the van erected along side the van, and the van window can see into the the side window of the awning. They do not have to be Vango of course....any awning would do. I hope this helps, Happy Camping.
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Topic: Sprinter conversion
via mobile 26/4/2023 at 7:39am
