Hi, I got one of these air awnings recently and we love it.
It comes with a set of poles to erect where the walls are close to the caravan. It also has �sucker devices to hold it to the side of the caravan.
First time use, I felt the poles were unnecessary (unless perhaps high winds were expected) - but should I be using the poles? What do others do, please?
Previous owner said he removes the zip out sides for storage and for ease of fitting in the awning rail and that seems like a good idea, but need to zip them in before pegging out of course.
Only down side seems to be the weight when sliding into the rail but very doable with an assistant.
The YouTube video is pretty helpful. Any additional tips for us?
Thanks.
we use our poles, but we put that foam pipe cladding stuff on them as this makes for a better seal on the caravan, the first couple of times using the awning we removed the side panels but to be honest it hardly makes much difference and is such a faff on that we now leave them in place and just open the zip near to the front corners to aid folding up better as the whole thing then lays flat and we can fold up in a square shape. so apart from the folding up my husband puts this up on his own, i only help if the wind is getting up a bit much and that is to hold things down on the front end until he can get some pegs in the ground
We always put the awning up without all the panels in, it’s lighter. Yes I think the poles are a bit of a waste of time. I use them only because we have them.
Really pleased with the awning though.
Thanks C & C
I see that I’ve changed it from a kampa to a Lampa (it’s bloomin’ spellcheck)
I’ll leave the poles in the bag unless there’s a hurricane forecast 😀
We have one of these and are very pleased with it Still able to handle it fully assembled, but I can see the time coming when I have to remove the side panels to make life easier.
We have found having an electric pump helps.
Ours does not have rear poles anyway and I do not fancy using any suckers on the caravan. I think they are inclined to leave marks.
Having an older caravan, we have to use the extended poles that hold the air awning draught shut out flaps against the caravan side because it's rippled at two sections therefore not totally flat all the way up like most of the modern caravans are. The limpet suckers would only make contact at two flat points on our caravan therefore not practical which remains with a choice of either using poles or nothing at all. With reference to one of the above posts, it was stated that the poles are a waste of time but in some circumstances like ours we have no option but to use them.
I understand Tango. There’s a raised logo on my ‘van that stops one of the suckers working. But still a satisfactory seal. Great piece of kit, despite the weight.
Quote: Originally posted by oxter on 10/4/2023
I understand Tango. There’s a raised logo on my ‘van that stops one of the suckers working. But still a satisfactory seal. Great piece of kit, despite the weight.
We found that the one disadvantage with the air awning was the weight even though ours is only a 260 model (see pictures on my profile) but I purchased the Kampa pulley system which helps tremendously once you get the awning cord about 3 parts of the way up the the front awning channel. However, we did remove the front and back panels to make it a bit lighter then zipped them in afterwards which helps. On ours you can swap the panels to fit either side so the entrance door can be adjacent to the caravan side or furthest away whichever suits you best.
I think the intention is you use EITHER the extending rear poles OR the limpet suction cups to keep the draft flaps close to van wall. Using both does no harm, but is belt and braces! The limpet system was a Kampa innovation that was intended to remove the need for poles.
Using the limpets works most of the time for me, but I've had a few break in strong winds! - and they are far too expensive to regard as 'disposable' items IMHO! Poles are undoubtedly better in strong winds (it's a moot point whether the awning should be left up if winds are that strong!). Limpets obviously (it is obvious to all, isn't it!!!!) don't work on textured/embossed pattern walls, nor should they be affixed on top of decals (risk of damage by lifting them off wall and/or discolouration where limpet in contact).
Never quite understand why, but some people seem to strive for a near hermetic seal between awning and caravan wall, whilst drafts come in multiple other places on most awnings! I'm happy just to achieve a moderately good fit that stops the rain driving through the small remaining gap.
As to fitting awning to van, I've got a Kampa Rally Air Pro 330 (about 18kg), and really couldn't be asked to remove and refit zip out sides when fitting (it's a HUGE faff that extends erection time enormously!), it all goes up in one! I fit mine on my own, with the help of the Kampa Pulley device. I have friends with the same awning and they fit 'all in one' too. I fully accept that for some the overall weight of a complete air awning may be too challenging, but whilst I can still manage it, I'm not inclined to make the task more long winded (rather defeats the inherent benefits of a quick to erect air awning IMHO!) by removing side panels! - in fact, the side panels of my awning have never been entirely removed at all in the years I've owned it, only ever partially unzip for a bit of ventilation.
If you haven't already got the roof lining, I found it was a great benefit in reducing condensation buildup on the roof, AND it stops the indoor 'rain' if there is condensation! Difficult to quantify, and it may only be an impression, but also thought the roof lining kept the awning cooler in sun, and warmer in chiller evenings.
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Topic: Kampa Rally Pro Air Awning
via mobile 09/4/2023 at 4:05pm
