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Dear All,

We are looking to purchase one of these awnings as we have recently upgraded our caravan to a twin axle and feel that we no longer need the space of a full awning.

The awnings we are considering are; Sunncamp Ultima 390, Kampa Rally 390, Panama XL 390 Porch Awning (Towsure) and the Riviera Horizon 390. If you have one of these awnings I'd really appreciate an owners review on the item.  I'm leaning towards the Kampa Rally 390 as I like the roof shape of this item but I'd rather hear from the experts - the people that already own these.  Would be keen to see one on display somewhere but as yet haven't managed to find anywhere that displays them!

We have measured our caravan and the awning will end half way across our back window which is not a problem but I'm worried that it might scratch the windows - do these awnings come with the foam padding sections that go down the side of the van (sorry don't know the official name for these but hope you know what I'm referring to!). Also I've read some where that these awnings don't come with the skirt but this has to be purchased separately - came anyone confirm this? and what about curtains - do these awnings come/have curtains?

Would appreciate your reviews, really interested to know about ease of putting up and taking down and usability.  What are these awnings like in windy conditions? etc etc

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards,

Alibongo1

Have you tried the search button  top right of the page.

We are also debating on gettin the Kampa Rally 390...

Kampa are goin to be at the NEC..so we are goin to get a good look at then hopefully...

Sal :-)

We have an Ultima 260 (same structure as a 390, but one panel shorter) - we have used it extensively in all weathers for 3 years and it is only now showing wear on the pole sleeves - we intend replacing it for this season.

It's easy to put up (I often do it single-handed), and if properly pegged and guyed is very stable.  There's no poles down the back where it contacts the 'van, so all that will touch the window is the fabric flap.  It is surprisingly spacious (even the 260) - there's room in it for two big chairs and the table, the rubbish bin, those bits and pieces you tend to drop on your way in (!!) and the dog's bowls.

The only reason we are considering a different awning as a replacement is we saw one at the NEC in October that is even easier to put up and has even more space ... unfortunately we can't remember the make, so we're going to the NEC later this month in the hope it's there again!  But we have been more than happy with our Ultima.

Edit - after much trawling of t'interweb, the awning we saw at the NEC is a Quest Windermere!

 Scampi- I see that you are looking to buy a new awning. I'm wondering if you will be advertising your old Ultima 260? I would be interested if you are. If so do you pass Somerset on your travels? I will be going to the camping show at Bath & West Showground ( we live just down the road).

Jim.

Aww, Jim - you could have the 260 for nothing if I could get it to you!  It really is beginning to show its age along the pole sleaves (although you would probably get a season out of it), and it's had LOTS of use so is 'less than spotless' , especially on the splash-wall (no mould though).  But it's a LONG way from Leeds

In the end, we decided against the Quest Windermere and went for a Sunncamp Panorama as our Ultima replacement - the Sunncamp quality seemed so much better that the Quest.

Hi Alibongo1, We bought a Panama xl390 from Towsure with our new caravan for around £200 and the logic was that if we got on with an awning we would spend 7-800 on a "proper" one in a few years. We have used it for 2 seasons now and it is very easy to put up. It came with a skirt so that you can reduce the draughts under the caravan. I can put it up by myself but 2 make it a lot easier. We have been on site where traditional awningn have blown down but ours survived - the fibreglass poles can flex in very strong winds and this seems to prevent damage or guy lines pulling out.

We would buy another one when this one wears out but no sign of that yet so the investment was well worth it. You can also open up both ends and the side which then sits on 2 long poles to give  a big entrance. Great for Autumn BBQ's as well - we use our cadac as a heater and it works really well. Highly recommended.

Cheers Admiralmagnus

Hi

I purchased the panama 390 awning from towsure last weekend, as the old bradcot canvas one was always a bit of a nightmare to put up, and the daughter borrows the van and HATES putting the old one up

It was easy to put up and as it was so wet and windy at the weekend, i brought it back home to dry the outer tent (wouldn't have dreamt of dragging the old canvas one home.  Agreed about the sides being just rested against the van, i didn't realise they did this!  However as the top goes through the awning rail everything was kept dry

Only downside was condensation as obviously it's not canvas, but it wasn't a problem

Some pics here from Saturday

We have a Sunncamp 390 (3 panel). Have had it a few years. Its received a fair bit of bashing in the wind and some of the bendy poles split so OH had to tape them. To be fair, we were on a very windy site. It does the job, OH can put it up single handedly. Can't remember whether we had a skirt with it.

We also have the problem of it being half way across the back window but its never scratched it. I bought a bedroom annexe for it, which hangs inside the awning, came in handy a few times. Only cost £30. All packs away into a handy carrier. We got ours from Towsure.

Beware if you're buying an "own brand" copy because I noticed that the Pyramid panels only opened part of the way down, rather than all the way to ground, so therefore wouldn't really be used as doors (we the end, curved panel because its right opposite the van door and we can pull the sides tighter under the van).

I like the metal poles that came with it that let you prop open the panel like a little portico.  We have also noticed that condensation can be very bad. Some mornings everything is soaked, drips like mad. Twice as bad if someone is sleepin in it.

Overall, I would recommend it, so much easier than a full awning (and lighter than a normal porch awning), and they have loads of space inside

Thanks, Scampi, for the awning offer. As to the condition, well you should see  our old Transit. It might make it look better. Probably we'll just have to let the moths out of the wallet and buy a new one.

Hope you find the right thing at the NEC, Jim.

We had the sunncamp ultima 260 same as 390 but shorter. We were very happy with it. Very easy to put up and as I'd just had a bypass this was brilliant, and surprisingly stable in bad weather. The gaps down the side of the van can be a problem if not properly erected and on level ground as there is nothing to fill in but we were happy enough with it.

Only problem with it was that we left it up for about 2 - 3 months and the material crumbled when we took it down. This is not within the spec of this type of awning so our fault.

We were going to buy another but finished up with a canvas porch in the end.

i look a right numpty now, my guy ropes are all wrong

gping to tie them all up into doubles now and make it all lovely

Scampi. Hi, it's me again. Amazingly I've got friends who are passing Leeds next weekend. If it was convenient could they pick up your old awning? I would be happy to give you something for it. If so could you call me: 01458 851118.

Jim.