For the last two years we have used a Royal Windsor 260 "stay on van" porch awning, ie. the awning is rolled up into a bag which stays attached to the awning rail whilst travelling around, so no need to thread it through the awning rail each time. We absolutely love it - the time it saves is phenomenal. But it is pretty worn now, and we are looking to replace it, ideally with a Royal Windsor 390, so the larger version of what we already have. But they have been discontinued. Does anyone have experience of any others? I have seen the Royal Wessex (which I suspect is a replacement for the Windsor) but it seems much more complicated (and also much heavier). There's also mention of Pyramid PDQ XL but that's again been discontinued. All help much appreciated.
We had a Pyramid PDQ but I wouldnt recommended it. The bag leaked despite my best efforts to reseal it which meant that the inside of the bag went black and looked horrible. The fabric itself faded and discoloured within 12 months. During some fairly strong winds, one of the poles bent. Agreed, it WAS easy to put up but the disadvantages definitely outweighed the advantages
------------- hawk
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone"
I have the body of a greek god - its in my freezer
We had a Outdoor Revolution Spacelight. Hated the awning. Could never bring ourselves to leave the bag on the side of the van in transit, so used to roll it up into the bag and then take the bag off the rail. Sold it on ebay.
David, when you say you hated the Spacelight, what was wrong with it? I've just had a look at it (2011 version) and it seems quite nice. Was there a reason why you didn't leave it on the side of the van? Sorry if this seems like an inquisition!
Quote: Originally posted by SusieSausage on 13/4/2011
David, when you say you hated the Spacelight, what was wrong with it? I've just had a look at it (2011 version) and it seems quite nice. Was there a reason why you didn't leave it on the side of the van? Sorry if this seems like an inquisition!
Not at all Susie. I've just had a look at the 2011 version (didn't know they'd decided to bring it back) - I have to say it looks much nicer than the earlier version, which always seemed to have a lot of wasted space. The original had a fibre frame hoop at the front, which meant you had restricted room at the sides - the new one seems to have down pieces and a curved top piece which gives the impression that it's much more useable. Our old Spacelight not only always looked odd, but because there was no support between the 'front hoop' and the caravan, the slightest bit of wind meant that the whole structure was quite unstable. The 'storm straps', such as they were, were attached to the canvas & front pole by a piece of elastic ring - rather like the thing my daughter puts in her hair, so didn't do much to stabalize the outfit.
I never liked the idea of leaving it on the awning rail to travel because of the extra weight on the awning rail (many on here posted about this at the time), and because we use our main awning quite a lot and therefore would have ended up in taking it off in any case.
After saying all that, the 2011 Spacelight looks much better, and may be worth looking at in the flesh. In the meantime, we are really happy with our Kampa Fiesta - a very stable unit, and head and shoulders abouve the old Spacelight IMHO.
David, thanks so much for getting back to me - all clear now! Still none the wiser in what to buy - definitely want to stick with the "stay on rail" idea, though. Will keep looking. The Royal Tourer Awning has come up in searches - will look at that. Thanks again.
Quote: Originally posted by SusieSausage on 13/4/2011
David, thanks so much for getting back to me - all clear now! Still none the wiser in what to buy - definitely want to stick with the "stay on rail" idea, though. Will keep looking. The Royal Tourer Awning has come up in searches - will look at that. Thanks again.
Hope you get sorted, Susie. Let us know what you decide and how you get on.
I have an outdoor Revelotion techlite one porch for sale in teal/silver colour for any reasonable offer, its only been used once. but fouled our kitchen and front window, so its got to go now we have our Kampa rally.
Its the leave on the side, one pole quick erect type of porch awning for anyone intrested.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Thanks for all the posts, guys. I have now decided to simply buy another Windsor 260 but in a different colour (to match new outfit) and have managed to find what would appear to be the last one in the UK! You may well find me back on the Forum again in another couple of years when this new one packs in, but in the meantime thanks for your help - I'm done!
When we bought our stay on van awning we were advised by the company that sold it to us not to keep it on the caravan when travelling, as it would affect stability and I think there may be other issues. That was fine as we had already decided not travel with it on the caravan.
I’m sure there have been other issues raised such as it dragging on awning rail and causing damage / leaks through travelling with it on. Also when we looked at the fixings they didn’t look that strong and I would be worried about it coming off when travelling and causing an accident.
Having said all that we like Tec-light the quality seams better than others we had (Quest being the worst with so many faults it went straight back) the cover does leak so that’s another reason why we don’t have it on the caravan , and in heavy rain we get drips down the straps on the caravan side.
Thanks for your views, Ecocamping. I can honestly say, though, that the Royal Windsor 260 is everything we expected it to be. It stays quite happily attached to the side of the van, does not affect stability one bit, does not leak, is easy-peasy to erect,etc. etc. The only downside is that cover bag is exposed to the elements 24:7, and it is this which failed as it ripped (the sun had made it too brittle) and is not replaceable on its own. The actual awning itself is in fine form (and will now be used for spares!). We caravan virtually every other weekend so quick erection is paramount to us. As we only paid £130 for it in February 2009, we've taken the view that it's worth spending a couple of hundred pounds every two years or so to buy a new budget awning, but will definitely stick to the "Stay On Van" format.
Wongers, i would be willing to sell for a reasonable price, but if you wanted it posting then obviously that would be at extra cost to yourself, or if ever your up this way around the peak district then i would keep it until you could collect on payment of a small deposit, or let me know which areas you will be in this season and maybe that would be a bit closer if we were in the area at the same time
make me an offer if your wanting it anyway, and we will take it from there
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: "Stay on Van" Awnings
