Top of the range is Isabella. Dorema awnings tend to have quite a following although I am not a fan at all. Some of the cheaper full awnings e.g. Eurovent are very good value/ substantial. I much prefer the quality of our Eurovent to our previous Dorema. Personally I would go for a fibre frame - lighter than steel and more substantial than aluminium. Personally I wouldn't go for aluminium, but that is just my opinion. Whatever you go for you will always find someone who will either like or not like a particular brand. We once had a Bradcot awning which was great, but I know some have expressed concern about their cusomer services - I believe Bradcot may now only be available on line, but I stand to be corrected.
I wouldn't like to say that any full awning was quick to put up, but it does get easier with practice. You'll get a system for doing things.
For us, one of the things I generally don't like about awnings is ladder pegging points. The ladders do sometimes come off when you pack the awning away and have to be clipped on again - an easy enough job, but just a but annoying IMHO. We go for a full awning with the 'thick rubber band type' pegging point. We also like awnings that peg on the outside. Easier to deal with in my opinion.
Things on an awning can be changed very simply. e.g. to add some sort of clamping mechanism for the telescopic poles on fibre poles - instead of the plastic wing nuts. Make sure that whichever awning you buy it has a secondary beading to fit quick lock pads to (or the equivalent other makes - quicklock is dorema, but other makes are all much the same.)
Another thing to consider is how far out you want the awning to come from the van. Probably the most common distance is 250cm. Some do produce awnings with a smaller distance 240cm or even 230cm, and some produce larger ones: 300cm or even 350cm. My personal preference is for a 250cm. If you go for a 300cm or 350cm, they may well be more difficult to put up (I have to admit I've never tried), but you may have more difficulty on site where the pitches just happen to be alittle on the small side.
I don't know if this has been much help, but at least it has started the ball rolling. What ever you go for, if you by on line/mail order, I would make sure you see one in the flesh before ordering, so you know what to expect. Do come back with any specific questions.
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David
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Topic: which awning
