We are planning our first ever european tour. We have done long haul southern france trips where we stayed for 2 weeks but have probably our only chance to do 5 weeks away this summer.
We have a small porch awning (apache) which we love and a full dorma awning for longer stays. If we are having more shorter stops, but some longer ones we want a full, lightweight awning which could be put up with 1 adult and 2 children (9,11). It would need front opening as we will be encountering some hot weather.
There were awnings that fixed to the side of the van which we were thinking of and have seen the kampa rally 390/390 pro.
We would love some advice as to an awning that is easy to erect but functional to put table/chairs/bikes for 2 adults, 2 children and travelling kit
Will be posting elsewhere regarding the trip...all we know now is that we will start in england and want to see our friends who spend the summer in mid italy...east of Rome.
Im sure you will be happy with your Kampa rally, they are brilliant awnings and easy enough to put up for one person alone as soon as you have your first leg pole held in place by its guy rope, im disabled myself and theres only the two of us, but OH manages to put up the Kampa single handed once i have just held that first leg whilst he pegs it out. you will need to buy the acesories such as storm straps, rear upright legs and monsoon poles but they make the awning supersnug and very weatherproof. We loved our 260 so much that we have now bought a 390 for when our daughter comes away with her children to stay with us on site, although ours are 2010 seasons stock.
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!
Look at the Kampa Fiesta too as another option. Personally we like the style much better than the Rally. Siges and front all zip out. You can even buy zip on extensions/sleeping annexes. Poles much more substantial IMHO. Take a look at my gallery images.
Hi David,
Is there much difference between the rally and fiesta? Is it the fact that the covers zip out...we would like that. The key is that it is easy to put up and a decent size.
I had had a look but it isn't always obvious what the difference is...other than money....eg what is different between pro and not pro other than the material and price and therefore is it heavier or worth the money.
The thing I always found a bit awkward about the 'lean-to' type awning, personally, was balancing the poles. We didn't have a Rally, but we had a Sunncamp Ultima 390. There were 4 hoop-type poles, and they were never fully up until they were all up. Unless you used guys as you errected it, it was always a bit of a balancing act. At the time I was awaiting a shoulder joint replacement too. The 'poles' were those very thin flexible fibre poles and a couple of them began to split. From what I have seen of the Rally, it is certainly better than the Sunncamp, IMHO, but not as good (for us, at any rate) as the Fiesta.
One really good thing about the Fiesta is the strength of the poles. The large steel front pole has got to be the most substantial pole on a lightweight awning I have ever seen. Once you have fed this through you can (carfully) angle it in position while you get the roof poles put out. It really is easy, IMHO. We always leave the panels zipped out when we put up/take down the awning. It's personal preference. If you take out the panels we find it is handy having less 'material' to cope with and it is easier to fold the panels and the 'roof'. The down side is that you have to spend a little time zipping in and out. It is personal preference, but at least you get the option!
The Kampa is more like the 'concept' of a traditional awning. For us that is good. We use a similar process for putting it up and folding - we like that.
It's all a matter of preference but the Kampa really suits us...... and I can assure you I am not on commission...... I wish!!!!
P.S. We have always found the Fiesta a great size for us. If you look at the top 2 of my gallery images, it will give you some idea.
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Topic: Easy erect lightweight awning
...but the Kampa website shows some pretty clear photos of all of their awnings,if that helps..
