I have in the past had two porch awnings, both Sunncamp. I am looking at a StarCamp air porch awning. Does anyone have any knowledge of StarCamp please. I'm not interested in Vango/Isabella/ or any other make thanks.
Hi Robin (and/or anyone else who has one of these).
I'm also thinking about buying a Starcamp air porch awning (my poled awning is getting too heavy) & wonder if that's what you decided to buy?
If so, would really appreciate your thoughts as to ease of use and whether it lasted well.
Many thanks
Pete
Thanks Robin, that's useful to know. With the Sunncamps being lighter & cheaper than the Starcamp, I
just wasn't sure they'd withstand much use. But about 5 or more years life each is very encouraging.
Your comments are very useful, thanks again .
Quote: Originally posted by Pterodactyl on 28/2/2024
Thanks Robin, that's useful to know. With the Sunncamps being lighter & cheaper than the Starcamp, I
just wasn't sure they'd withstand much use. But about 5 or more years life each is very encouraging.
Your comments are very useful, thanks again .
Just as a matter of interest, the first one I bought I actually sold. It was a frame one and I bought an air one instead. Much easier to put up, especially as I put it up on my own. The third one is still going strong.👍
Quote: Originally posted by Pterodactyl on 28/2/2024
Thanks Robin, that's useful to know. With the Sunncamps being lighter & cheaper than the Starcamp, I
just wasn't sure they'd withstand much use. But about 5 or more years life each is very encouraging.
Your comments are very useful, thanks again .
I've got a poled (single hooped pole) Sunncamp SC260 Swift Deluxe awning, had it I think 4 years now, whilst not excessively used (3-4 times a year), it's been subjected to some pretty foul storms a number of times (probably should have been taken down in winds that strong!), used a couple of times in near perpetual heavy rain in November for two weeks, and still shows no signs of suffering in any way. It's coped with the weather remarkably well, think it's just a very robust design that sheds wind and rain rather than catches it!
Now the poled versions seem to be lightweight 75D material, whilst the airbeam versions which seem pretty much identical in every other way are heavier 150D material.
I originally got mine as a quick easy alternative for short stays (it's so quick and easy to erect and dismantle on my own!), instead of my larger and much heavier Kampa/Dometic Rally Air Pro 330 airbeam awning (which I can do on my own, but is MUCH harder work!), BUT, I've become 'addicted' to the ease of the Sunncamp, and the Kampa/Dometic hasn't been used for a couple of years now!
As to pole/airbeam version? The poled version is so very easy to erect, I see little benefit to the airbeam version, in fact the significant extra cost, the need for a pump, and the ever present risk of airbeam puncture/failure seem to be negatives to me.
If I have criticisms, they are more niggles than major shortcomings - no roof level ventilation (but it is a 'cheap' awning!), and rather a lot of mud skirt pegging points due to it's 'segmented' nature! Other than that, it's great, and would happily buy identical replacement if I needed to.
The same near identical design seems to be available from a number of brands, and I can't see any significant difference between them, other than some hefty differences in price! Look around most camp sites and it's probably one of the most common style of porch awning, with perhaps Sunncamp being the dominant brand.
Thanks to both Robin for that further update & Monty for your comprehensive comments, I've certainly got to put my thinking cap on now!
I've always had poled awnings before & have been reluctant to change to air versions due to the possibility of airbeam failure as Monty mentions. It was just the lower grade of fabric which was putting me off the purchase of the poled Sunncamp Swift Deluxe, but if that's stood up admirably to the conditions which Monty
mentions, I might take a chance & save myself a few bob!
Thanks to you both for your help, even though I'm still in two minds as to which would be better for me!
The lightweight material was a slight concern for me before I committed to buy my Sunncamp awning, but my logic was that it was only for occasional use when my heavy airbeam awning was not best suited, so it wouldn't be subjected to much wear and tear and would suffice. I was also a little budget conscious for an 'occasional use' awning, so was influenced by the price to some degree, but it certainly wasn't a case of going for the cheapest I could find, very much a balance of price/practicality/durability.
'Best laid schemes of mice and men' and all that - basically I got lazy, the ease of use with the Sunncamp compared to the much harder work of the Kampa/Dometic airbeam lured me into using it pretty much all the time, so it's had a lot more use than I first envisaged! Doesn't seemed to have suffered for it's frequent use, only comment I'd make is, it probably has not been exposed to a lot of sunlight! - I seem to book foul weather along with the camping pitch!
Thanks again Monty, both for the further information & the link which was very useful.
Given everything I've read now, I think I'll go for the poled Sunncamp Swift Deluxe, the 325 size in my case.
I really appreciate all your help and trouble you've gone to.
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: Starcamp porch awning
via mobile 12/10/2020 at 8:12pm
