Just returned from a grand European Tour (12 countries in 5 weeks - 4,500 miles on the clock!).
We noticed that a lot of people use a sun canopy rather than an awning. They still have groundsheets and all their gear under it etc., and we wondered if this arrangement would be easier to set up and so on, for next year (another tour planned already!) as we tend to stay for 3/4 nights only at any one site.
Anybody have any thoughts/observations on sun canopies v awnings? Where could I get one (cheapish!!!)
Cheers.
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Well Margaret, looks like we'll be waiting a long time!!!
I've gone ahead and bought a second hand Dorema Panorama Sun Canopy (£110) - it's actually new - never been used, but it had steel poles - very heavy, so I contacted Dorema in Castleford and agreed to buy a set of alloy poles for £77 - much lighter and easier to handle.
We have a sun canopy for our Eriba--just a cheap lightweight open fronted awning with ally poles(see my gallery)--you cant get 'em in the uk tho--got it secondhand off German ebay---the simplist sun canopy is just a sheet that threads thru awning rail & held up with 3 poles & guy ropes-but any sort of wind & it will blow down--The Dutch vanderhorn firm make loads of lightweight awnings-but you cant get them here unless they do mail order-you could email them tho--being Dutch they will speak English--
------------- Every day should be a holiday!
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I have an in between awning, derived from a canopy (shape and build, style of the sides, rather light, but can be fully closed, 25 kgs incl all panels and frame, considerably less without front panel and/or sides). When camping with more persons in colder circumstances we use it as awning, but in summer holidays usually just as canopy. Faster to erect and break down.
But use storm straps, as a canopy is more sensitive to wind. A summer thunderstorms can catch the awning if not tied down well (I always do, and in four years now the wind tried to take it away twice. Due to the storm straps everything was OK).
We prefer use as canopy. It protects us from the sun, but without front panel and usually also without side panels, it gives a more spacy feeling. I enjoy being outside during nice evening. Sitting outside during rain but good temperatures, a warm breeze, having a sip of a glass of red wine, looking over the river (like the Sauer) passing by.....
We have both, sun canopy for warm climes, possibly UK weekends and full for UK, earlier/later in the year!
We took our full awning to France in Aug as the weather forecast was poor-good move as was wet for the first few days.
If you have an awning with zip out panels they can be just as good and saves the expense of buying another!
Our canopy is aDorema (and the awning too!) They have clip in nylon storm guys either side. We put a couple of guys from the centre pole too as it can lift in the breeze!
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
We bought the Isabella Sun Blue this year for use in France and are very pleased with it, it's just like an awning without the front panels and the material is not as heavy as a normal awning. We use a Caravanstore in this country for weekends and Spring Bank Holiday.
We have used the Fiamma for the past 6 years.
This year we took a PDQ which, in view of the number of thunderstorms and rain we encountered in the 6 weeks, gave a lot more protection. but was a lot cooler than a full awning
we have a caravan store but the new pdq one for £240 is a really good buy and best of all you don't have to store the thing as it's in the awning rail already.
word of warning though if you buy a fiamma caravan store from the caravan show at the nec, some were only made for the european market and you can't add zip sides later from here as they have different zips.
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Our awning has been in the loft for several years. Not even sure what make our sun canopy is - maybe Trio ? - cost about £150 - but it is so light and easy to put up (3 poles, 3 guy ropes, 5 minutes) and waterproof that we don't even bother taking the awning now. Have 2 side curtains for bad weather but have rarely had to use them and when in France rarely have to sit in caravan in evenings, usually under canopy.
But then I guess it's much down to personal taste - and I wouldn't get rid of the awning 'cos in a few years we hope to do more 'vanning in UK rather than just our annual hols in France and I think it will be useful in the colder weather!
Earlier this year, we bought a Caravan Store Zip with side panels. It was easy to unfurl, taking only a few minutes to errect. However, when it came to folding away, my wife had to stand on a two step ladder to help me furl it up to the roof of our caravan. Being not too happy using a step ladder, she was very nervouse about climbing higher than one step whilst holding onto the awning with one hand and try hold onto the steps with the other. Consequenly, I had to gain assistance from another old lady, who was more agile! Therefore, if I were buying a sun canopy or awning again, I might well consider opting for a wind-down version, something like the Omnistor Safari Room, instead.
Roger
We went to France, took the full awning along with the poles. The poles were for the porch awning!! We had to use the gazebo - so everything left outside etc and seemed ok, but friends have the caravanstore and it looked impressive. We checked with our local caravan retailer and they sourced a caravanstore from their Rep who wanted to get rid of his 'old' stock. We had a brand new 4.1m for a lot less than the rrp, and they delivered it to us for another £15, which saved us towing the caravan over for it - we couldnt have collected it any other way.
We havent had the opportunity to put it on yet, but cant wait. We will use it in France next year.
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Topic: Sun Canopy v Awning?
