Can I ask you experts do all porch awnings fit any caravan? Do I have to buy a certain height etc. we have a swift charisma 230 2 berth and it seems a mind field out there on what to buy.
Hi yotanka62, we have a couple of porch awnings,a Kampala rally pro and a camptech air dream and they bothe fitted our previous and current vans,the vans had a 10 year age difference . I think there is approximately 150 mm of tolerance built into the to accommodate different vans and of course ground levels..
Most modern caravans are the same height which is within the height range of most porch awnings to allow for the unevenness of the ground.
Porch awnings are often sold as 260 or 390 sizes which relates to the length of level awning rail that you need to fix them to so have a quick measure of your van to see what size might be suitable.
With our Ranger we used a Kampa Rally Pro 260, we thought we could use a larger one but that would mean the front upright covering the window or the toilet cassette locker, luckily I realised this before I ordered!
I think most new porch awnings come in around 235cm - 250cm in height to awning rail. Easiest way is to measure from the ground up to the awning rail where the actual awning would slide in, you will probably find it between the sizes above.
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Before you buy a porch awning have you considered a pull out canopy. They are great for touring as they only take seconds to set up and put away. If you get one without sides you can get one new for under £200. Just a thought. I have one and would never go back!
When measuring for size try and get one that doesnt foul any of your windows or service locker doors, the friction of the awning blowing against windows can cause fine scratches on the plastic that can be difficult to remove. Also consider usable height at the front. Some awnings have a very rounded front drop, leaving full head height only available for about half the width of the awning, and can be very narrow anyway, especially the cheaper models, like most things, you generally only get what you pay for.
One of the most popular porch awnings are the Kampa Rally range, we were so please with ours that we opted for a 390 as well as our 260size in lieu of a full awning, and the larger one is handy when the family want to come along too.
Since buying ours, they have also added to their size range, and do a 200cm, a 330cm and a huge one which l believe is over 5000cm long. Our 260 is still going strong now into its 6th season, is very quick and easy to erect, and quite sturdy in high winds.
We did buy the extra rear upright poles, storm straps and monsoon poles for ours which are generic to all sizes of this make and model of awning, and are well worth the money.
I hope you find something to suit your needs very soon.
Julia
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Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Agree about getting the rear pad and pole set. I think most porch awnings come with the pads attached nowadays? A bonus in really windy conditions with a porch awning.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Hi Romany girl
I am new to all this and have bought a bailey pagent, i am looking for a small porch awning and am drawn to the kampa rally 200 or 260 is this a good choice, are they good awnings,are they easy to erect as i am a novice.
Thanks
Yes they are good awnings, and l would definately buy again if l needed to , the 260 is a decent size and large enough to take a table and chairs if needed, this size has 3 sets of poles and legs, plus the worth while rear upright poles.
The 200 has just two sets of upright legs and is even quicker to erect and ldeal for weekends, although l do prefare the extra features and space of the 260.
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!
Kampa rally range all day long great product Remember once on awning rail you can move it to suit you ie missing windows we have the 390 no problem setting up
Just bear in mind where your van doors/windows are according to the size of porch awning you buy. We managed to get one that fits perfectly between the windows - you don't want to have one in the way, not fitting right as it comes across the window. Also very irritating if you can't open a window etc!
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We bought a Kampa Air Fiesta last weekend and found something unexpected with the measurements quoted.
I had always assumed that the 'length' (whether it is 260, or 390, or whatever) was the length at the top, where it slides into the awning rail.
It isn't. The quoted length on ours is the width at the bottom - the vertical sides slope inwards slightly so the length along the awning rail is a little less (although it is clearly stated on the spec in the brochure), so do take this into consideration when doing as Romany Girl suggests and selecting a size which avoids the windows.
Can't fault the awning. Very good quality, steady as a rock in very windy conditions. Doesn't leak. Easy to put up once you have read the instructions and numbered the poles. Would definitely recommend it.
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Topic: Porch awnings
