We are looking at getting an awning for our Swift Challenger, as we think it will be a good place for dog to eat and in the summer possibly one of the kids can sleep in it. we would like to eat in it so a full size one is a must.
Just wondered what sort you are using, are air beams worth a look? Are the cheaper brands any good, having looked at the price of some I nearly spat my wine out!
dorema have a factory shop take a look on their the prices are very good, personally I would stay away from an airbeam one, a replacement pole can soon be sort or a pole fixed, the same cant be said with a puncture.
We have had Dorema awnings and been happy with them but you need to make sure that you buy the correct annexe for whatever model you get - especially if buying second hand - as not all are the same zips.
We have now changed to an Isabella as we have a seasonal pitch and the awning is up for 8 months of the year. Having said that, the last Dorema (bought new) lasted 2 years before it began to look very faded. We bought the Isabella second hand as the new ones are very expensive.
Decide what type of awning you want first. The airbeam awnings come under the cheaper nylon tent type. If you want an awning that can have an annexe then you need the heavier frame type. The more you pay for this type generally the better it is.
Another vote for Dorema as we have had several of their awnings over a 40+ years, having to purchase new ones only when changing van sizes.We have never had a problem with any of them.
...and another for Dorema. Have a look at their website and then a visit to the factory shop just off the M62. We also have a zip in annexe.
Worth a bit of negotiation with them too.
I know you have said you would prefare a full awning, but with some of the larger sized modern porch awnings it is still possible to have a zip in annex whilst maintaining the living space of a traditional full type awning.
There are many advantages to having one of the top quality lightweight porches, they are much easier and quicker to erect, lighter to carry, and can be transfered to most future caravans without the hassel of having trade in and rebuy the correct size everytime you upgrade your caravan.
We started off with a Kampa Rally 260 when we returned to caravanning a few years ago and that awning is still as good as new 5 seasons on, but when the grandchildren arrived, we went and bought a 390 version complete with sleeping pod rather than a full awning, and we are very pleased we did, as whe we traded our caravan in for a new one, the awnings came with us. They also do a larger version of the Kampa Rally now, which l believe is a 420, plus the optional annex if required.
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!
I bought a cheap brand, can't remember name, I paid £380 for a full size traditional type with curtains. Its not canvas but in my opinion doesn't matter. Its lighter, waterproof and very sturdy in the wind. It also looks as good as a more expensive. It has steel poles at this price. I must say I'm impressed with it overall, I was wary about buying it, it doesn't feel cheap. If I was to buy another I would go cheap again. I know lots will disagree but I don't think the more expensive ones warrant the extra cost.
I would check out the larger porch awnings as mentioned like Kampa Rally models. We also have a 390 which is plenty big enough for table for 4/6 people plus other stuff
As above some you can get with an annex to attach to the side and all of the rally's will take a sleeping pod inside although obviously you would lose some room
You also get the Rally in an Air version if you choose although looking at lots more money as you have noted already
Weight wise the rally 390 Club we have is around 23kg. Considerably lighter than almost any full awning so more payload for the car/caravan
Having come from folding campers and experienced the full awning of a Pathfinder, I would never go back to a traditional full awning unless I was seasonally pitched!
We have the Kampa Rally Air 390. It's big enough for the dogs cage and a small table. We also have a bedroom inner that we use if my son visists, with still room for the dogs cage. Yes expensive but we were deciding between this and a full awning so cost was comparable.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
We've got both types that came with the caravan. The 390 is definitely more practical with ample size for a family, easier to erect (quickly) and considerably less in weight. You can buy standard bedroom inner tents to fit most models of this type, but this obviously encroaches into your living space. Most of the newer styles have pods that also attach to the outside to get around this. The larger full size awnings for me are better suited to seasonal use. The Kampa ace does look like a good option, kind of a cross between the two. I think we'll be considering one when the 390 finally gives up.
------------- I went to the top of the mountain...and looked over the other side!
Absolutely best value at the moment (imo) is the 2014 Vango Varkala 420 air bean awning, which is now down to £500 in several outlets.
We paid £700 - but, hey-ho.....
It's not 'full size', but at 4.2 metres it's pretty big (and virtually full size on a lot of vans, anyway) Vango supply a dedicated inner tent for £50 which can be placed at either end of the awning.
They are very well made with 420 denier rip-stop material - and, best of all, have no poles to faff about with, are quick to put up, and even quicker to take down.
If you opt for a full awning and consider buying an annexe for it make sure you get the right one as they are different regarding the fittings. The awnings normally come in two widths which are 2.4 and 3 metres wide from the caravan door so the annexe fittings are different because the 3 metre ones zip up one side, along the top then down the other but on the 2.4 metre width awning the annexe only zips up one side (furthest from the caravan side) and then along the top. The remaining side slides up through the awning rail first and is attached to the inside of the awning. Just thought it was worth mentioning as some people think that annexes are all the same fittings which they are not.
We also have a Dorema full awning which we bought brand new from their factory clearance and also bought the storm straps and easy fitting pads extra which was well worth it for about another 25 quid.
We have an Isabella Magnum porch awning, and bought the tall annexe for some extra room (both bought new). But we found the annexe to be most unsatisfactory (a previous Trio Mexico with tall annexe was much better).
So we traded in the annexe for the Isabella canopy which can be either fitted as an extension to the awning, or independently as a canopy fitted straight into the awning rail.
Bertie.
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Topic: Awnings
