I bought a Sunncamp Encore 390 with annex to replace an old heavy awning we have.
These are not a light alternative as they need more poles to support them.
Whats more concerning is that they don't withstand rain. With the first rain fall (moderate rain) we had water pouring down the front of the van through the awning seem.
The awning was a complete waist of money. Don't buy one of these, stick to a traditional canvass awning unless you are going to the south of France.
I wouldn't entertain buying one of these lightweight awnings as I have seen too many times just how flimsy they are in bad weather. The poles are smaller in diameter so there is less strength in windy conditions and also seen bent poles due to heavy pooling. I couldn't agree more that they are a waste of money unless you are going on the continent where warmer weather is guaranteed but they are not much use in Britain with the mixed weather we have.
With the lightweight awnings a lot depends on how well you put them up. The one below has taken everything the British weather has been able to throw at it. No problems whatsoever.
I bought a Sunncamp Encore 390 with annex to replace an old heavy awning we have.
These are not a light alternative as they need more poles to support them.
Whats more concerning is that they don't withstand rain. With the first rain fall (moderate rain) we had water pouring down the front of the van through the awning seem.
The awning was a complete waist of money. Don't buy one of these, stick to a traditional canvass awning unless you are going to the south of France.
Your awning will leak on the 1st trip however it will seal up after that as the fabric stretches and then shrinks water tight after the 1st rain.
Scarletsfan i have the same awning as you, what a brilliant awning its turned out to be, Its up in 10 mins with a large footprint and no loss of headroom anywhere.
we only use the full awning for the main 2/3 week holiday now as we used the porch all other times including 10 night stays
If your awning is nylon then it doesn't have to be proofed, they should be watertight from the outset. Sometimes the stitching may need to swell in the rain but certainly not the flysheet.
We had a Kampa Rally which was strapped down and double pegged with rock pegs, it still lifted and caused damage to our van. 3 steel poles were very badly bent.
------------- Are you sure you've read the instructions?
Quote: Originally posted by scarletsfan on 31/8/2012
With the lightweight awnings a lot depends on how well you put them up. The one below has taken everything the British weather has been able to throw at it. No problems whatsoever.
Yep same with our Rally 390, wind, rain, hail and snow, withstood the lot. Would never go back to a heavy canvas awning.
We have had our encore for 2 years now, it has stood up to torrential rain and very strong winds, the only leaks we have had have been drips along some of the stitching which were very similar to our previous full bradcot awning.
We have had our Kampa Rally up for three weeks now, and its taken everything the British weather has thrown at it, including high winds and torrential rain a few nights ago without as much as a drip pf leaking.
The poles are made to bend and flex with the wind rather than stay straight and static as with a conventional awning, and theres always the option to cross guy the inside roof if ever you feel the need to, we never have, and ours has been fine and now in its third season of use.
Julia
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I have a Dorema Starcamp lightweight and that has stood high winds and heavy rain better than top brand full awnings i have had.I have seen the sunncamp and when i read the instructions it did advise to put sealer on the stitching of the awning bead before use.
we had a problem with a brand new kampa rally pro 390,leaked like a sieve,loved the size of it,space ,ease to put up,so,spent time with fabsil,and seam sealer,really give it a good coating,which did the trick. Awning has been up for a while now,(not recommended apparently)has withstood a variety of weather conditions(usual british summer)and have to say,apart from fading ,still a brilliant awning.
we have the Kampa Rally 390, the only time we seem to have problems with it it when we use the monsoon poles for some reason it starts to leak over the door otherwise its brilliant - easy to erect and has stood up to wild weather in Cornwall. We are going to try and shorten the pole slightly so there isn't quite as much tension but will still give the support to the roof - see if that makes a difference, can't see it doing any harm
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Topic: WARNING: Sunncamp Encore 390 Awning/Porch
for some reason it starts to leak over the door otherwise its brilliant - easy to erect and has stood up to wild weather in Cornwall. We are going to try and shorten the pole slightly so there isn't quite as much tension but will still give the support to the roof - see if that makes a difference, can't see it doing any harm 
