I have a very small van, which came with a full awning (steel pole/heavy fabric). We have never used the awning as we only go away for weekends & to be honest it looks like a complete pain to assemble and attach to our caravan.
I have searched the forum & came to the conclusion that a gazebo wouldn't be considered a suitable alternative to an awning, even if I used proper guy ropes, long heavy duty pegs & a storm strap to secure it.
So what alternatives do people use? I have looked at a Quechua 2 seconds base XL pop up tent and was wondering if it could be used alongside our 'van. Would caravan sites allow such a set up? I would really like to go away for longer but think we would need the extra space.
Have you considered a small porch awning like a little suncamp, I'm female and I could put our old suncamp up on my own really quickly, all flexible fibreglass poles lightweight , but gives you enough room for two seats and your boots bits and bobs.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
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I think that some would demand an extra pitch fee for using a tent like a Quechua XL, whilst some would simply not allow it if they were licenced for caravans only, whilst others would say that it would break the 6mtr rule between occupied units if it was pitched up tight against your caravan. In a nutshell it depends on how the site interpret their rules regarding their site licence.
The caravan club does allow a small 2 man pup tent to be erected within the confines of a pitch providing its only used for sleeping purposes with no cooking or daytime general living as though it was a separate unit. the extra adult charge per person does still apply though.
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 too was concerned that you may fall foul of site rules with a tent of that size or even a gazebo, there are quite a few sites now that frown upon them others just charge you to the point where it become non viable so I would tread carefully, we personally use the Fiamma caravan store zip doubles as a sun canopy or zip in the sides to make a 3/4 sized awning, downside is they are pricey new but you may find a bargain on flea bay.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level then beat you on experience.
Land Rover Freelander 2 & 2014 Lunar Quasar 554
I've used a quecha base next to my FC, Bell Tent, Trailer Tent and Relum tent, and never had to pay extra, that was on private sites, C&C & C&CC. Just call the site and ask. The pop up's are so easy and plenty of room too.
------------- Enjoy life whilst you can, it doesn't last for ever!!!!!!
We've used our Quechua Base Seconds with our folding camper with no problems, though we have only ever been on CC and C&CC sites with it. To allow clearance for the door of the FC we always pitch it a couple of feet away from the camper - no one's ever said anything bad about it and some wardens have even admired it. I honestly can't see the difference between the space being taken up with this or being taken up with an awning and some awnings are a lot bigger than this. We love ours and wheareas with the normal Dandy awning we always have to take it down the night before leaving, with our Quechua we can take it down in the morning - takes less than 5 minutes to take down and pack completely away (and only 5 minutes to erect).
I can only think of one instance mentioned on the forum when someone had a problem with one but in relation to a campervan, with Forest Holidays (about a year ago?) that claimed it had to be attached to the van to count as an awning.
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Topic: Awning alternatives
