Message Forums

Picking our first caravan up tomorrow - Bailey Pageant Bretagne - can't wait. Prepurchase checks all perfect, no damp and CRIS shows as clear.

Wife's uncle is going to tow it back for us with his galaxy while I get my towbar sorted.

Going to give it a good old clean first then transfer the contents of our folding camper over to it (tv, bedding, mini oven, camp tables, chairs blankets etc and hoping to take it out following weekend, just a little outing to see what it's like to tow and live with.

It has a porch awning which measures about 12ftx8ft which also has a bedroom annexe - would you all recommend getting a fullsize awning?

Since we were last vanners, we've noticed that fewer and fewer people go for the large awnings. I think vans are generally bigger though andd lots of people go for the tent style awnings. I suppose it depends what you need one for and the size of your family too, OH, me and the dog will only need a porch when we get our van.

if it's any help, when we got our 'van (our 1st) it came with what ammounted to a 3/4 size awning which really was neither one thing nor t'other, so we opted for a full size one , our 'van is only a little 2 berth, alas being novices , i got one that was a bit ttoo big so it too had to go, in it's place we got a porch awning , has done it's job but in truth is too small space wise, even though theres just the 2 of us , so this too has been sold on and another ,correctly size, full awning has been purchased,

so i guess what i'm saying is ,for us at least ,it's full size all the way, ample room for picnic table a couple of chairs and still have room to store muddy boots etc.

may still get another porch awning for our weekend jaunts ,just don't tell my missus

I think we will try and see how we get on with the one with the van, and keep an eye on ebay auctions for a full size one - thing is, I've also got my eye on a cadac so need to prioritise!

congratulations on the van purchase.

We bought most things second hand when we bought our first van earlier this year. Preloved is a really good place to find stuff. We bought a used twice Kampa Rally 260 porch awning for £125 (RRP£260) and so far havent found the need to buy a full awning. The Rally measures 260 x 250cms so plenty big enough for a table, 4 chairs, storage cupboard, shoe box etc.

Our shopping list is relatively small as we have so much stuff already from the folding camper:

We want to buy some nice camping chairs but apart from that we are set - I even picked up a gas BBQ from tesco for a tenner last week!

Quote: Originally posted by savanne1 on 23/9/2011

---

Gary, what sort of savings are on offer at the NEC if we want to buy a full awning?

---

I am looking at going to the NEC but I doubt I will be buying a brand new awning - have a couple of fellow caravanners who picked up full awnings for around 200 quid. 

I think we will head to ikea to expand our cooking equipment.  I think we will take less than we did in the FC as we used to take a complete second kitchen with us so that we could cook outdoors/in awning rather than leave smells in the canvas.  We also took multiple canvas cupboards wardrobes and tables.  All will be up for sale at some point.  PLan to keep camper until spring next year to get best price for it. (and I need to replace the transit cover).

I do agree though that although we will be keeping an eye on weight we will be looking more at comfort rather than how compact things can be!

Congratulations on your new van.  I like both our full and large porch awnings.  To be honest, I always prefer a large awning when I can.  The practicalities are that we use a full awning when we are away for longer than 5/6 nights, but it also depends on when we go.  In the summer and later spring we live in our awning but in the autumn and winter, we don't.  Also, we find the smaller lightweight awning a lot easier to dry out at home.  As the weather is usually less good in the autumn and spring, this tends to dictate our use of the Kampa Fiesta.  So our use tends to go something like this, as a guide:

• February Half Term: Lightweight porch
• Easter: Lightweight porch
• May Day W/E: Lightweight porch
• Spring B.H: Full
• Summer Hols - 5 weeks : Full
• October Half Term: Lightweight porch

We rarely get the chance for a weekend, but if we were only out for one or two night, I probably wouldn't bother. 

Well it is all tucked away in it's new home.  Although I didn't tow today, my wife's uncle who was driving commented on how nice it was to tow (He's an experienced tower with a similar weight van).

So will be fitting my towbar tomorrow ready for next weekends first trip!