We are new to caravanning and could do with some advice re our leaky awning. We purchased an Isabella Magnum Concept in April of this year and sadly we have found that it is leaking in any rain heavier than a light drizzle. As far as we can see, it leaks along the seams and zips - what we need to know is, is this normal (I strongly suspect not!!!) and have others had similar problems?
Needless to say our dealer was less than helpful when we called to say our awning was leaking - he said Isabella awnings don't leak and it must be condensation........ funny that condensation always seems to occur during heavy rain when we have not used the awning - we have been sat warm and dry in the van . The first time we noticed the leaking was after we had arrived on site and set it up in the dry - 5 minutes later there was a downpour and drips appeared! No time for condensation to build up.
We are, as you would imagine, extremely disappointed. Picture below of our table with puddles on it - carpet and shoes also soaked. Have had to move anything that may get ruined by damp back into the van
Post last edited on 25/06/2011 09:57:29
------------- 2012
March - Woodovis, Devon
April - Trewethett, Tintagel
April - Santander - no caravan
May - The Willows, Abersoch
June - Killegruer, Mull of Kintyre
August - Gwithian Farm, Cornwall
September - TBC
October - TBC
No its not normal take the pictures and show the dealer .I wouldn't and didn't accept it from my cheap pyramid awning dealer was great and exchanged for a better awning .
Only place we get condensation is on the windows of the awning.
Good luck at getting it replaced.
No its not normal take the pictures and show the dealer .I wouldn't and didn't accept it from my cheap pyramid awning dealer was great and exchanged for a better awning .
Only place we get condensation is on the windows of the awning.
Good luck at getting it replaced.
Your awning should not leak.i would take it back as its not fit for the purpose under the goods act.If you are not pleased with the dealer and he is no help,get in touch with the manufacturer and tell them your not please with the awning and the dealership who sold you it..
No, it's been out on several other wet trips- we only noticed the leaking last time out though and it seems to have got worse.
------------- 2012
March - Woodovis, Devon
April - Trewethett, Tintagel
April - Santander - no caravan
May - The Willows, Abersoch
June - Killegruer, Mull of Kintyre
August - Gwithian Farm, Cornwall
September - TBC
October - TBC
We have an Isabella - full and porch awning and we have never had a problem with leaks. Contact the dealer, if you get no joy, contact Isabella direct, in our experience their customer services are really good. Tel: 01844 20 20 99
It is normal for the 'holes' made by the sewing machine needle, along the seams and zips to leak initially. However, after having been soaked, these holes should tighten up, leaving the awning fully waterproof from thereon.
We have had 3 Isabella's to date and I have to say none of them have leaked at any stage, even when new.
The Magnum Concept is a new fabric technology isn't it? I think if I were you I would speak to Isabella about it - they are very good on customer service. Then, if Isabella agree that there is an issue, I would go back to where you bought it as the buck rests with them - and tell them what Isabella have said about it.
It could be that there is a batch of faulty ones - made with the wrong size needle for example. Only Isabella would be able to recognise this.
We've got a 2nd hand isabella (approx 5 yrs old) and noticed it had leaked slightly last week but it was only a couple of drops on the awning rail after a deluge of rain so no biggie.
Like others have said awnings do usually leak the first time or two they get rained on but nothing like what your pictures show, as for condensation I've never known an isabella suffer from it.
Dealers hate having awnings returned as they can't just repair them & send them back like caravans so stick to your guns & demand a refund/replacement.
We've had a few awnings, never had a leak on one, it's definately not acceptable for the materiel to let water through. I can only suspect that Issabella have had a faulty batch of material, especially if it is comming in all over the place.
I can see how it might come in around the zips, if the wind blows the water up under the flaps, but not dripping through the material.
Never heard of a isabelle awning to leak, first of all, have you used a awning tentioner since you bought it? I see you are using fibre poles so you can't get as much tension on the awning as you can using steel poles, get hold off a awning tensioner and tighten the thing up, have all the panel zipped up halfway, if you can wet the awning before you tightened the awning. Once you have tightend
the awng, zip all the penals back up, becarefull if the zips are hard to zip up, This will tighten up the matarail, do this a few times when you are away, The zips want spraying with water proofer for zips, that's IF they leak once you have done what I have asked. Dan at issabella will advise you to do the same. Sorry am on the iPhone typing, my awning is in the picture topic,
If you look at my gallery, you can play a tune on mine, it's that tight,
01844 202099 Dan is the guy to speak too
Post last edited on 25/06/2011 21:28:27
Post last edited on 25/06/2011 21:30:44
Post last edited on 25/06/2011 21:34:28
Post last edited on 25/06/2011 21:36:41
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
Many thanks to all for your responses - very much appreciated. We have called the dealer again and will be taking it back to them when we return from our hols. We'll let you know how we get on!
------------- 2012
March - Woodovis, Devon
April - Trewethett, Tintagel
April - Santander - no caravan
May - The Willows, Abersoch
June - Killegruer, Mull of Kintyre
August - Gwithian Farm, Cornwall
September - TBC
October - TBC
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 26/6/2011
Would you like to edit again Bill for old times sake.
Lol bloody hard work jeff on a iPhone & no specs on, how ya doing?
Am working on the new house at the mo, that's why I haven't been on the pc, hope to move nextweek, then stright down to the van for a nice rest, nathen, made it. Didn't edit. Lol
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Leaking Isabella Awning
