We are still deciding which lightweight porch awning to go for, with our 'new to us' Elddis Shamal XL.
I had almost decided on the Sunncamp Ultima 260, when I saw the Kampa Fiesta. I love the idea that we can buy an annexe for it, which will be so much use, plus it wont take away from the main area.
I just wondered whether anyone owns one, and how they would rate it ?
Hi I have the Kampa Fiesta with extension i is great lightweight quick to put up my only bug bear with it is the front pole is a big metal pole in a u shape bit difficult if you are on your own takes about 15mins from start to finish putting the last peg in material is really thick i brought the additional poles to keep the back against the caravan had lots of winds did not move any more questions dont mind answering
samandbensmum
------------- Easter: Forest Edge
May Bank Holiday: Southbourne
May Half Term: Verwood
August: Setthorns New Forest
August Bank Holiday: Arundel
and many weekends in between
Quote: Originally posted by samandbensmum on 05/6/2009
Hi I have the Kampa Fiesta with extension i is great lightweight quick to put up my only bug bear with it is the front pole is a big metal pole in a u shape bit difficult if you are on your own takes about 15mins from start to finish putting the last peg in material is really thick i brought the additional poles to keep the back against the caravan had lots of winds did not move any more questions dont mind answering
samandbensmum
Cheers for that, have been seriously thinking about this awning.
My question concerns the roof poles - how do they attach to the van?, are they a reasonable diameter?, and is there any chance of them coming adrift and damaging the wall of the caravan?
The last question is the most important to me - I have a Spacelite, which I like because it has no roof poles. On the other hand, the Spacelite can be saggy, and the material is a bit thin.
Thanks
------------- 'If it ain't broke, don't worry - it soon will be'
Hi the poles are standard awning size ones there is three roof poles that go into these then on the front goes onto the u shape pole with wing nuts the quick release pads attach to the awning itself and beleive me they do not move as long as you dont drop the pole i cant see it being able to damage the caravan the roof is also held very taught as you can adjust the roof poles so no water collects on the top it took me and hubby thirty minutes to put up the first time and now only fifteen its great because the front and sides can come out and i leave the annex attached when packing up which saves more time. its a great size and the quality of the material is really good and thick better than my outwell tent i had i wold recommend the extra poles for the back which hold it against the caravan they go into a small pocket at the top of the awning and then are tied and have a big foam pad so again cannot damage the van the only other thing is the colour i got the blue one which i find a really nice colour but it is darker then the pictures on the net i brought it when it first came into this country and the listing stated it goes into a bag on the side of the van it does not do this i dont no if the listings have been amended
samandbensmum
------------- Easter: Forest Edge
May Bank Holiday: Southbourne
May Half Term: Verwood
August: Setthorns New Forest
August Bank Holiday: Arundel
and many weekends in between
Quote: Originally posted by samandbensmum on 05/6/2009
Hi the poles are standard awning size ones there is three roof poles that go into these then on the front goes onto the u shape pole with wing nuts the quick release pads attach to the awning itself and beleive me they do not move as long as you dont drop the pole i cant see it being able to damage the caravan the roof is also held very taught as you can adjust the roof poles so no water collects on the top it took me and hubby thirty minutes to put up the first time and now only fifteen its great because the front and sides can come out and i leave the annex attached when packing up which saves more time. its a great size and the quality of the material is really good and thick better than my outwell tent i had i wold recommend the extra poles for the back which hold it against the caravan they go into a small pocket at the top of the awning and then are tied and have a big foam pad so again cannot damage the van the only other thing is the colour i got the blue one which i find a really nice colour but it is darker then the pictures on the net i brought it when it first came into this country and the listing stated it goes into a bag on the side of the van it does not do this i dont no if the listings have been amended
samandbensmum
Thanks for the info - that helps allay my worry about the roof poles. I rather fancy the thicker material as well, the Spacelite is very good in general - but the fabric is rather thin and flimsy.
------------- 'If it ain't broke, don't worry - it soon will be'
For anyone trying to find reviews of this awning on this site, I just wanted to throw my twopenneth in. I used mine for the first time this past weekend (1st W/E in August) and I am delighted with it. I bought an annexe and awning package deal (£330, Roundstone Caravans) and bought the rear pole set also.
It was a doddle to put up and although I haven't tried it yet Im sure I'm going to be able to do it on my own. As previously mentioned the big "U Tube" at the front will be the tricky bit. The space, once up, feels cavernous. It comes with the rubber ladders for pegging out and plenty of illuminous yellow guy (guide?) ropes (bear these in mind when on a site with small pitches). The annexe was occupied by my friend, sleeping on a double Aerobed Active, which just squeezed in. There was a full flynet as well as a privacy screen to zip up if needed.
On the Saturday it poured down for about 5 hours solid. The material used in manufacture has a rating of 4000. I think they call that figure hydrostatic head and basically relates to waterproofness (?). It does feel thicker than any of the tents I have owned. The awning did leak. Nothing torrential, just a few drips, and only on a couple of seams. I'll deal with that with a fabric sealant.
I'm thinking that this is a great solution for leaving a bed made up (making the bed in my van is a chore) whilst at the same time doubling my living space. Kerching! Seeing as this will take an annexe either side, I might buy a second one for when i have guests, making my outfit a potential 9 berth! PARTY!
Marks out of 10? I'm going to go for, after only one weekend, 8.
2 marks are lost for:
A: Needing to be sealed before I use it again (this might just be mine and is a simple enough job.
B: The rear pole set might foul a window. This would then negate its use as it would go flush to the window and not the caravan side, a gap of about an inch. The poles aren't essential but I would recommend them.
I found it difficult to find independant info on the Kampa Fiesta (even though the dealership told me they had sold loads) so I hope this helps. Oh and one more thing in these financial times of ours, I believe it to be a British product and the company headquarters are in Essex.
Quote: Originally posted by Osprey on 08/8/2009
On the Saturday it poured down for about 5 hours solid. The material used in manufacture has a rating of 4000. I think they call that figure hydrostatic head and basically relates to waterproofness (?). It does feel thicker than any of the tents I have owned. The awning did leak. Nothing torrential, just a few drips, and only on a couple of seams. I'll deal with that with a fabric sealant.
We used a new porch awning for the 1st time week before last when it rained torrentially. The awning leaked along some of the seams & I was annoyed - we paid for a good quality one.
We were speaking to someone in a camping store who said not to worry - they do tend to leak a bit the first 2-3 times they're out in heavy rain but then the cotton (or whatever they're sewn with) expands to seal them & you shouldn't have any problems afterwards.
Sure enough, later on in the week (after being soaked a couple of times already) there was heavy rain overnight & the following day & hey presto, no leaks!
Thanks very much for that little nugget of advice. I'm going to France and Spain in a fortnight, for a fortnight so i might just leave it be and see what happens. One less job to do on the holiday checklist.
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Topic: Kampa Fiesta - anyone got one ?
