Hi there - wonder if you can help. We have a fab full isabella awning for summer/warm trips but it is impossible to heat in colder weather as it is so big. Due to mother-in-law being in care home and no longer able to accommodate us when we visit we are going to keep the 'van near her and use it all year round for weekends and school holidays.
We are therefore looking for a sturdy yet quick/easy to erect porch awning.
First question - would 250cm x 260cm be big enough for a small table and 4 chairs? That's all we need in the awning.
Would it be possible to take the chill off in a porch awning this size so we can sit in it comfortably? We have a convector heater which makes little difference in the full awning.
I have done some research and it seems to come down to 3 - Isabella minor - pricey and probably too small at 200cm
Kampa Rally 260 looks a possibility - do the straight poles make much difference in space?
Sunncamp Ultima 260 in acrylic - does it make a difference to have acrylic rather than tent fabric?
hi Lindsay, we just sold an Isabella Minor, after using it for one weekend (luckily we bought second hand and managed to get back what we paid) we quickly realised it wasnt big enough for four of us to sit and eat in. I've just bought a Kampa Rally 260 (again second hand) which should arrive tommorrow and we're taking it away with us this weekend. The Isabella was wide enough but not deep enough and I'm hoping the extra depth of the Kampa will work for us. Will let you know how we get on and take some pics of it in use to give you an idea what can be fitted in.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
Hi we have a Sunncamp ultima 260 and its a good size for a table and chairs and we used a heater in it and it got really warm so not all the heat escaped down the sides :) We just bought a Kampa Rally 390 because we wanted the extra room to put a bedroom in and still have room for a table and chairs otherwise we would have been really happy with it .
We're happy with our Kampa Rally 260 and although we don't have a table in it there is plenty of space for 4 chairs plus dog bed, wet coats, boogie board etc etc etc! We use a small electric heater on chilly nights and it is fine. I haven't used any other awning to compare - but you can utilise the whole awning footprint as the poles don't curve.
We have an early version and there are a few small design faults (e.g. can't attach storm straps to our version, no eyelets to peg down mudflaps) - but I think some of them have been fixed in the later versions - so worth checking what version you are getting if you think you are getting a bargain. The 'optional' rear poles are essential to get a good seal. Easy to put up & has stood up to a highland summer!
Thanks to replies so far - pleased to eliminate Isabella minor as it sounds too small for 4 of us and it is expensive(!) and definitely leaning towards the Kampa - I need to go and stand inside one and see all the bits - not sure where I can do that - Camping International in Gillingham doesn't seem to stock Kampa - I'll keep investigating!
Take a look at the Kampa Fiesta for a roomy, stable and quick/easy to erect awning. It comes in two sizes: 270cm and 350cm lengths across the van. They both come out from the van 250cm. Have a look at my gallery images - the top two pictures - ours is a 350cm and is quite roomy. The best lightweight we've had, by far.
Porch awnings do not seal to the 'van as full awnings do and are therefore impossible to keep warm. We have the Isabella Minor which seals better than the Bradcot Portico XL that we had previously.
Isabella do a bigger porch than the Minor so that may be worth a look. Of course, if the porch awning 'lays' over a window then the awning doesn't seal at all!
Quote: Originally posted by Lassie on 06/7/2011
Porch awnings do not seal to the 'van as full awnings do and are therefore impossible to keep warm.
This is particularly so in the winter. I heater will do little more than tank the edge off when it's really cold. We only very rarely use a heater in the awning - usually when we get together in the awning with friends. Hardly ever consider this in the late autumn/winter.
Im sorry , I disagree ,you must be using the wrong heater . We have camped over new year with snow on the ground and out Sunncamp porch awning was toasty with just a little fan heater in there ,I would have my dogs in a cold awning .
Cant comment on the Kampa ,as we havent used it yet ,im hoping it will be the same ?
We have an Outdoor Revolution Compactalite. It has pads to seal up against the van and extra roof poles for extra stability and its 5000hh. Its brill. They have been upgraded for this year so are much better than the old ones. Cheaper than a Kampa too. Plenty of room we have 2 tables 2 chairs microwave laundry basket dog cage and other crap in ours and its only the smallest size. I would get the 325 tho if I was buying again, simply as one of the padded poles that buff it up against the van is covering our back window slightly. Mine was cheap off ebay brand new with the extra poles thrown in free!!
------------- Jan:Braids Gretna, Feb Stanwix Park Silloth & Braids Gretna,
Quote: Originally posted by skiTTish on 06/7/2011
Im sorry , I disagree ,you must be using the wrong heater . We have camped over new year with snow on the ground and out Sunncamp porch awning was toasty with just a little fan heater in there ,I would have my dogs in a cold awning .
Cant comment on the Kampa ,as we havent used it yet ,im hoping it will be the same ?
Post last edited on 06/07/2011 11:56:09
Our heater is an Outwell 'M' heater which have had some really good write-ups on here. I think probably the reality of the situation is that we have not really given it a good 'extended' go in the winter, as I hinted at in my first post, preferring to sit in the warmth of the van. We tent to migrate to the awning in the Spring, at which time the heater does an excellent job in the cooler evenings, when we have sat out with friends. To be honest, I wouldn't have thought the heat retention in an awning would be much different if you compare one lightweights with another lightweight of the same size. It may make a difference if you compare a lightweight with a non-lighweight though. Perhaps someone will be along soon who has had experience of comparing lightweight and non-lightweight of the same size. We have used the Outwell 'M' in our smaller lightweight and full traditional awning and find it is good in both - I don't think I've really noticed if one is appreciably better than the other?? There may be too many variables to judge.
Well - yes - but we have a dog and it is good to have some extra space. Also - much as I LOVE our adria van - the double bed is a tad frustrating to put away and assemble - think krypton factor and I have to admit that the seating is not the comfiest anyway - so - we are lazy and leave it down. Hands up. We could eat at the dinette but would be a squeeze for four and just like to sit outside while the boys sleep - don't mind having jackets on - each to their own I suppose! Thanks for all the replies - going to Camping International today to check some out.
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: Best porch awning?
We tent to migrate to the awning in the Spring, at which time the heater does an excellent job in the cooler evenings, when we have sat out with friends. To be honest, I wouldn't have thought the heat retention in an awning would be much different if you compare one lightweights with another lightweight of the same size. It may make a difference if you compare a lightweight with a non-lighweight though. Perhaps someone will be along soon who has had experience of comparing lightweight and non-lightweight of the same size. We have used the Outwell 'M' in our smaller lightweight and full traditional awning and find it is good in both - I don't think I've really noticed if one is appreciably better than the other?? 
There may be too many variables to judge.
