When we bought our caravan as part of the dealer start up pack we got a new full awning - its a pyramid something- we havent even opened the box. We have done two weekends away so far and I think that most of our getaways will be for weekends and possibly one week a year.
When we have camped previously I hated putting up the tent and dont want to get that way about an awning. I'm not sure it seems worth it for such short times away. I noticed this weekend that a lot of vans didn't have an awning (this seems unusual) however both times we have been away we have had nice weather - so have I been mislead into thinking its not necessary.
So what do you use them for. Is it worth it for short trips. Should I sell mine or will there come a time I want it.
I did notice this weekend some vans had lovely gazebos instead (the sturdy type that you can put sides on) this seems more tempting to me. I'd appreciate your views please
I think you should keep a hold of it so as its always there if you need it.They can be a pain putting them up and down and also if it rains you have got to dry it.Great for xtra space but when i had ours like i said i was always looking out for rain when i had to take it down.
We used to put ours up every time we went away but now only do it for 4+ nights and have got a caravanstore canopy for the weekends.
If you aren't using it but are worried you MAY want one you could always sell yours as it's brand new for a good price then buy a cheaper 2nd hand one and make a few ££££
Agree, for weekends away never use a full awning, however when weather not so nice or if you use all-year a porch awning can be useful, depending on the model can be quick and easy to put up. You may find a used one in the adverts on here.
We started without any, first got a sun shade with sides, bought a full awning after our first "summer" holiday and a porch shortly after for reasons above.
We have two porch awnings. One takes about 20 minutes to erect (Starcamp) and the other about an hour (tops) (Compactalite). For weekends, if we are to use an awning we take the 20minute one. Longer holidays and its the hour one as it is sturdier, more robust and, well, just looks a whole better.
Weekends tend to be over in North Yorkshire visiting our son so the awning is beneficial for dinners and just lounging around. We are away this week in the Lakes and, en route, stopping off at Ingleton for a couple of days. I will not be putting the awning up for those few days. Just too much hassle for a couple of days.
So, it really depends on what you want out of an awning.
Reasons:-
Having a dry area to hang your wet clothes after a long hike
Somewhere dry to clean the dog after a walk
Sheltered spot for sitting and reading the paper - don't you find the sun just glares off the peper if you sit in direct sunlight and makes it hard to read...or is that an age thing?
Eating al fresco
extra storage
extra living space...it can be a bit "on top of each other" in any caravan.
Extra privacy
Generally, it depends what you want out of a caravan holiday.
If your awning is a full one then that may be that is too much if there is just the two of you and perhaps a porch awning would be the way to go
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
We have always had a full awning, but have tried several "quicky" awnings for short breaks. Now, we tend to follow many of the continental campers' method and fit the awning without the front and sides. It is as quick as most methods, is secure if it gets windy and, if the weather turns really foul, the front and sides can be quickly fitted to give full shelter.
We only used ours once. It was too much like hard work, and was much too big for our needs. So now we have a porch awning for the UK (somewhere to keep wet/muddy shoes, drying towels) etc. And we are going to buy a sun canopy for good weather and abroad - something we can live outside under and just use the caravan for sleeping etc.
Ours was part of a dealers "bargain" offer, too. After advertising it in 4 different ways, we ended up selling it for virtually nothing.
We almost always use an awning. We like the extra space. Don't ever put up an awning for one night though. 2-6 nights usually the porch awning. A week or more the full awning goes up. Now we have a problem in a few weeks time. We are off for about 5 weeks, but our first night we are only stopping 4 nights. As we re only taking the large awning, do we put it up for 4 nights or should we do without? Veering towards putting it up at the moment.
The only disadvantage of having a sun-canopy-only set up is that, in the event of driving rain, which can still occur on a warm day when in France, your belongings have to be shifted up against the van side and you have to retire into the van. The facility to insert one end panel and only one of the front panels can give you fresh, open air comfort. Something like the Dorema Panorama sun canopy, or the Isabella Ventura, can take as much time to erect as the basic canopy of a conventional awning; with little difference weight-wise. And the full awning can be manipulated according to weather changes in a way that a sun canopy never can. During our recent 7 weeks in France, we did have some heavy rain on occasions and it stayed too warm in the van. Under these conditions, nothing less than the full awning would have been acceptable. Hence my earlier comment; we have learned from the continentals.
Once we're sorted we'll have a full awning for 4 nights or more (need the extra space they give). Then we'll keep our small, lightweight porch to use on shorter breaks - not necessarily for sitting in, more for hanging wet coats & leaving muddy shoes/boots when the weather's not so great rather than have to have them in the van.
Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 12/7/2011
The only disadvantage of having a sun-canopy-only set up is that, in the event of driving rain, which can still occur on a warm day when in France, your belongings have to be shifted up against the van side and you have to retire into the van. The facility to insert one end panel and only one of the front panels can give you fresh, open air comfort. Something like the Dorema Panorama sun canopy, or the Isabella Ventura, can take as much time to erect as the basic canopy of a conventional awning; with little difference weight-wise. And the full awning can be manipulated according to weather changes in a way that a sun canopy never can. During our recent 7 weeks in France, we did have some heavy rain on occasions and it stayed too warm in the van. Under these conditions, nothing less than the full awning would have been acceptable. Hence my earlier comment; we have learned from the continentals.
Bertie.
I wonder how many people use canopies? When I asked a question some time ago about what folk do about pegs when they take the panels out of an awning, the majority said they didn't take out the awning panels, preferring just to use a verandah pole. If fact, some went as far as saying they would never leave the awning panels out for any length of time because of the possibility of damage caused by inclement weather. Surely a canopy is less secure than a awning with the panels out.
Bertie - second thoughts, I think this deserves another thread, so wait just a minute....
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: Awnings
