After having 11 days away in the van with the in laws (not in same van may I add) we have been out and bought a full awning instead of using a porch awning. OH had said he didnt want a big awning as he couldnt be bothered to put one up, however after seeing his mams van and awning changed his mind. I must admit I wasnt all that bothered about a full awning but after using the inlaws it was much warmer and roomier than our porch. Every night was spent having an alcoholic beverage in theirs and only used ours for the dog and as a giant clothes airer
We put our porch awning on first and it was extremely windy so ended up having to put it properly the next day when the wind had died down. When we put the full awning up it was so much easier I was quite suprised. The only thing was we couldnt get it really tight but was so much better IMO
yeah littlejack i was bothered about that at first but then I thought, we used to have to put our 10 man kalahari up when we got home if it had been raining so drying the awning isnt goin to be much different (I hope) lol
There is little difference between putting up a full awning and a porch except the full awnings bigger. The only things i hate about awnings is that you have to watch out for rain when packing up and it is one more chore to do putting it up and taking it down...just get a bigger van like i did
Jeffjuke I hope OH doesnt read this or he will tell me I told you so lol. He wanted a twin axle but that would have meant buying a new car aswell as caravan but I put my foot down
we agree with jeff due to wifes dissabilities a full awning is out of question for me to put up, so we got a bit bigger van and a kampa rally 260 porch up in no time sorted.
------------- Live Each Day Like Its Your Last, One Day Youll Be Right
I find a full awning easy enough to put up. It's a lot easier than my old tent, an Aztec Palacio 6. If it is wet when it's time to take it down, I just roll it up and stuff it in the washroom and dry it out when I get home.
We only use the full awning if we are away for a week or more, the porch for shorter stays and sometimes don't bother with anything if the weather is nice.
We had both but found that we just stopped using the full awning so we sold it. The Porch awning we have sits four around a table comfortably when the sons are with us but its usually just the two of us + dog, with ample space. As they come in various sizes maybe look at the larger porch ones if a full awning might seem too much. The Porch takes up less space in the car, and weighs less which is quite beneficial
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
Quote: Originally posted by angelmikey on 23/8/2011
yeah littlejack i was bothered about that at first but then I thought, we used to have to put our 10 man kalahari up when we got home if it had been raining so drying the awning isnt goin to be much different (I hope) lol
Yes but thats the whole reason I persuaded DH to move away from a tent No more panic about weather and dryinh out
Quote: Originally posted by angelmikey on 23/8/2011
yeah littlejack i was bothered about that at first but then I thought, we used to have to put our 10 man kalahari up when we got home if it had been raining so drying the awning isnt goin to be much different (I hope) lol
Yes but thats the whole reason I persuaded DH to move away from a tent No more panic about weather and dryinh out
Exactly the sun always shines on an awning attached to a van. Never packed a wet awning ever (well not yet anyway). Always check the weather and generally take it down the day before we leave, whilst it is dry. Only the once have I taken it down two days before we leave. Now, you just can't do that with a tent.
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
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Topic: must stop buying :)
) we have been out and bought a full awning instead of using a porch awning. OH had said he didnt want a big awning as he couldnt be bothered to put one up, however after seeing his mams van and awning changed his mind. I must admit I wasnt all that bothered about a full awning but after using the inlaws it was much warmer and roomier than our porch. Every night was spent having an alcoholic beverage in theirs and only used ours for the dog and as a giant clothes airer 
The only things i hate about awnings is that you have to watch out for rain when packing up and it is one more chore to do putting it up and taking it down...just get a bigger van like i did 
