Any recomendations on the best Porch Awning 390 size?
we have looked at the Sunncamp, Wessex, Towsure,Kampa, all look good the wessex seems to be very strong and a good depth, any help in choosing will be great
After a lot of looking this year we finally opted for the Kampa Rally 390. Its very easy to put up and with the adjustable legs is handy if the ground is uneven. I would suggest getting the rear up right poles, monsoon poles and storm straps though as without these we found it hard to get a good seal against the van and got puddles of water on the roof. The only thing I would say about these lightweight awnings is they aren't really great for winter vaning due to the condensation build up. We were away last week when the temp dropped low for the 1st time and found a lot of moisture build up on the inside roof. Other than this we used it from May to September this year and had no problems with it. The new "pro" version looks good and as its a thicker material might be better for winter use but as it was £150 more and a bit heavier we went for the normal one.
I bought the Sunncamp Encore 390 (which is now badged as the Mira) about two years ago after originally looking for the Kampa rally 390. I almost bought the Kampa, but it was only due to being out of stock I started to look at the Sunncamp Encore 390 again. I then change my mind and bought the encore.
There were a couple of things that did this, firstly as I really thought about usage, the Kampa has a door on the side but its only small (but it did have flyscreen). On testing I found I had to zip twice to open due the flyscreen which I thought would get on my wick. Plus on site I tend to use the side more and liked the fact that I could zip out the whole side on the encore but not on the Kampa (you can on the 350 but not the 390), especially as the gas point on the van tends to be at the front, so having it open leading to the barbecue was me appealing to me. I also did like the covered front porch if not zipping out the side (although I have been on a site which meant I had to use the side as the door, which was not a problem).
The second was the fact that the encore (& Mira) came with the annexe. On the new Kampa Pro I believe it now comes withe the extension but I am not clear if it can go on either end (only seen it on the front which would hinder access to the BBQ point on my van).
The annexe, rear poles and roof poles are all in the price of the encore which is roughly the same price as the K390, so you would have to pay extra for the Kampa rear poles and roof poles, not a lot but added expense.
With the Encore I also got a skirt for the bottom of the van, which again I think is extra with the Kampa.
Material wise I believe the spec is the same, 350D. Feeling them both I cant feel a difference. I also have a Sunncamp Swift porch for weekends and that is a lower spec material that you can feel the difference with, but for weekends its fab.
So you may end paying more for the kampa in the long run, but as for a 390 porch the Kampa or Sunncamp are both excellent buys. Just think about how you would use it on site and which doors you most likely to use and does that tick your boxes.
PMC thanks for the info funny enough I 1st started looking at the sunncamp but then we saw other models still fancy the sunncamp and will wait untill our local dealer returns to errect them in a local garden centre I think once we see them up we will be able to make that choice, We have been used to an Bradcot active 930 but just fancy a lightweight awning, due to changing the caravan I need to buy a new awning and hopefully find someone who wants to buy the Bradcot with annex.
What are the 260 porch awnings like?
been looking at towsure 260's on net and you can get them for just over £100.
are they easy to put up?
do they rub on caravan?
etc.
Just had a look on the Kampa website at the inflatable awnings and they look really good. I was thinking about one for me and OH as he is disabled and we do struggle to put up our porch awning. Then I saw the prices 'wow' is it me or does anyone else think they are expensive. It maybe because they are a relatively new inovation and prices may reduce in time. I can live in hope.
Twurly
------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option!
I have owned all 3 brands, started with the Sunncamp then the Towsure and finally on the Kampa which in my opinion is the best of the lot. The adjustable legs are a godsend and an aid to getting a decent seal against the van when on uneven ground (I owned the Sunncamp and Towsures own a couple of years ago so maybe they are doing adjustable legs now also).This is our 3rd year with the Kampa and its still going strong. Condensation is a small issue as we also had this with the other 2 brands but we dont think its a major issue as no-one sleeps in the awning, we just use it for shoes, dog feeding etc.I would try and see all 3 erected and have a feel of the material and examine the zips etc then pick what 'you' consider to be the best for your needs.
Got our 260 from preloved website for £50 only used twice, it is a Towsure 260 and fits well against the van, really easy to put up and does not seem to rub, if any awning is put up I always use Threadpegs (Yellow/Orange) plastic I use a drill and it take minutes and are easy to remove just reverse the drill,None of this hammering in pegs! If you anchor the awning well it will not move
There is a lot more useable room in the Kampa Rally due to its boxy front shape giving extra head room compaired to some of its more rounded rivals, we have both a 260 and a 390, both are excellent quality and we are very pleased with them.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
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Topic: Porch Awnings
I was thinking about one for me and OH as he is disabled and we do struggle to put up our porch awning. 
Then I saw the prices 'wow' is it me or does anyone else think they are expensive. It maybe because they are a relatively new inovation and prices may reduce in time. I can live in hope.
