Hi all,
I've been looking at getting an inflatable awning for my Freedom Caravan. I think I may have to settle on a drive-away awning as the awning rail on the Freedom (height 225cm) is a bit low for most "standard" awnings.
I was wondering if anyone has an experience fitting one as I'm a bit concerned about the width of this type of awning may be too big.
I had the same problem when looking for an awning for my caravan which has a rail height of 220cm and a body length of just 9' 6".
I bought the Outdoor Revolution Touring XLS which has a 2 berth sleeping pod attached to the awning.
Mine has poles and fits my van very well but if you want an inflatable awning, OR do the Movelite Oxygen range which will fit your van.
Thanks Helen for the info,
I decided to bite the bullet and bought a Kampa Mini Air Awning. It measured 290cm wide (most of the air awning measure 300cm - and I think the extra 10cm would have caused me issues). Anyway I tried it out last weekend end it fits well. It even comes with an optional inner tent, useful in my small caravan!
Simon
your only 10 cms short, cant you just make sure that when you start levelling the caravan that both sides are raised already by 10cms blocks? that is about the height of the top of a normal ramp I think
Just a quick update. I went for the Kampa Mini Air in the end and it fits pretty well. I've only used it once but it did the job (bit of flapping in the wind, but nothing too major). Thanks for the advice Kazo, I plan to give the blocks a go next time to give me an extra 10cm.
Quote: Originally posted by Metconnection on 22/6/2015
Just a quick update. I went for the Kampa Mini Air in the end and it fits pretty well. I've only used it once but it did the job (bit of flapping in the wind, but nothing too major). Thanks for the advice Kazo, I plan to give the blocks a go next time to give me an extra 10cm.
Out of interest Metconnection - how did this go? Contemplating an inflatable awning for my little freedom. Thanks, Lynne
Can you tell me please what model Kampa Mini Air you've got. Sounds ideal and I've been looking for something for my Freedom and the only one I can find close to your description is the drive away 'stand alone awning. Is this the same?
Particularly want an inflatable but they are either too wide and also very expensive!
The awning is large but easy to put up. This one is 10cm narrower than the Vango equivalent and that is important (I think!). I'm still working out exactly how best to pitch it. I had a chat with someone online who gave me a few suggestions about positioning, but its a pretty good fit.
There is also an options inner tent (that I bought) which is useful when you need more space.
There is also a nice Facebook page:
Freedom Caravan Owners
that has photos of another few options. Most appear to try Porch awnings. I also had one of these but the rail on the Freedom was too low (don't be fooled, 10cm makes all the difference)
Thanks for getting back Simon. I'll have a look at all those suggestions, thank you very much. Just getting our Little Gertie spruced up, trying to find a storage home for her, and then we are off on our first ever caravan trip, although god knows where yet. Tried to put up the awning that she came with and we gave up and put it back in the shed, so the inflatable may be the way to go.
Thanks again
Lynne
Thanks Simon. Will look into the possibilities this week.
I still have an awning which came with an earlier Freedom Prima (which still remains in my garage)but found that it doesn't go far enough down the awning rail with the newer lighting arrangement on the back of the Freedom. Other than a slightly worn edge to the tracking it's in good order. I've been using a heavy canvas Apache Rimini drive away awning which does the job very well but getting too old to struggle with it! So the inflatables seems to be the way forward.
Brand new for 2018 is a Kampa air mini awning specifically designed for low rail height small caravans and pop tops. Its so new that some dealers may not of heard of them yet, but there is one featured in the latest Kampa brochures and a demo on Youtube.
These are fixed porch awnings and not the drive away type.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Thanks for the heads up Julia, I have used the Kampa Mini Air for a few years now and its great. It does flap a bit in the wind though (as its a drive-away).
These new Kampa awnings - were you thinking of the Eriba ones? They look great, just not sure whether they'll fit as I assume the awning rail needs to be flat? Keen to hear if anyone has got one!
They are not just specific to Eriba, hence they will fit onto several Pop top models too, and any make of caravan with a low awning rail.
Im useless at posting up links, but l came aross them whilst trawling through Air awning posts on Youtube a couple of months ago, with full start to finish instructions captured plus a tour of the finished product when pitched.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
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: Freedom caravan inflatable awning
