I have recently bought a Coachman Pastiche 4 berth caravan(2002). I have a size 14 Dorema awning but I really need a porch awning for short weekend trips. Suggestions please.
Well we're just looking into buying a porch awning too since our full size Dorema is just proving to be too much faffing these days and I'm not really physically able to hang on to the middle poles as I should be while hubby fixes the rest in place. I've literally taken off on more than one occasion whilst setting it up. Human kite or what lol
The porch awning we quite fancy because we've seen it whilst away on our annual hols recently, is the Kampa Rally Pro 2015 model which seems to be the right size to fit without cutting across any windows. We'll have to go for the 330cm size.
It also comes in a 260 and 390 size and if you need one larger there's the Kampa Rally Ace 400 which also comes with curtains. I'm guessing since your current awning is a size 14 you'll probably need at least the 390 if not the 400.
The Kampa Rally series looks to being quite substantial in windy weather, (witnessed with our own eyes),and you can invest in storm straps to fix to the attachments already in place, (we'll definitely be going for those lol) and the 2015 model comes with curtains plus the addition of 2 zip out side panels too.
The one thing you need to do is measure the distance between where you need it to fit making sure that your awning rails height is sufficient for the one you want. We thought the next size up would suit us and give us more room, having been always used to full size awnings for over 25 years, but our awning rail height was less where the awning would've have needed to go so wouldn't be suitable.
We're quite looking forward to getting a porch awning so it's less hassle for hubby to get up and down quicker and easier. Trouble is, I've got to get him used the fact that it will involve some compromises on the amount of equipment we've been used to having in our awning with this being considerably shorter albeit the same depth as our Dorema lol
Good luck with your shopping. I can't wait to get ours so that we can have a few days away just to try it out lol We don't get away very often......
Some porch awnings are really easy to put up. The lightweight ones with just 3 poles can be put up in minutes.
You really need to go to a large camping shop to see them erected. - Be careful - some are just a awkward as full size ones.
We have recently bought the Kampa Air 390. A friend of ours has one and I was impressed with it - You can get one for about £625 on the web.
We just bought the Kampa Fiesta Air Pro 280, I preferred the shape to the Rally.
The material is good quality and it's unbelievably easy to inflate and deflate.
Expensive but we love it.
I would always recommend the Kampa Pro series or the Rally Ace, we have a Pro 200 for the winter months and a 400 ace for the spring and summer months when we have other people with us or just prefer to have more space.
If I were you I'd think about an air awning and get an electric pump for it.
Ours is up in under 10 minutes and is easily the best one we've ever had.
Its a 390 sized one made by Prestina and I was amazed at the quality for a mere £379 - the material is not dissimilar to the Kampa one and the price tag much more appealing.
The pump we use is a marine one designed for blowing up dingies and we got that on fleabay brand new for 60quid. I've wired a suitable cable across the leisure battery to power it. Simples*
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.