Ive found an awning which I really like. I’m looking at the Dorema Starcamp quick n easy 265 inflatable. It says suitable for 230 to 250 cm van height. According to the specs for my van, it’s 253cm high. Is the extra 3cm likely to be an issue? It’s to go with a 2009 Lunar Zenith EB. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
Remember that with an air awning on sloping ground, you can never get it sitting right as you cannot adjust the legs. With a poled awning this is not a problem as you adjust the legs.
I bought a Dometic Rally 200 Pro, poled version. After watching a YouTube vid of how easy it is to set up I decided on poled. The air version is about £350 more. Also, I don’t have a lot of luck with inflatable stuff… leaky air beds and constant punctures when I used to ride a bike!
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 14/2/2022
Remember that with an air awning on sloping ground, you can never get it sitting right as you cannot adjust the legs. With a poled awning this is not a problem as you adjust the legs.
With the design of this particular awning where the airbeam meets the ground midway along the sides, I suspect it accommodates uneven ground better than types with a airbeam at the corners. But as to the worth of an airbeam ...
With regard to your first choice Dorema Starcamp quick n easy 265 inflatable, I've got the near identical Sunncamp poled version, and personally I wouldn't bother with an airbeam version with the disadvantages of heavier weight, risk of airbeam problems and faffing with pumps, the single pole (GF flexi across roof and adjustable steel down sides) is so simple to deal with and quick to fit, there is no real advantage in the far more expensive airbeam version.
Have to say, my Sunncamp is a lightweight flysheet material and I may have preferred a heavier weight if it was my only awning for more year round use, also, being a bit budget, it lacks air vents above side doors at the apex near caravan attachment, which I find a great benefit in my other bigger awning, seems to control condensation better and keeps awning cooler in sunny conditions.
I'm a big fan of my bigger Kampa airbeam awning, because I have to erect it on my own and would no doubt struggle with a mass of poles, but that single 'hoop' design awning (available from multiple brands and in different sizes) is so simple to erect, I see no problem with poles and a lot of advantages over airbeams.
Although your choice of an air awning is a wise one being single beam, in addition to the points raised by Monty here is a video that you may find interesting. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGibcUJBWew
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 14/2/2022
Although your choice of an air awning is a wise one being single beam, in addition to the points raised by Monty here is a video that you may find interesting. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGibcUJBWew
Bit off topic now, but in response to the video and the weight dragging the air awning back down the rail if single handed is easily overcome by using the Kampa (Dometic) style pulley system (I made my own version for a few quid), assuming you have or can make suitable attachment eye in the end of the bead strip. Works really well for me with my usually lone efforts.
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Topic: Awning height rating
via mobile 13/2/2022 at 5:33pm
