Hi everyone I am a newbe to caravans. I have just bought my first van ,a bailey monach 2004. She is old but bone dry. I am looking for a awning for the van but don't know what size I need. I don't need a full size awning as only myself and my dog. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you in advance
Sorry just seen you don't want full size.
You will just need to measure to either include or exclude the windows as you don't want an end coming down over a window.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
If you don’t want a full awning, then search for Porch Awnings online and you will see a vast range of sizes from tiny ones that just provide a wee bit of shelter to the door area to quite big ones that are almost as big as some full awnings.
Look at the awning rail on your caravan and measure the straight bit before it starts to bend round the corners. This would be the largest size you could have your porch. If you want something smaller it is a matter of looking at the position of your windows so that the awning doesn’t come down the middle of a window. Work out where you would like to position the porch awning between windows and doors and measure that length.
We wanted a big porch so we bought an Isabella Magnum 400 which is perfect for us and almost as big as the full awning we had in our previous smaller caravan. The 400 means it is 400cm long.
If you are looking for something quick and lightweight then we also have a Sunncamp Swift 260 which we use for weekends when the weather is bad, just to store wet coats and boots. We wouldn’t sit or eat in it, it is mainly just for storage when we don’t want to put the big porch up. We only put up the big porch when we are staying for 5 nights or more.
Both of our awnings have poles. The magnum has a standard awning pole set up where the poles make a big rectangular frame and it is very stable but takes quite a while to put up. The Swift has a different pole system where there is one flexible and two rigid poles just at the front to create the arc shape and that is it. It is not so sturdy but great for putting up quickly.
You can also get air awnings where the poles inflate. These are more expensive. Some people love them, others don’t as they are usually a lot heavier than a poled awning to get the canvas through the awning rail. It is really a matter of personal preference.
Go on a website such as Glossop Awnings which have a massive range and narrow down your shortlist. Then try to find the ones you like near where you live to go and look at. Another good idea is to simply walk around a caravan site when you are away and look at what other people have got. If you see one you like, go and ask about it. In my experience, caravaners love to talk about their ‘kit’ and will be more than happy to tell you the pros and cons of their awnings.
Size of awning rather depends on what purpose you want to put it to. Sitting out/dining/socialising with others area, dumping place for wet coats/boots etc. and somewhere to dry dog off before letting in van, storage area for stuff you don't want/can't fit in the van, extra sleeping space (with an inner bedroom used), etc. I think for many of us they tend to get used for most all of the above in varying degrees.
Like you, I'm mostly one man and his dog when away in van, but times when friends tag along or visit and I do group rally events as well, so the awning gets put to a variety of uses (all of the above really plus has been a buffet area for the group gatherings!). Thing is, too small and you limit it's use, too big and you just waste money purchasing and time and effort erecting and taking down.
Big and oft overlooked factor, is awnings like tents can't be stored away wet (they go mouldy and get ruined), so you need space to dry it after a wet packup at end of stay (believe me it WILL happen!). Awnings tend not to be able to be erected on their own like a tent (needing the van to provide support), so if you don't have opportunity of drying it attached to van at home, you need space to drape over a clothes line, spread in garage/spare room etc. - that can dictate just how big an awning you can cope with!
Other factor to consider is size and weight when packed in holdall! Can you easily handle on your own, do you have space and weight capacity in car/caravan for transporting. The awning specifications normally give packed size/weight.
The above mentioned wall over window situation bothers some people and not others (doesn't bother me), there is no hard and fast rule of 'don't do under any circumstance'. If over a window, it stops opening of window, risk of scratching window (absolutely minimal if window and awning edge wiped clean first), and a few more drafts as awning not so close fitting to caravan wall, but it may give you the opportunity for the ideal sized awning, as opposed to compromised too small or oversized.
I've got a largish 3.3m Kampa/Dometic airbeam porch awning, which is perfectly possible for me to handle on my own, but it is bulky and heavy and I struggle to dry it at home, I also have a much lighter weight smaller 2.6m poled awning for short stays (it's just quicker and easier to handle) which has proved useful for most occasions and tends to get used all the time now.
Think I should be on commission from Sunncamp for the times I mentioned this of late! I've got the Sunncamp Swift SC 260 awning as my lightweight one. It's so easy and quick to erect/breakdown, has proved durable in all weathers over past 2 or 3 years, and has suited my varying needs perfectly well. It comes in bigger and smaller versions if 2.6m doesn't suit you. A near identical design is available from a number of different manufacturers. It's absolutely not the nightmare (divorce in a bag!) type poled awning with endless poles to juggle with, just a single angled 3 section hooped pole with telescopic adjustment on each side to give perfect fit, it's so simple I see little advantage in the significantly more expensive airbeam version.
We always found that the NR Coniston Luxe was handy for short trips or bad weather, a decent size, not small and not too large for drying later at home.
We had a full sized Trio for long stays which was good and now we have a blow up 3/4 awning which is great
I didn't sell our other awnings just-in-case, maybe its time they went
we have a Sunncamp swift 260 deluxe, the 260 is the length along the caravan. It is esay to put up I do it on my own. I have just sold a 220 version. measure along the side of the caravan and see where 220cm or 260cm would sit looking that it might go over a window or locker.
Thank you all for you help. I will measure the side of the van when I get her back . In for a gas leak repair on the oven. So hopefully get her back Wednesday.
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Topic: Advice needed for a lightweight awning
via mobile 21/9/2023 at 7:21pm
