We have had both and it really depends on how you intend to spend your holiday.
For a number of years we (sometimes with dogs) used our caravanstore awning for our holidays as we left it on the rail throughout and simply had to roll it out once we stopped. It gave us more space inside when travelling (lunch, loo stops and so on) and saved quite a bit of weight.
We had a number of these on more than one caravan, with the last one also having sides which we used occasionally. However, eventually, as we got older and caravans got taller, we found it more difficult to roll the awning up and zip it into its bag. We have now returned to a full awning, but we don't move the caravan off site for the whole holiday. Also, we store our caravan at the site, so don't have to transport the awning.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Not really a case of an outright one being better than the other IMHO - as JoannaLesley put it, it depends on the use you want to put it to!
Pros and Cons to both. Caravanstore awning is quick and easy(ish) to erect, lighter (think of caravan payload!) than a full awning, but only a roof unless you fit the sidewalls, then you are pretty much on a par with a 'proper' porch awning in all aspects, weight, time/work etc. But you do have choice as to whether you fit the walls. Without walls there is often little shelter from rain, it blows under the roof some distance, and low sun shines in too! Those types of awnings seem quite susceptible to wind damage, seen and helped a number of fellow campers who left the awning up unattended or overnight, only to find a change in wind had done damage. Many users seem to retract them when not in active use.
A full awning is relatively heavy and bulky (Think payload and transit space!), time consuming to erect and dismantle, but a large fully sheltered area for your efforts, and usually reasonably robust against all but the worst winds, generally pretty weather proof all round. Most have removeable/rollup walls so it can be just a sun canopy.
For many of us, a porch awning is the ideal solution, all the benefits of a full awning albeit with less floor space, but not a lot with the larger ones. That bit lighter, smaller holdall size, and generally a LOT cheaper!
As above, it depends what you want it for. If we are going away with friends we normally use the full awning simply because there is more room actually under cover.
With just the two of us it is the Fiamma with just one side panel.
The latter is very heavy when you are rolling it up though and I use a small step ladder to save on the arms always being above your head.
Have never had a problem with bad weather although I do use a storm strap where necessary.
DaveS1
If you are planning to move around a lot then the caravan store is much more convenient. If you plan to pitch up for a couple of weeks at a time then the full awning will give you more space.
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Topic: caravanstore awning vr`s full size awning
via mobile 20/7/2025 at 12:03pm
