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Don't ask me coz we got ours totally wrong last year when we bought our new van! Ended up with a size 12 Dorema (925-950CM), when in actual fact it looks more like we need the size 11 (900-925cm), coz the other one was w-a-y too baggy! That's what we got for listening to both the manufacturer of the tin tent AND the caravan dealership!!! Ho hum....anybody want an almost brand new used once only very nice green/grey Dorema Madison awning...please let me know....

In my defence, I did suggest to hubby that we ought to still do the measuring thingy with the string from one side on the ground up and through the awning rail down to the other side on the ground but oh no....he knew best and said we should just trust those who were supposed to know!!! Never again!

But at least I've got rid of your sad blue face now

It really gets up my nose that once again you have a group of people who for the life of me cannot sit down and agree a uniform way of describing, measuring and sizing something so basic as a caravan awning. These so-called specialists i.e. caravan manufacturers who carry on in most cases like an unapprochable MI5,  their own licenced -to-kill special agents the caravan dealer, and then there's the awning manufacturer and their dealers, who are sometimes incorporated within the caravan dealership.

Yes we know they are all business to make a profit but in order to generate a consistent level of profit year after year I would have thought that it is important to firstly, offer a fair deal for a reasonable product. 

Secondly, provide an acceptable standard of customer relations and after service.

Then perhaps thirdly and especially where there is absolutely very little or no extra cost involved, smooth the way of the customer through the many facets of the industry as possible including accessories.

After all, just exactly how long would it take for representatives of the four main players to meet up at some big posh hotel somewhere and agree something so simple. Or is that just me being simple.

Just in case one of you "big four" (and boy am I being polite)  is reading this, I'll start you off so the actual meeting shoul last even shorter and you'll have more time for drinking or what or whoever takes your fancy.

We do not need any H+'s thank you, we do not need any AA's and we don't even need any Sizes either. The people who actually measure and use the product i. e. us the caravanner or caravaneer even, well we use a very tried and tested yet simple technique for measuring an awning length and that is from ground to ground following the awning rail.

When we were english we measured it in feet and inches but ever since we joined that bunch of onion selling, garlic smelling, sausage munching lot across the ditch, we have used centimetres. Ok we've now got used to it so then use it.

So please sit down together and all agree on the increments and the actual sizes and then issue the same document for and on behalf of all companies. Or would you like me to do that for you too!  Believe me it isn't difficult at all.

Sorry ginge I'm with you (I think) but I also think the best thing for you to have done was to have placed the onus upon the caravan dealer and during negotiations for the van itself built into the deal, an awning to fit, at a discount price as part of the deal.  

THESE ARE THE EUROVENT AWNING SIZES

WITH A SIZE OF 946,THE I SIZE AWNING SHOULD HAVE BEEN PURCHASED

WITH CURRENT SIZE AS 963 THE I SIZE AWNING SHOULD STILL FIT

BUT WHAT WAS IT, AN ''H'' OR AN 'I' THE ORIGINAL AWNING ?????

Hi Rumple

The caravan dealers have offered me an awning to fit at a discount price, i have only had my awning 2 months and only used it twice they want to take my awning and another £400 in exchange for the same awning but a bigger size but my question is i cannot see how its not going to fit my new van if my awning is a size h+ as was told when purchased it with my van it should fit the new van, as a H+ 945-980 is the size i would be looking at for my new van if i didnt have an awning, as my new van AA is 963.

Hi klarky

I was told by the caravan dealer when i spoke to him sunday that i had purchased a size H+

i have checked the net and this is what i found on the size H+

http://www.davan.co.uk/awnings-eurovent.html

IF YOUR AWNING IS AN ''H'' IT WILL NOT FIT --AN H IS

DO NOT SPEND THAT SORT OF MONEY ON AN AWNING ONLY 1 SIZE BIGGER

IT WILL PROBABLY COST YOU AROUND £100 OR LESS TO HAVE IT RESIZED

GIVE THESE A RING AND ASK FOR A QUOTE

THEY HAVE A COLLECT AND RETURN SERVICE AND ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

http://www.canvasrepaircentre.co.uk/

AHhhhhh,didn't see the full range of sizes,just looked at the basic size chart

if it is an H+ THEN THE AWNING WHICH IS a size 930-985 SHOULD FIT NO PROBLEM AT ALL

From all that you say Debbie I agree with you 100%. I would say to the van dealer "Right mush let's forget all that H this and H that crap plus all this AA nonsense, let's talk physical measurement"

Q1."How do you physically measure for an awning?"

Q2. "What does this AA measurement represent?"

Q3. Should it not be GG i. e. Ground to Ground?"

Q4. "What is the physical measurement of the new van ground to ground, as that is the proper way to measure for an awning?"

Q5. "Why are you so willing to offer me a deal whereby I pay you £400 + a nearly new awning in exchange for an awning that I can buy online for the same price?" 

If necessary Debs take a small pair of steps, although I would think the dealer should have such a thing, a tape measure and and a 10m + length of string with you and physically measure the awning rail inclusive of both ground to bottom of awning rail dimensions. That dimension is the one you should use.

The other thing you could do Debs is to get your awning dealer to confirm that your "old" awning will indeed fit your new van. Then ask what he's prepared to do if he's wrong. I'm sure it'll be a much better deal than what the van dealer's offering.

Hi all

i am even more confused now , i have measured my awning rail loop to loop and it is 30ft, now my van the abbey gts vogue aa is 31ft 1

my new van aa is 31ft 7

just been on the phone to my dealer and he assures me he sold me a 930-985 H+ awning to go with my abbey van so why the hell is he telling me i need the size I 945-980 for my new van the swift

Hi Debs, did you measure your awning like this as I'm not sure what you mean by "loop to loop"? What was the actual measurement?

...and did you ask him why he's trying to sell you an awning you don't need?

look,if that awning is a 930cm -985cm and your van is 963cm its going to fit your van,make no mistake about that,take no notice of the dealer,h'es after your money

anyway,there must be a reason why they make an h+,do you know why??????

ask the dealer ,it might shed some light on why he wants you to change????