Awning or Retractable Sunshade?

[Carole_374312871]

Hi there

We have bought a caravan which came with a new awning. We haven't even unpacked it as in the past they have seemed more trouble than they're worth. Thinking of a trip on the continent, do most people use an awning? We are wondering whether to sell this and buy a retractable sunshade,takes up no space and weighs considerably less,any ideas?

Thanks

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

We always use an Awning.

Nice little roll out sunshades tend to get wrapped over the roof when people least expect it.

Also if the weather turns for the worse, most are next to useless.

Ria

 

[Viking1]

Hi Carole

in one way awning are Trouble but till you get to now how they go up and you mark the poles so you now were they go.

A awning can double the room of your caravan as well handy if you need moor space.

mark

 

[Graham_374228415]

We have never used the full awning that came with the caravan it is just too much hassle. We bought a 4m caravanstore canopy that goes in the awning rail which we used for 16 weeks on various holidays. Last year we changed that for an Omnistor wind out awning which is even easier to use. In both years we have spent 10 weeks in Spain in the winter. The caravanstore awning is for sale at

 

[Del_374232870]

Tried an awning but more trouble than it was worth, also when it was wet it had to be dried out. We used the Fiama caravan store on our last van and it gave us excellent results, easy to put up and put away, waterproof and with the storm strap very secure.

Now the negatives, when we changed vans we heard conflicting stories about whether they caused damp (our van was very damp on p/x) , the stories concerned stress on the awning rail. I emailed both Fiamma and Lunar caravans on the subject for advice. Lunar emailed back within 2 days saying they didn't recommend fitting to their vans Fiamma failed to respond to 2 emails , so the result was we didn't fit it to the new van as I didddnt wish to tempt fate.. Shame as it gave plenty of shade.

 

[NorfolkMike]

If you tour awnings are a pain.

I have a full sized awning, a porch awning and a one your ago aquired canopy which I got to go to Italy last year. since I got it I have never used the awnings again.

The only 'but' is that there are only two of us, We use a van attatched wind break as well.

 

[DJM]

Hello Carol,

My preference for touring abroad is to use a good quality sun canopy. We have an old Isabella Sunflex which as the name suggests is very flexible. It is a full size sun canopy and also converts to 50% enclosed awning / 50% sun canopy should you so wish. Isabella have a new model out now based on the Sun Blue sun canopy. It's worth a look and I can highly recommend them having used one for three months touring per year for the last five years.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We have had the Fiamma Caravanstore Canopy(7 years) and went on to the "Zip" enclosed canopy.

The Zip was so awkward to roll up underhand that we bought the Omnistore 2000 self retracting canopy this year.A lot more expensive!

This is better for putting away but in every other respect is inferior to the Zip

The poles are more flimsy but heavier and the method of fixing them to the van very poor compared to the Zip---dents in van side

On the instructions it shows the front vertical poles outside the fabric but the velcro loops are so attached that the fabric has to be on the outside.

This could be a design change that looks good but means that rainwater from the roof now runs down the inside of the poles which are inside the "Safari Room"

The Zip with its sides installed is very weather and water tight but the Omnistore with Safari Room is a joke unless the sun is shining all the time !

You have to peg down and guy immediately

 

[kathryn_5122141]

We have just sold used the full awning that came with our caravan as it is just too much hassle to put up as we do a lot of weekend caravanning. We bought a 3.6m caravanstore zip which we think is fab. Takes a minute to put up the sun canopy and peg it down which you must do straight away or else it can blow onto the roof of your caravan. As long as you are aware of that however its not a problem. We also have the safari room which comes with it and you can zip on one side or two sides or all sides and the front as the mood takes you - it is really versatile and I like being in the fresh air as much as possible so we usually have the canopy and maybe one wall as a wind shield in the daytime then add the rest later at night as it makes it perfectly weather proof that way. You can really peg it down firmly and it is really strong and we have been in some bad weather with it and never had a problem.

It's the best thing we have bought to go with the caravan and would heartily recommend it.

 

[chic68]

Hi Carole,

We have used a 3.6 m caravanstore for the past 4 years ,go away nearly every 2 weeks in the summer and it is up every time, as already mentioned ,as soon as you roll it out get it pegged down or it will end up on the roof ( it will only happen once then you will learn )

Last weekend we were at the woodvale rally in southport when the wind really got up (dont know how strong it was )and i thought it was going to blow off , we were faced with going outside in the gale and taking it down or leave it and pick up the pieces in the morning hoping there was no damage to the van , people were really struggling to get awnings down ( this all happening at around 2 in the morning), imagine my suprise when opening the blinds in the morning that the blind was still there as i had put it up the day before .

So it is very strong indeed , just make sure you peg it down , in ten years of caravanning that was the worst night we have ever had ( 2 blood pressure pills in the morning )

 

[JTQ]

Carole,

We beleive we have the best of both worlds, we take both an awning and Isabella's excellent "Shadow". The Shadow is a simple sunshade that fits in the awning rail; it is very light and is put up in about 4-5 minutes.

What we dont like about the retractables is that they occupy the rail and thats it. You use it or not, thats the only choice you have. I concede they make a good sunshade but far from a good awning.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi the biggest problem with a canopy(Fiamma,Omnistor)when used as an awning with sides is condensation and I would not like to sleep in either and we have both .The plastic is excellent at keeping out the sun but does not breath

The Omnistor bolts onto the side of the van below the awning rail so it would be possble to erect a full awning as well but not at the same time --of course!!

 

[PeterT]

A point to bear in mind with the roll-up style is your age. Can you cope with holding up the weight whilst rolling up the last bit of blind at the end of your height/reach ?

 

[Graham_374228415]

Rolling it back up was one of the reasons for changing it for the Omnistor wind out awning. Our awning rail is 2.8m from the ground so I had to use steps in order to reach it as I am not very tall. The Omnistor fits on the roof, no drilling, which means that the awning rail is free if I want to put up a full awning.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Not only age has to be a consideration when rolling up a canopy

Its much easier with 2 people which can be difficult if as in our case one has a disability.

Height also makes it easier to do the job if you are 6ft+tall.etc

 

[Essexeddie]

You could always wear platform shoes!

We have the caravanstore zip with sides, I could'nt be bothered with all the hassle of an awning.

 

[ajmacintosh]

You could always wear platform shoes!

We have the caravanstore zip with sides, I could'nt be bothered with all the hassle of an awning.

I too am interested in the Caravanstore awning as these days, anwing erection is just too much hassle. when we had our 2 berth caravan we had no choice as we have 2 kiddies. upgrading to a larger caravan reduced the need for a full awning but i miss the shade on a hot summers day.

The reason i have not purchased a caravanstore canopy is because of all the negative comments i hear regarding awning rail stress, damp etc.