confused about awnings

[Richard_5111280]

Hi all

I am getting confused about awning have looked at so many,

I am having a new caravan in july (Bailey Ranger 460/4) moving up from a second hand outfit which had a awning with it.

The Dealer is trying to sell me a Dorema Montana at suppoesed discount??? but i have seen so many moreat higher and lower prices.

I have seen a pyramid Tuscany which I like and seams to be the same as the dorema but is at least 250.00 cheaper than the dorema.

Would the tuscany be a faulse economy??

any advise and alternative recomendations gladly appreciated as only have 6 months experiences in caravaning.

Cheers

Richard

 

[Fouldsy]

Richard

We have been vanning for a couple of years, our first awning was a secondhand Isabella, it was absolutely mint and we paid a few hundred pounds.

I have seen Dorema and Tuscany but none match the quality of the Isabella.

You can look through the free adds, CC website, mags etc and get your self the Rolls Royce of awnings for less than you will pay for a new inferior brand.

Dont think a used awning is a bad option, it will save you dosh and get you a better model to start with.

Happy hunting, we have just replaced our van and picked up a used bargain, an immaculate Isabella Ambassador Crown at a third of the new price.

Mike, Happy vanning guy

 

[emmerson2]

Purely a personal poinion, but I would leave the Dorema well alone. I have a two year old one in my shed that I will never use again, but won't sell because I wouldn't want anyone else to have the problems I've had!

 

[rayc]

Richard, Like most things it will depend what you want it for. If you are going to use it for 3 to 4 weeks a year then a good middle of the road one, such as a Bradcot Active, would fit the bill.

If you intend using it a lot during the year, especially early and late, you may decide that a 'Rolls Royce' of awnings is the one for you.

It's horses for courses, and your bank balance in the end, but I have a Bradcot and think it was good value for money.

 

[Damian]

I also have a Bradcot Active, which is a great awning at a reasonable price.

Found a problem with one of the front panel zips last weekend, phoned Bradcot, today a DHL van arrived to collect the awning , take it back to Bradcot for repair and will return it in 10 days. No cost to me whatsoever.Great after sales service!!!

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

I personally can't see what the problem is with Dorema awnings.

We had a Dorema Madison, and on the whole it was good. The only real problem was, with the size 12 model there were five roof poles. The second and fourth ones could have been a fraction longer, as we found that in extra windy conditions they had a tendancy to come loose.

We also bought a Dorema Hilton porch awning, and in the three years haven't had any problems, and have just recently bought, after changing the 'van, the new Dorema Vitesse XL, which is really a super little awning. It's a peice of cake to put up, well designed and made.

 

[ThePlotter]

Emmerson,If you will not use the Dorema again and wont sell it why dont you throw it away or is this an inherited thing from the relatives near Penrith!

 

[emmerson2]

Emmerson,If you will not use the Dorema again and wont sell it why dont you throw it away or is this an inherited thing from the relatives near Penrith!

Hi plotter. Cos it cost nearly

 

[LMH]

Purely a personal poinion, but I would leave the Dorema well alone. I have a two year old one in my shed that I will never use again, but won't sell because I wouldn't want anyone else to have the problems I've had!

emmerson, what's wrong with it and why won't you sell it? What size is it (just out of interest?).

Lisa

 

[stantonks@hotmail.com]

It all depends on the individual and thier price range.

But please remember that your awning is an extension to your caravan and know doubt you enjoy your caravan so you should enjoy your awning. I prefer 1 of the following 3. Bradcott, trio or Isabella. All are excellent value for money and made to the highest of standards.(Not throwing Together). I think that the price reflects the quality.

 

[emmerson2]

Purely a personal poinion, but I would leave the Dorema well alone. I have a two year old one in my shed that I will never use again, but won't sell because I wouldn't want anyone else to have the problems I've had!

Sorry, Lisa I missed your comment. See my comment to The Plotter's post.at the bottom of this thread.

 

[LMH]

Hi plotter. Cos it cost nearly

 

[Annie_5111397]

I have caravaning for a few years now. I have had a few different awning makes. For my new caravan Abbey Spectrum I have purchased a Dorema Montana. As you will be aware the Van I have is Large size 17. I have found nothing wrong with the quality of the new awning I have.(please go look at one before you comment things change) The van is sited for the moment due to my health. I had no trouble erecting the awning, the extra roof poles gave it a very stable end finish. The new zip system in the awning sides is great too. If you need to purchase an anex then the side acts as a wall no need to buy one or put over a curtain for privacy. As for the price look on the net...

 

[ThePlotter]

Emmerson,only joking as I bought a brand new Trio Mexico with annexe and inner tent for around

 

[OldBean]

Oh dear

Is it a common problem with Dorema?, poor design and service?

I can't make my mind up which awning to go for. Our new van's ground to ground measurement is 947 cm, we (well me, actually) want an annexe to put the two dog cages in. I've reserved a new Eurovent awning and that comes in at

 

[OldBean]

Oh dear

Is it a common problem with Dorema?, poor design and service?

I can't make my mind up which awning to go for. Our new van's ground to ground measurement is 947 cm, we (well me, actually) want an annexe to put the two dog cages in. I've reserved a new Eurovent awning and that comes in at

 

[OldBean]

Oh dear

Is it a common problem with Dorema?, poor design and service?

I can't make my mind up which awning to go for. Our new van's ground to ground measurement is 947 cm, we (well me, actually) want an annexe to put the two dog cages in. I've reserved a new Eurovent awning and that comes in at

 

[HamishC]

Hi Richard

We bought a new awning for our 1983 caravan and found the best deal was on a NR awning (

 

[Damian]

having posted earlier about the Bradcot awning we have, and it going back for a repair to the zip, well, its back with us today!!!!!

New zip fitted and returned , all in 3 days.now THAT is what I call good service.

Well done Bradcot,you are stars.

 

[NorfolkMike]

In over 40 years of caravaning we have always had an awning or porch awning. Most have been Izabella all have been good and I think most of the above posts advice holds good.

You do find awnings are sometimes a love/hate thing and one can buy second hand ones that have hardly been used.

This year, because we are going to Italy for a month I desided on a canopy. (One year old on e'bay.

 

[dazicki]

we have an issabella which if great dad has a dorema which is awkward to put up and poorer quality my sister has an nr which i think is the easiest and best all are second hand but still ok

 

[VonRyan]

Hi Richard,

We have used a Dorema Cardinal for 4 years now without problem. The only thing I did was due to the border line size of the awning we bought a extra 2 roof poles (alloy) for between the outer most roof poles and the centre pole to give slightly extra tension and to ensure the roof did not fill with rain water.A excellent buy. A freind has a Isabella and yes it is excellent quality but it is horses for courses.

Rob

 

[Allyson]

I also have a Bradcot Active, which is a great awning at a reasonable price.

Found a problem with one of the front panel zips last weekend, phoned Bradcot, today a DHL van arrived to collect the awning , take it back to Bradcot for repair and will return it in 10 days. No cost to me whatsoever.Great after sales service!!!

Hi

If you don't mind me asking how old was your awning to have the zips repaired free of charge?

Nearley all off our zips have come off our Bradcott Classic and would never purchase a Bradcott.

We have just bought the Ultima 390 Sunncamp Awning, what a pleasure to put up.