Had it all!! what next?????

[Martin24]

Okay so currently have the full 1050 awning and the diddy porch, porch not big enough for more than a weekend but do we really want to put the full up for 6 days??? Also previously had lightweight porches that were more trouble than they were worth, combi porch and other full and porch awning. Infact 9 different ones in eight years. If there's a question in here somewhere, it is what to go for next??? Ideas????

 

[Sproket]

I had a look at one of these at Dickinson caravans @ Bradford, was well impressed how you can just use them as a porch awning or extend them either side if required.........

 

[Mel]

sun canopy?

mel

 

[Gagakev]

Or one of these, Kampa Rally
I have one, LB has one, Sir Roger has one and quite a few others, they are easy to put up and you have the extra space
If you do go for one my advice is to go for the full works, ie; rear upright poles, monsoon poles and the extra tie down storm straps.

 

[Martin24]

Hmmmmm sorry mel the sun canopy idea is a no because we'd want the sides and then J thinks they look like a porta loo!!!! I know his Lordship is always recommending the kampa but having had the competition (briefly) It's put me orf and I'll take some convincing on that!!! Now Sprocket your getting closer to the mark, we considered that instead of the full one last year but delivery on time was a huge issue because of demand and so we left it. Considering the demand I've yet to see one in use, but that's probably down to the sites we use. I think once the van's back from the factory we'll do some measuring and then possibly stick to what we're doing for now until after Lawns. It inside gen is that I'm likely to get very excited when we get there and will need my cheque book at the ready!!!!!

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Martin
I've had the same dilemma for years.
We now use the Izzy Capri Lux ,all 1090 of it, for stays of over one week but only if other family members are in the vicinity. It takes a good hour to erect and a real bu??er to put away when wet. Drying it out in the conservatory is a nightmare.
The Izzy Magnum porch is our favourite. Larger than most porches , well nearly half the length of the Wyoming. Easy to erect single handed and easy to carry and put away.
The Magnum is going with us to Snowdonia for two weeks later this month. Plenty of room to swing a cat and rub down the wet and muddy springers.
Without mentioning specific makes I did lose a "D" style light weight some years ago. The Izzies have both withstood storms , undamaged , many a time.
IMO you probably have the right balance now but perhaps a larger porch awning could be the solution. Don't forget you can add a side extension to an Izzy porch.

 

[woodsieboy]

We had similar dilema when we had twin axle van,the answer that worked for us was a smaller full awning.we bought a 950 Ventura,You need to 'break' the bead that fits into the awning channel and invest in a upright pole and pad like the Isabella one.You get a 3/4 size awning that fits in the channel for most of the way round, and is a better fit against the van side than traditional porches.With us it left the barbecue point free at the front of the van and covered from the door near the front, to the rear of the van.To decide on the size you will need,first check where your windows are then measure vertically where you want the awning to end,add to the channel measurement from where the upright pole will be to the ground and away you go.Sounds more complicated than it is, we bought our awning from e bay,never been used.If this is still too big you can buy a smaller awning and use 2 sets of back poles,to create what is in effect an overgrown porch.

 

[plotter]

What about the Fiamma that travels in the awning rail ,and which you can have with or without walls.A friend of mine has one and it works well is easy to erect and stands up to bad weather well.

 

[Surfer]

Aviod those with the flexible poles as in high winds they are history. The Kampa and outdoor revolution ones with the metal poles are better. Proven at Brean testing grounds over the past few days with high winds.

 

[otherclive]

Same problem as Martin and we have a cheap (£65) lightweight nylon awning 3.0 x2.5m (Romany Basecamp no longer made) for short visits and at times like winter, spring and late autumn when it's likley to be packed wet. It dries out quickly at home. We then got to the stage where we found that we rarely seemed to take the fullsize one out but wanted something slightly larger than the cheapy. I also looked back at the number of awnings bought and sold for peanuts when the van changes. So we went for a midi (Isabella Magnum) and bought it second hand at a year old for less than half the best retail price. It is very weather proof, large enough for 4 to sit and eat in and we now have an annex for when we need to sleep more than 4. Lots of spares available if anything should wear out or break. Most unlikley to go back now to a full awning again. We still use the cheapy which at 5 years old is still water proof and defect free, but very grubby. So there will come a time when we will have to replace it and I would probably go foor a Kampa as on sites most people I have spoken to are pleased with them.

 

[forestgump]

we have a dorema meega porch maxima and if we need more room we have the tall annix go to dorema factory clearance.

 

[Martin24]

Have decided to wait and see what happens at Lawns this year before coming to any decisions!! Got a feeling we may need to be measuring a new van???? Or not of course??

 

[Martin24]

Oh well decision made!!!! The 1050 Bradcot Concept with easy alloy frame is going on the market, should hopefully get a good price as only last years and only used twice and just got home from latest trip out to a message to say that our Isabella Magnum is ready for collection.

 

[otherclive]

Even though we have had this van for seven years, a record, we sold the large awning and bought a Magnum which is really excellent and does us for short or long stays. Now if we see a van that lights our fires we don't have to worry about selling one awning for peanuts and then deciding what new one to buy.

 

[Martin24]

Well as far as changing the van goes we'll see what Lawns brings and if we can get a stonkinly good deal if we see anything we like. The poles are now all colourcoded, the awning folded properly and in the bag just the curtains to sort when we get it all set up on site Saturday!

 

[Mel]

Can you get an annexe to fit your Isabella, Martin? We find the best place to keep the teenager is outside the van. You might fit all 3 of your girls in a large annexe....
mel

 

[Martin24]

Yes we can, yes we thought they would all fit, protestation at the suggestion so far though!!!! Thought we could get a nice little 2 berth vip with them outside!!!
M

 

[Martin24]

Brilliant, The easiest errection we've ever done!!! Really happy with the decision and can see at last the little details that make the difference!! Today someone toddled along and bought the big awning and as this new one is easier to put up than the diddy porch we'll sell that one too when we get back from the next trip!