Isabella Shadow Canopy

[Nidge1]

Hi,

I am thinking about purchasing a Isabella Shadow Canopy for our van.

Anybody got one? and what do think about it.Would it stand up to all year vanning?.

I have previously used a Bradcot porch awning and to be honest was not impressed by its Quality or ease of use (could put a full size Isabella just as quick).

Any other ideas as an easy option, for just really rain protection when entering the van?

Regards Nidge

 

[JTQ]

Nidge,

We have had a 3.6 metre Shadow for a couple of years and are extremely pleased with it. We use it all year round, however it is made of light polyester fabric so it has limitations if its very windy. To help we use bungies on the guys to retain tension and accommodate the gust forces. Its good for keeping the door area dry in rain and facilitates leaving the door itself open in full or part when its raining which is sometimes nice to do. Obviously its also a sun shade; it can be put on the other side of our van from the full awning to help keep things cool as it was in France.

We also pop it up after we take down the full awning the evening before leaving as its so easy to dry it of the morning dew. Just put it up to dangle from the awning rail when home.

Its light so we carry it in the van at all times.

It takes only 3 or 4 minutes to put up or take down.

Cant understand why they are not more popular. [tip: in addition to using bungies as mentioned, place the base of the poles far enough out from the van incase in strong wind it throws out centre pole. That way it will not hit the van.]

 

[Nidge1]

HI JTQ,

Many thanks for info,Just what we are looking for, I think we shall go for the 2.4 model, as we have a Isabella awning and on reading the literature you can also fit this model on the side of the awning.

I presume you fit the bungees between the bottom of the storm guy and the peg for the extra stability ?.

Cheers Nidge

 

[JTQ]

Nidge,

yes I put the bungees between the guys and the peg; one on each guy. I use the 18" ones with hooks at each end doubling it through a loop on the guy.

I maintains tension and provides compliance ensuring that the guy is always taught. As you will see when you get the Shadow the top end of the guy is simply looped over the end tube of the post, above the eyelet in the sheet. With the bungee it cant develop any slack that would alow the sheet to lift it off. I use steel pegs, rather that the large plastic ones that are provided.

The 2.4m is only a two pole job so lacks the centre pole of the 3.6m and it is that centre one that more readily falls out as its not held by the looping the guy over as stated above.

Hope this helps,

cheers JTQ

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi

We are not yet into awnings, Is the Shadow a type that is fitted into the channel on the van on a semi permanent basis. ?? Just come from the storage site and a van like ours has one fitted, it goes the full length of the top rail.Also can you zip on sides and front to make them like a full awning ???. And finally are they any good ??

Val & Frank

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

We have an Isabella Sun Shadow (3 metre) that we always carry in one of the Eriba Triton's lockers. Primarily for hot summer use, it's basically a large sheet of heavy duty polyester fabric and a few poles and does what it says - it's a sun canopy.

The semi-permanent "sun canopy in a bag" from Fiamma and Omnistor - which are transported attached to the awning rail - have a reputation amongst Eriba owners for rubbing on the body work during travelling - with the bag coming off worst.

If we have the Aronde Half-Dome Awning fitted to the door side, then we may use the Sun Shadow on the other side of the van at a 45 degree angle - that's very effective at shielding the van from the sun's heat - especially as the Sun Shadow is quite reflective.

Robert

 

[Nidge1]

Nidge,

yes I put the bungees between the guys and the peg; one on each guy. I use the 18" ones with hooks at each end doubling it through a loop on the guy.

I maintains tension and provides compliance ensuring that the guy is always taught. As you will see when you get the Shadow the top end of the guy is simply looped over the end tube of the post, above the eyelet in the sheet. With the bungee it cant develop any slack that would alow the sheet to lift it off. I use steel pegs, rather that the large plastic ones that are provided.

The 2.4m is only a two pole job so lacks the centre pole of the 3.6m and it is that centre one that more readily falls out as its not held by the looping the guy over as stated above.

Hope this helps,

cheers JTQ

Hi JTQ.

Many thanks for your help and tips.

Kind regards

Nidge

 

[Val & Frank]

Cheers Rob,

Now I understand what I am looking at.