Kampa Rally Air Pro 330 - Good Buy?

[Parksy]

I'm in the market for a new porch awning after the zip broke on my cheapo 4 year old Towsure lightweight porch during the summer.
I spotted a 2014 model Kampa Rally Air Pro 330 which is brand new in the box from an accessory shop clearance sale.
We're unlikely to use the awning much in bad weather and we gave up winter caravanning so hopefully this porch will last for at least as long as it's fibre pole and nylon rip-stop material predecessor.
Does anybody have a Kampa inflatable awning, are they any good?
I'm paying £279 for this brand new inflatable awning complete with all of the bits and pieces, which looks to be a good bargain if the asking prices for identical used models on E-bay are anything to go by.
What do you think?

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Identical to mine Parksy, bought mine early this year same model as that, we've had it up 2/3 times. We really like it. no problems so far (only price!) snap their hands off, mine cost a helluva lot more than that. (Dusty might try to persuade you different!)

 

[Parksy]

Thanks for the reassuring answer Grabsgrandad
It does look like a really good bargain but I asked all of the right questions, it's from a reputable dealer who want to make room for new stock so it it turns out to be not as complete as I hoped for or faulty I'm covered.

 

[Dustydog]

For that price Parksy go for it.
You know the saga of mine and Sir Roger's but maybe we were unlucky a d our expectations as an all year round awning was flawed.
You will need the ceiling lining to hold the condensation at bay.
Use stronger pegs than those supplied.
New tubes are not cheap and do not repair very well.
Once erected I suggest you close all the air valves. If one tube subsequently fails then at least the whole awning will not collapse.
Mine is in the loft. Thank goodness I kept the Izzy Magnum. B)

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Definitely agree with Dusty about the ceiling liner, ~ I/we also got the support poles which hold it to the van better and provide a better draught free seal.

 

[Mel]

Hi Steve, the issue with Air awnings is that they are heavier to pull through the awning rail than your cheapo towsure job. You need to take this into account especially as neither you, me nor your lovely OH are tall. I have seen folks attach string to the awning to pull through the rail. If you get a chance to try before you buy, it might be worth it. Other than that, I think they are great.
Mel

 

[Sproket]

Hi Steve we have the 2014 Air pro ( we had it up at the woosie fest ) that year the door changed to a webbing strap across the bottom rather than a piece of material that you had to step over every time to enter & exit the awning ... i can thread ours into the awning rail myself the trick is to have it all in a loose pile as the tube's are heavy to push upwards but once it on the top rail it easy going. ...definitely get the inner roof to help with the condensation

 

[thedoog1]

Steve, we have just bought that model with the rear poles and roof lining. We have used it twice and it is superb. I find it a bit heavy to carry when in its bag. It is really easy to put up and take down. As dusty said the supplied pegs are no use, but looking forward to using it again at the end of the month.
What do you think about Mr Lambert!!

 

[Parksy]

Steve, we have just bought that model with the rear poles and roof lining. We have used it twice and it is superb. I find it a bit heavy to carry when in its bag. It is really easy to put up and take down. As dusty said the supplied pegs are no use, but looking forward to using it again at the end of the month.
What do you think about Mr Lambert!!

He knows the club and will respect the supporters, he will sort out the slackers in no time and get shut of them if they don't shape up, and he's got a point to prove after his time at Villa and Blackburn, Doog.
I'm expecting Lambert to instill some discipline to stop the rot with some tough tactics, establish the Wanderers firmly in the top part of the Championship with players who want to play and win for the club and who knows???
Nothing can be as bad as Zenga :woohoo:

Thanks for the awning advice Doog, I've got loads of various awning pegs and will get the rear poles and roof lining..

 

[Parksy]

Thanks for the advice folks, I'm collecting the awning tomorrow and will get the roof lining and rear poles.
I'll stand on the steps to pull the awning through the rail, in a way I'm pleased that this awning will be heavier because the material will be more durable hopefully, and over the years I've accumulated an assortment of various pegs so I'll see which ones do the best.
At that price I could always get another (almost disposable) cheapo porch for poorer weather and still be in pocket.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thanks for the advice folks, I'm collecting the awning tomorrow and will get the roof lining and rear poles.
I'll stand on the steps to pull the awning through the rail, in a way I'm pleased that this awning will be heavier because the material will be more durable hopefully, and over the years I've accumulated an assortment of various pegs so I'll see which ones do the best.
At that price I could always get another (almost disposable) cheapo porch for poorer weather and still be in pocket.

Ahh be careful where you stow it as you know what it'll affect

 

[DeliDave_]

you might consider an electric pump while you are at the dealers

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Good tip Dave, expensive but effective.

 

[Parksy]

Thanks for the advice folks, I'm collecting the awning tomorrow and will get the roof lining and rear poles.
I'll stand on the steps to pull the awning through the rail, in a way I'm pleased that this awning will be heavier because the material will be more durable hopefully, and over the years I've accumulated an assortment of various pegs so I'll see which ones do the best.
At that price I could always get another (almost disposable) cheapo porch for poorer weather and still be in pocket.

Ahh be careful where you stow it as you know what it'll affect

:lol: No worries Prof, the things that we load always go in the back of the Trundle Truck, the caravan weight including you know what remains constant, or a little bit lighter if we've used a lot of lpg

 

[Parksy]

you might consider an electric pump while you are at the dealers

Can inflatable awnings be inflated using portable high capacity vehicle tyre compressors Dave?

 

[Dustydog]

Steve.
Well done at that price.
Be sure to pitch the guy lines correctly.
I tripped over the storm ones first time up!
Do not be tempted to over tighten the guys otherwise they collapse tbe tuhe.
IMO all the main guys should come out at 90degs to the front. Not at 45degs as some do. Also if is windy use awning rail stops or extra guys to stop the movement along the awning rail.
Enjoy :cheer:

 

[Parksy]

Thanks Alan, good tip re: the awning rail stops.

 

[Dustydog]

you might consider an electric pump while you are at the dealers

Can inflatable awnings be inflated using portable high capacity vehicle tyre compressors Dave?

Only at your peril Dave.
The Kampa unit is a two stage pump with a cut out at circa 10 psi.
You cannot overload the tubes with the Kampa kit. Anything else will be problematic.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Dave ..... I have the electric pump for mine the pressure is pre set so you set it to max and when it reaches 11psi it stops pumping.
Sir Roger

 

[Parksy]

Manual pump it is then.

 

[Hutch]

Parksy, our little awning is great , wish we had gone for the biggger one, hand pump -5 pumpmand its off to the pub. Enjoy.

 

[Parksy]

I collected the awning which was still in the box that has never been opened. I have a 12 month guarantee even though Black Country Caravans sold this air awning at cost price. While I was there I also bought the roof panels, the rear poles and storm straps at a discount price so we're looking forward to trying it all out early next year

 

[Hutch]

Well done Parksy, gllad to hear that you got a good deal, looking forward to pitching up together again.

 

[Dustydog]

I collected the awning which was still in the box that has never been opened. I have a 12 month guarantee even though Black Country Caravans sold this air awning at cost price. While I was there I also bought the roof panels, the rear poles and storm straps at a discount price so we're looking forward to trying it all out early next year

Steve.
If you can I'd inflate it asap to test for leaks. Kampa's after care service sending new tubes foc to site next day has been fantastic.. The make and design of the latest tubes are different from what you have . I think they are are now made I Germany rather than China! Enjoy it.

 

[Parksy]

I'll pop down to our storage place in the week to give the awning a try, thanks Alan.