Large awning advice

[Jasonm]

Hello all.

I am about to be the proud owner of a Bailey Ranger 620/6 (after just 3 months in my Craftsman Miracle )

I am totally confused regarding the awning i need, the recommended size is 1088 but i hear of people using smaller awnings..? also what are peoples recommendations for good quality awnings..? I think the Isabella will be out of my price range so i will be looking for shall we say the next best thing..

Someone has told me that the Atlantic Ventura is a good make, but i don't want to go down the lines most people have and find the best one for me is the 5th one i buy...

 

[Heethers]

Jason give the Harrington ago won best awning of the year 08 in PC, retail from Discover Leisure, l have one well pleased.

NigelH

 

[Bryan_374360331]

Ventura is Isabella's "other brand" - *very* similar. We were considering the Atlantic but the curtain pattern wasn't in favour...

Dorema are pretty well-made. We have one of their porch awnings - excellent quality.

 

[markw]

We have just changed caravans and awnings.

New size was 1000cm

We looked at various including the Issabella, also looked very closely at the Ventua Atlantic, comparing its details with the Issabella.

We chose the Ventura, as stated before Issabella's manufactured under licence I believe

 

[JTQ]

Jason,

Can I float an alternative worth considering before you buy?

Think very carefully if you really need a full 1088 cm awning, or would an awning that covers a significant part suffice?

A full size is excellent for a long holiday but for many its too much hassle for a week-end, particuarly after a couple of wet packs. At that size any steel frame will be horrifically heavy and dare I say an alloy frame very fragile in a storm.

The full is also "A" dimension specific thus when changing vans its often also changing awning.

Part awnings on the other hand are less van specific and being less canvas they tend to be less hassle and consequently see more use.

Examples are Isabella's Magnum and more economically Ventura's Marlin; see link for the latter:

http://www.ventura-camping.com/uk/awnings/ventura-awningsc.html
We have caravanned for 3 decades and are avid users of awnings even for two night stays. We have full, part and sun awnings, of these the part has sees by far the greatest frequency of use and has suited the last two van's.

In passing we would suggest each pound spent on a good condition but second hand Isabella or Ventura is better placed than the same funds spent on lesser makes new.

Anyway that's another angle on the awning dilemma worth at least a moments thought.

 

[Jasonm]

Thanks for the advice..

With regards to using a smaller awning...we are seasonal sited and everyone on site leaves them up from easter onwards, i currently have an NR Libra which came with the caravan which is held down with dog anchors and a ratchet strap, so as for using a smaller awning, i personally would like to get the full size.

I do like the look of the Harrington but cant work out the sizes in respect to the caravan. They sell a 1075 and a 1100, with mine being 1088 would the 1075 be too small and would the 1100 be too big...?

 

[Rod_5041370]

Go for the 1075 as this will peg down tighter.

The 1100 will leave the roof prone to allowing puddles to form in wet weather, leading to collapse and damage to the frame.

 

[glake]

Hi Jason,

after 4 years of using a midi awning we purchased an Inaca Elba just before christmas size is 1050. Appart from a few niggles, we are very pleased, its extremely versatile with the way you can alter panels and zip down blinds. It self tensions like the izzy's and ventura and we use an awning partition at the far end to keep bikes and toys in thus keeping the floor area tidy.

Gar

 

[WilliamLX]

Dorema is as good a make of awning as you will get, but overpriced. Starcamp make identical awning for about 25% less. I believe that the two companies are linked. However I really would stay clear of full sized awnings as they are a pain in the butt to put up and a source of constant worry in terms of durability during British weather. As to leaving these up on a caravan on a long term site (why does anyone do this, if you want a van in one place why not have a bigger more comfortable static?) - bad idea, what happens if it gets stormy and the awning starts to disintegrate while you are not there. Also gives nice cover for anyone dishonest to break into your caravan. Just because others do this, does not mean it is a good idea.

 

[abbeygates]

Please cam anyone help? i have a fleetwood garland 148/5 1991 and need an awning - they seem to come in cms or feet can you help by telling me what size awning we need in feet and cms thanks

 

[Guest]

got a bit of string?

 

[abbeygates]

that come out at 840 but how do i know if it says ie a 14foot caravan if thats what i need?

 

[Guest]

you cant go wrong if you'd done it like that ground to ground.

 

[abbeygates]

okay, iknow im sounding stupid now, but ive measured 840 , my external length is 16 foot 6 inches and internal length is 15foot 3 inches when i look to buy awnings it seems to state them in feet. If i convert 840cm to feet its over 27 foot! What size in feet do i look for?

 

[Guest]

you want 825-850 which for say a Dorema is size 8, or if its a bradcot they do a size 840(no number) dont over complicate it and you'll be ok.

 

[trucker]

Jason, Id like to second JTQ comments re the part awning. We used to buy a new awning everytime we changed the van and loose about 1/2 the price each time with only 4/5 weeks use as we use a porch for short stays and the full for the longer holiday. We then bought an NR combi awning which on our old van covered about 3/4 but on the new van is nearly the length of the van. The beauty is we havnt got to change it again. so thats

 

[abbeygates]

can anyone tell me what size in feet i need, they seem to say on ebay a 14 foot caravan awning is mine 14 15 or 16 foot? please help

 

[Guest]

Yes but if I was in Jason's shoes keeping it on a all season pitch and keeping the van for a while I'd go for the full awning with steel poles and get a few extra poles from somwhere as a bit of extra strength.

 

[Guest]

louise, I've told you the correct way to go about it, if they dont know how to advertise the size of one who are selling them on ebay then I wouldn't bother buying from them.

The size you need is 840 cm or abit over or under ie 825-850, saying its 14 15 or 16ft is erelevent cause they could be off different hight vans.

 

[abbeygates]

excellent thats what i needed the info on the difference in feet and the cms - it all comes down to height.

thanks - sorry for being so thick.