New Awning

[ANDREW_5122314]

Hi Everyone

I am going to buy an awning for our new caravan.

I would like a light weight version with the fibreglass poles and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as there are a few manufacturers / styles on the market.

I am looking for a full awning rather than just a porch one.

Any advice much appreciated.

Regards

Andy

 

[Ogre]

Why Fibreglass poles?

A FULL awning will be far more stable with tubular aluminium poles anyway. The fibreglass ones do have a certain amount of flex.

If you are after a good cheap awning I'd recommend NR Awnings of Burnley. Good, well made awnings, and their after sales service is second to none.

 

[Guest]

Fibre poles can shatter under stress and alluminium poles break.

We've had Alluminium poles before, they fracture and we could not use the Awning where are friends steel tubes were damaged but easily straightened for make do repair.

It depends on where and when you caravan I guess, but as all weather caravanners with the love of the sea we stick to steel tube frames now just in case it blows a gale at a coastal site.

Tubes that bend still seem to hold it all together. Tubes that break can leave the awning and frame flapping around to cause more caravan damage if you are not around when the wind blows up.

 

[ANDREW_5122314]

I was going to get fibreglass poles as I was under the impression that they were lightweight.

I wasn't aware that there was a significant strength difference between them and the metal poles.

Good job I checked, thanks.

Andy

 

[Guest]

Andrew.

It does come down to personal choice and use. Fibre Glass poles amd Alloy ones are light and can last for years with no problems.

If the Awning is to be a long term high use all weather extra, steel tubes can be a better option as you can often get by if it should get damaged. With alloy and fibre poles that is not so easy.

 

[Matt_5130019]

I would like to buy a sunncamp Prestige awning for my van which measures 979cm the awning sizes go 950-975 or 975-1000, will i get away with the smaller one as the large one will be to loose, or do i just need to try and peg down the extra fabric of the larger one?

any help would be greatfull.

 

[johnstafford]

Hi Matt I have a sunncamp prestige size 14, i believe thet there is a 15cm tolerance on sizes so the smaller one should be fine.

Only had the awning up once with alloy poles and so far quite impressed.

Cheers

 

[popupJohn]

Over the years in tents and trailer tents ive had steel and ali poles always but with this 1st caravan ive gone for fibreglass.

Ive always tended to over peg and over guy/storm guy protect my canvas and poles. Surely if an awning is properly peged and guyed for the weather the pole construction shouldnt matter that much.

(i`m prepared to be told different and learn tho)

 

[christopher_5074147]

hiyaa john chris here,im up the north west passage in n,ireland,i six years ago purchased an apache awning from downshire caravans,in n,i.ive had it up in force six storm[by accidient]which lifted trees and roof tiles and have had no problems but in the same storm three vans with fiberglass poles lost there awning due to poles flexing and snapping!,as long as your awning has steel poles and is tied down properly you should have a good old time,best of luck/chris

 

[cris_408518]

Im in t he camp where s**t happens.

If its goinf to be storm force in August I'll be on a coastal site. I was in Cornwall campin when the Fastnet disaster went down.

Pop up John, Caravan awnings are just thrown at the side of Caravans! I've never noticed any wonderous design featurs for bad weather like you have for tents.

We have a steel frame job, I saw Fibre Glass pole awning flat against the caravan in Kerry last year and a fancy fibre poled tent on top of a families bodies lit by lightning storm.