New awning

[Beehpee]

Morning All, well the caravan is now safely into storage, I've booked our first week away for early June so looking forward to that, I've still to get the alko hitch sticking problem I mentioned in another thread sorted but sounds straightforward enough, so onto my next query, being currently without an awning as I sold both my full and porch versions so as to get an air awning for an easy life I've now got to decide which to buy, I'm limited by windows in the caravan to a 260 so the question is do I go for a Kampa at £519.99 which seems to be the price wherever I look or firstly what are the advantages with the pro version of the Kampa which comes in at £600 or are any of the other makes as good as the Kampa, the only make I have personally seen in the flesh, so to speak as my sister has one, is the Kampa so any thoughts on other makes and models would be much appreciated.

Ta muchly in advance.

BP.

 

[Thingy]

See my thread on Air Awnings - some feedback. Some people love them, some dont. I tried and just didnt like it. However, if you are going that way, Im sure you would find the Pro much bettter but heavier. In my own experience, not only did i not like it, but also found it no easier to put up than a standard awning. There is a reason for this though. Being vertically challenged, I found it much more difficult to move through the awning rail than a standard. I have my own theories on why but havent yet had time to put it to the test.

 

[Hutch]

BP, I suppose it all depends on what type af caravanner you are. Longer stays in one place or a lot of weekends away. Two years ago we tried to put up our awning and managed to thread the the beading into the rail , the rest we pit into the local recycling bin!!!
We now have for trips upto 4 days a Sunncamp Air 260, easy to put up and fairly durable, about the £200 range. Why not go around a campsite this weekend near to you and have a look at what others have got up and explain what your after to folks, and get their thoughts.

 

[Dustydog]

BP.
Thingys thread tells all.
For your ease I say.
Go for Kampa Rally Pro.
Buy the ceiling lining.
I will not use the Kampa where storms / windy weather are expected.
The Isabella Magnum is used in poor conditions or long stays.
Basically they are complimentary but if I had to choose one it would be the Izzy as the best all rounder.

 

[Beehpee]

I like the sound of the idea of having a bit of a stroll round a site and getting some feedback off people and may well give that a try next weekend, been to busy today until now to even check for replies and out most of tomorrow so hopefully can sort something for next week, thanks folks, also I'll check the air awning thread, thanks again.

BP

 

[Beehpee]

I don't know if it's just me but if I want to buy something, whether it's for the caravan or home, the vast choice you are always presented with doesn't exactly make for easy decisions, so, regarding my getting a new awning I've bit the bullet so to speak and today bought a 2016 Kampa fiesta air pro 280, seen it on display at local dealers and it was £50 cheaper than I could find it online , I think they had possibly made a mistake mind you as when they scanned it into the till it came up at 550 but they went with the 500 price on the display, also bought the roof lining which will hopefully eliminate the condensation problem plus the storm straps, already have poles to go against the van so looking forward to giving it a try in 4 weeks time, can't wait, also regarding the problem with the alko hitch I replaced the friction pads which were well worn and all seems well there as well, just need to see if the storage place will let me try the Kampa on a trial run before we actually go away, I'd be somewhat urined off if I wait till we're away and then found there was a leak or other fault, will let you know the verdict on the Kampa after I've used it.

BP

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

also bought the roof lining which will hopefully eliminate the condensation problem

I don't understand how a roof lining reduces condensation.

 

[Beehpee]

Well maybe it doesn't stop the condensation so although it doesn't eliminate the condensation what it will do is catch the drips as the condensation tends to be on the awning roof rather than on the lining.

BP

 

[Rod_5079699]

Could somebody please tell me what causes condensation in awnings, I have always used Bradcote awnings and can never remember having a problem with condensation, we now own the Aspire air 260 and used it 3 times so far without any problems, we also caravan all year so the weather does not seem a problem , so I am just a little confused about this topic ??

 

[Thingy]

Its mainly the material. If you put a plastic bottle in the sun with an inch of water left in it, it will start to mist up. It has to be down to the more plasticky material in lightweight and cheaper awnings. Of course, lack of ventilation will have a detrimental effect too.

 

[Rod_5079699]

Hi Thingy, that`s the only explanation I can think of , we have only ever owned Bradcote awnings and although dearer than a lot on the market you only get what you pay for, and as with most things the cheapest does not always end up being cheap in long term, we use our awning for about 14 weeks a year and our previous bradcote is 14 years old and still o/k but decided on the aspire as a little treat. B)

 

[Thingy]

I have only ever had condensation in one awning, and that was the Kampa Rally Air Pro that I got rid of last week. Apart from that, two Bradcot, two Dorema and two Isabella have never suffered condensation.

 

[Dustydog]

Condensation in the Kampa is a pain . The roof lining helps.
Never have this problem with the Izzy

 

[Thingy]

Quality counts Dusty B)

Good job there isnt a secretive society for Izzy owners or you would be a what?? Woosie Izzy. Izzywossie, wizzy.?

 

[Beehpee]

Just had a week away and used the awning for first time, it's a Kampa Fiesta Air Pro 280, really pleased with it, went up really easy, used the manual pump that comes with it and inflated in no time, material is canvas type rather than the nylon that our previous Kampa rally used, I fitted the roof lining but I reckon if I saw half a dozen drips of condensation that it had caught it was probably all I did see, all in all a great bit of kit and completely satisfied, can't give any opinion on how it would perform in windy weather as the weather was great so didn't even bother with storm straps or rear poles.

BP

 

[Dustydog]

Glad it worked for you BP.
I'm using our Kampa end of June for two weeks in Cornwall.
But all autumn and winter trips will be with the Izzy.
Horses for courses.

 

[Hutch]

Quality counts Dusty B)

Good job there isnt a secretive society for Izzy owners

There iz but you don't know about it. :woohoo:

 

[saint-spoon]

can't give any opinion on how it would perform in windy weather as the weather was great so didn't even bother with storm straps or rear poles.

BP

Our Dorema something or other Air handled the wind and rain at Swanage last October and our Air framed Porch awning handles the storms over Easter in the New Forest no problems. Unlike rigid poled tents and awnings the poles flex because they are bags full of air.

 

[martindf3]

BP, I suppose it all depends on what type af caravanner you are. Longer stays in one place or a lot of weekends away. Two years ago we tried to put up our awning and managed to thread the the beading into the rail , the rest we pit into the local recycling bin!!!
We now have for trips upto 4 days a Sunncamp Air 260, easy to put up and fairly durable, about the £200 range. Why not go around a campsite this weekend near to you and have a look at what others have got up and explain what your after to folks, and get their thoughts.

We've got one of them as well . love it to bits , we've got a breeze 2 stage pump which can be limited to 4 lbs . So going to use it this weekend to blow it up . Kampa awnings ,which we have on order are up to 11 lbs , that's why we got the pump . Think it might "do me in!" blowing a 390 size awning with a manual pump .

 

[Hutch]

Just looked at those, the 12 volt one looks good, might get one, add a bit more to the nose weight, so will have to get a new griddle plate for the Cadac, to compensate and carry it under the bed.

 

[martindf3]

Just looked at those, the 12 volt one looks good, might get one, add a bit more to the nose weight, so will have to get a new griddle plate for the Cadac, to compensate and carry it under the bed.

........ This is getting to much of a coincidence . We've got a Cadac as well ,I put the pump at the front and Cadac at the rear . Only trouble with the pump is that you have to set switch off pressure ,every time the powers removed . 12v 7AH battery or cigar lighter plug in battery box wired straight to the leisure battery with a 20 amp fuse in it . Going to see which is the most convenient .