Poled awning or air

[andy500]

We have a Bailey Ranger 500/5 and currently a Kampa Rally 200 awning
It's finally seen better days and the fabric is starting to go, had it a long time
So we're looking for another porch awning, a slight bit bigger and have narrowed it down to these 2 (looking at under £400 budget)

• Dometic Rally 330 Poled
• https://www.aeleisure.co.uk/dometic-rally-330
• £355
• Outdoor Revolution Sportlite Air 320
• https://www.leisureworlddirect.co.uk/outdoor-revolution-sportlite-air-320-27548713
• £379

We tend to stay most times at Camping & Caravan Club official sites on hard standing
I don't mind whether it's poled or air as am happy to put up either, just want the best quality for our budget
Would also look at getting uprights and monsoon poles if needed

We tend to go away in the February and October half term (Norfolk) and use it during the summer as well so wanted something that wasn't too lightweight and will be ok for the wetter/colder months

I was initially looking at the Dometic one then the Sportlite popped up and looked a good deal, as wasnt looking at air ones, as they didn't seem to hit our budget

Any help appreciated, thanks

 

[birdman101]

Having had both the pegging requirement amounts to the same effort The Outdoor Revolution was quicker to blow up than time putting poled awning up.
It also withstood heavy winds better by being able to flex about. Ours withstood 60 mph winds when poled awnings on site had collapsed. The only disadvantage was the weight when threading through the Caravan awning rail with the combined fabric and air tubes.

 

[Mel]

If you like Vango awnings then their outlet site Camping Recycled is worth a look. Refurbished or ex display at a decent discount. We got a tent for our daughter that was in excellent condition at a bargain price. You also get a further 10% off with CAMC membership.

Vango Camping Recycled | Save up to 60% on Tents & Awnings

Shop clearance, ex-display & refurbished Vango tents, awnings & accessories. Save up to 60% with free UK delivery over £50 & 1-year warranty.

www.campingrecycled.co.uk

Mel

 

[otherclive]

If you like Vango awnings then their outlet site Camping Recycled is worth a look. Refurbished or ex display at a decent discount. We got a tent for our daughter that was in excellent condition at a bargain price. You also get a further 10% off with CAMC membership.

Vango Camping Recycled | Save up to 60% on Tents & Awnings

Shop clearance, ex-display & refurbished Vango tents, awnings & accessories. Save up to 60% with free UK delivery over £50 & 1-year warranty.

www.campingrecycled.co.uk

Mel

I’d agree as I bought a Vango Beta XL tent from that outlet and it was hard to even distinguish it from a new tent. Excellent value.

 

[RogerL]

Having had both the pegging requirement amounts to the same effort The Outdoor Revolution was quicker to blow up than time putting poled awning up.
It also withstood heavy winds better by being able to flex about. Ours withstood 60 mph winds when poled awnings on site had collapsed. The only disadvantage was the weight when threading through the Caravan awning rail with the combined fabric and air tubes.

I'd suggest that whether an awning collapses in high winds depends far more on how it's been erected and pegged down than what type of awning it is.

 

[birdman101]

I'd suggest that whether an awning collapses in high winds depends far more on how it's been erected and pegged down than what type of awning it is.

Away 10 days ago in those high winds and two Awnings with metal poles opposite us were down with the roof poles bent,

 

[RogerL]

Away 10 days ago in those high winds and two Awnings with metal poles opposite us were down with the roof poles bent,

I've noticed that some caravanners don't tension their awning canvas properly - if they don't take it down in high winds then damage is inevitable.

 

[JTQ]

I don't mind whether it's poled or air as am happy to put up either, just want the best quality for our budget

With awnings that is most probably best served using your budget on a used, or better a hardly "used" high quality awning. Plus, we are close approaching the time of the year where money for used awnings goes further.

 

[andy500]

Having had both the pegging requirement amounts to the same effort The Outdoor Revolution was quicker to blow up than time putting poled awning up.
It also withstood heavy winds better by being able to flex about. Ours withstood 60 mph winds when poled awnings on site had collapsed. The only disadvantage was the weight when threading through the Caravan awning rail with the combined fabric and air tubes.

Thanks
How did they compare quality wise?
Did you feel one was more “premium “ than the other?
I’m fine with the weight of them

 

[andy500]

With awnings that is most probably best served using your budget on a used, or better a hardly "used" high quality awning. Plus, we are close approaching the time of the year where money for used awnings goes further.

Thanks
Any tips for what to look for in used awnings or watch out for?

 

[andy500]

If you like Vango awnings then their outlet site Camping Recycled is worth a look. Refurbished or ex display at a decent discount. We got a tent for our daughter that was in excellent condition at a bargain price. You also get a further 10% off with CAMC membership.

Vango Camping Recycled | Save up to 60% on Tents & Awnings

Shop clearance, ex-display & refurbished Vango tents, awnings & accessories. Save up to 60% with free UK delivery over £50 & 1-year warranty.

www.campingrecycled.co.uk

Mel

Thanks
The only one in our budget is this

Balletto Air 330 Elements Shield Refurbished

Professionally refurbed by vango service team. Patched. Complete in bag. 1 year warranty applies from date of purchase. Small tear aid patch on roof and a small patch on bag. A few dirty marks The perfect setting for unwinding on the campsite. The Balletto Air 330 featuring Vango’s...

www.campingrecycled.co.uk

Says patch on the roof and some dirty marks. So hard to know without seeing pictures, but presume it’ll be off a high standard if it’s been refurbished by them

 

[birdman101]

With the Air awning it took the two of us to get it started in the Awning
rail .Once it had started going along the top was fine. But on your own pushing it upwards if you let go a bit to get another hold to push up further it slipped down again with the extra weight, But once fitted preferred the Outdoor Revolution which actually is lighter than many Air Awnings,

 

[JTQ]

Thanks
Any tips for what to look for in used awnings or watch out for?

I have and would unhesitatingly recommend an Isabella Magnum, if it is a "quality" awning you are seeking. These are poled, now with carbon fiber reinforced tubes. The fabric comes in unzippable sections adding to its in use practicality and the ease of handling. The zipped sides also enable fitting annexes if needed.

These now come in varying sizes but ours 23 years old* is the smaller of the sizes, these older ones used GRP tubular frames.

* that in itself testament to the UV resistance as its been extensively used , in number of times and their durations.

 

[Dustydog]

I have and would unhesitatingly recommend an Isabella Magnum, if it is a "quality" awning you are seeking. These are poled, now with carbon fiber reinforced tubes. The fabric comes in unzippable sections adding to its in use practicality and the ease of handling. The zipped sides also enable fitting annexes if needed.

These now come in varying sizes but ours 23 years old* is the smaller of the sizes, these older ones used GRP tubular frames.

* that in itself testament to the UV resistance as its been extensively used , in number of time and their durations.

My Magnum is 20,years old. Carbon X poles which I believe are part carbon fibre and reinforced fibre glass. She has with stood Somme very high winds . As you say about pegging the Isabella storm straps and pegs are legendary. Never had a problem.
We still have an early Kampa Rallye Air in the loft with a failed bladder. The fifth one to blow.Kampa did send a replacement FOC but in truth we could t be bothered. Too heavy to pull through the rail. I believe with their new owner Dometic, these air awnings may be more reliable.

 

[Kevin M]

Our Isabella is very similar DD, great quality and easy to erect and peg down.
My main gripe with the Kampa Air Awning was the weight of it in the bag!

Kev

 

[JTQ]

Carbon X poles which I believe are part carbon fibre and reinforced fibre glass.

I would also believe that.

 

[Beachball]

This might be in your budget we have on our seasonal caravan at present
Quest Falcon 325 poled awning and so far it been brilliant last weekend there was strong winds and it stayed up someone else has got one now he was so impressed .

 

[Buckman]

The Dometic awning is a rebranded Kampa awning. Isabella or a Ventura awning are the nest and very long lasting. Even second hand they will last years.

 

[Ukdave2002]

Whatever awning you choose, I would recommend purchasing some screw in pegs, a godsend when you encounter hard ground, you will require a cordless drill, the pegs come with a drive socket.

 

[Buckman]

Whatever awning you choose, I would recommend purchasing some screw in pegs, a godsend when you encounter hard ground, you will require a cordless drill, the pegs come with a drive socket.

Cheaper to buy the screw pegs from Screwfix and you get a lt more. They are known as coach screws.