Porch awning

[X5Neil]

Hiya.
Having just had our first ever weekend away in our new van which we enjoyed more than we ever thought we would and cannot wait till our next break in less than two weeks.
We have a Isabella full awning but for weekends feel this is too much to put up for just a weekend.
So is it better to get a good quality isabella porch awning as I have read on some forums that they form a better seal to the side of the van and do not flap at night in the wind or is there a better alternative out there please.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Kindest regards
Neil

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hi Neil . Have a look at the Kampa 292/390.there are several of us on the forum that have bought these and everybody else recommends them as well.It is these awnings that are talked about alot on here if suppplied with stormpoles you get the snug fit and they are lightweight
Sir Roger

 

[Martin24]

we don't get any drafts to speak of from our bradcot porch, quick and easy to errect single handed with the easy alloy frame.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi Neil
the Kampa is a good porch and highly recommended, as are some of the frame types like Martin's. but to be honest I would have a good look round for the best deal and pick something light and easy to erect,
we have a porchlite plus similar to the sunncamp it weighs 10kgs and can be up in 10mins from the bag. there not for everyone of course basically a dome tent that fits over the door. but it keeps the rain out of the van and somewhere to hang the wet coats when doing a stop over or short stay,

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Neil
We have had Isabella and various other porch awnings over several years and yes the Isabella was the best,we now use a Quest Kensington,which we find very good,our solution with all our porches is to get the upright poles near the van as close to the van as you can and then we fit the thicker of the 2 sizes of pipe lagging around the poles. You need 4 lengths, 2 for each leg, we find this keeps the poles snug against the van without doing any damage and it keeps the draughts out.

 

[otherclive]

We use our Isabella for stays of around 7 days or more. The porch awning is a lightweight one that we bought about 4 years ago and is so much easier to dry out, and in early spring andlate autumn it is used in preference to the Isabella. It is larger than a traditional porch more like the size of the Isabella Magnum so we can still sit out and eat without being tight for space.

 

[forestgump]

dorema maxima go to dorema factory clearance get it half price have the seal pads ,

 

[X5Neil]

We use our Isabella for stays of around 7 days or more. The porch awning is a lightweight one that we bought about 4 years ago and is so much easier to dry out, and in early spring andlate autumn it is used in preference to the Isabella. It is larger than a traditional porch more like the size of the Isabella Magnum so we can still sit out and eat without being tight for space.

Thanks Clive. But which one do you have now please?

 

[X5Neil]

Many hanks for all your responses much appreciated
Neil.

 

[otherclive]

Neil it is a Romany Basecamp but they are no longer made and I can of even find one on EBay. But it is around 3.5m long and approx 2.4m deep. It looks just like a conventional awning in that the roof slopes gently away from the van and gives good headroom throughout its internal area which is what makes it so convenient, as well as its quick drying too.

 

[otherclive]

Neil
If you Google Romany Basecamp awning you will see a result from kiasorento proboards which shows you what the awning looks like. There is one for sale in Friday ads in that same search. The ad was dated 12 Feb so you never know. Don't be put off by low price as I only paid £65 for mine as new. If I am honest it tends to get used in preference to the Isabella as its so damn light and erected in 10 minutes. I tend to have to force myself to pull the Isabella from under the stairs! But it is useful when there are more than us two as then the smaller awning resembles my shed.

 

[JTQ]

We use an Isabella Magnum a universal awning like a large porch; their satellite company Ventura does a near identical one, the Marlin, at a lower price. With these it is best to measure the van to see if it can be fitted without a side running down over a window. Whilst they can fit over a window that has issues over time of fretting micro scratches in the window and to my eyes it looks naff anyway across a window.
These awnings as you would expect from Isabella [and the price] are of exceptional quality and ours since purchased in 2002 has effectively replaced the full awning. It is not too much hassle for a week end and large enough for a fortnight for us. It is very easy to put up and can comfortably be done by one person. It is substantial enough to be left up in near any weather. I would highly recommend it if you plan to caravan for a good few years; it is well made that buying secondhand presents minimum risk.
Being a universal awning it is likely to be usable across many different vans providing the ‘window issue’ does not happen, which can be a long term money saver.
You can add one or two side annexes for occassions where you need extra bedrooms or garage for bikes etc. There is now a very simply erected annex, though we have the somewhat clumbersome though very good old annex for when we take our grandson.
Caravanning with kids over a certain age works very much better if they sleep out of the van in their own, adult free space

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Neil
Our Isabella Magnum porch awning does the job for us. Over the years we have tried a number of different makes from real cheapies £99 to a half decent Dorema Toronto.
The Izzy is by far the easiest to erect and I find the carbon x poles very light but strong. It has three removable doors , two side and one front. The front can be used with a veranda pole which is great on hot evenings.
The fit to the caravan side is snug . Ok the Izzy isn't cheap but for simplicity and quality it does take some beating. Check out 2nd hand models. They are out there.

 

[X5Neil]

Many thanks for your thoughts
Neil