Sunncamp Air revolution 390+ Awning.

[trevor.r]

I put the awning up for the first time yesterday. Its brand new.
This morning two of the main struts and one of the cross struts had deflated. Re inflated and seem to be staying up.
Also its soaking wet inside with water dripping from the roof. Really not usable. Does anyone have any ideas?
These get rave reviews so I must be doing something wrong.
Regards T

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Trevor.

You have a problem with condensation.

Condensation is the result of warm air absorbing moisture from thinks like us breathing, any open flame such as the gas hob or oven or heating pots or kettles which boil and produce steam. If this warm air is cooled such as coming into contact with a cooler surface, the cooler air can't carry as much moisture so it deposits it as condensation.

You can't stop this, but you can minimise its effects by increasing ventilation.

Now I don't know the construction of your awning , but to make an airbeam airtight, it must be impervious. If the whole awning is manufactured from the same material then firstly it wont allow air to through it, and secondly it won't allow any moisture to wick through it (under capillary action) to disperse any condensation that does form.

As I wrote, ventilation is the solution.

Don't forget that typical sources of moisture are the air we breath out, and in some cases the fridge exhaust vent exits inside the awning. Also when you open the caravan door, the warm moist air will begin to move in to the awning, so things like the gas used on the hob, and any boiling such as kettles or cooking pots will load the air with moisture. As the awning is outside it will be cooler than the inside of the caravan and will make an ideal surface to cool moisture laden air to condense excess moisture.

 

[brian_c]

Hi Trevor I have a Kampa air awning and like you I had one of the poles sagging the first morning.
What I found is that whilst the inflation inlet valve is of a non return type mine did weep back a small amount. In itself not a problem because mine has a screw on lid with a sealing washer. My issue occurred because I didn't *** this lid up enough. By *** it up I mean finger tight then perhaps another half turn. Since doing that each time, I've had no further problems.
Perhaps yours has a similar arrangement.

With regards to your water problem I'm not realy able to offer much advice other than mine does probably produce more condensation in the morning than my previous awnings (although not in any way dripping) and I greatly reduce, but not totaly eliminate it by just leaving the door zips at the top slightly open to compliment the ventilation of course the fly screen prevents any flies etc.
However I feel my awning is still perfectly usable although I use my van throughout the winter but not the awning.
I hope you can sort it to your satisfaction.
Regards Brian

 

[Sproket]

I put the awning up for the first time yesterday. Its brand new.
This morning two of the main struts and one of the cross struts had deflated. Re inflated and seem to be staying up.
Also its soaking wet inside with water dripping from the roof. Really not usable. Does anyone have any ideas?
These get rave reviews so I must be doing something wrong.
Regards T

Trevor

When we got our Kampa it leaked as all awnings do through the stitching holes, so some of your water will be coming from there, it took three or four outings for it to get wet & then dry off and the stitching to swell & seal the holes.

With the Kampa Pro 330 I bought the extra roof lining, that now helps with the condensation, you can see it just above the windows, when it leaked when new, any water that dripped onto the roof lining was just dripped onto the floor at the front of the awning.

Have a look here under seams ..

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Trevor
We find that condensation is always worse if we are not using a groundsheet,especially at this time of year, I would recommend hard standing pitch with non breathable groundsheet

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Trevor
We find that condensation is always worse if we are not using a groundsheet,especially at this time of year, I would recommend hard standing pitch with non breathable groundsheet

Woodsie has made a very valid point, the ground also gives of moisture, and inside the awning will be slightly warmer than outside, which means the air will take up more moisture but when it touches the awning wall or roof, it cool it a bit and thats when the condensation occurs.

I always remember in my days of camping in tents:- The older canvas types where always more comfortable as the condensation would be absorbed by the fabric and wicked to the outside where it would more easily evaporate away either due to wind or sun. The advent of nylon or polyester materials often prevented this natural transfer leaving them wetter in side for longer.