Where can I see Awnings on display

[nanachris11]

Hello,
We are off to sunny(?) Cornwall at the end of this week. While we are away, we are planning on buying a new air awning and wonder if anybody knows where we might have a look at some on display. I've tried googling but it hasn't produced much. We are mainly interested in the Dorema air weathertex and the Kampa rally pro.

B) :cheer:

 

[Thingy]

If your are looking to do it in Cornwall, Penrose touring have a display, but its not massive. I would be inclined to pop into Highbridge Caravans who have a larger display,
Highbridge Caravan Centre Ltd.
A38 Bristol Road,
Highbridge,
Somerset,
TA9 4EX,
United Kingdom.

 

[nanachris11]

Thank you thingy, will give them a go.

 

[Thingy]

I would really do my homework on air awnings before you take the plunge. There is now quite a range of them and depending what you want to spend, a range in quality too. For example, some are made from the thin plastic/nylon canvas that very cheap porches are made from, whilst others (Kampa Pro Range) are made from a heavier material somewhat akin to a traditional awning. Some, again like Kampa, have only one air insertion point, others need to infalte each beam seperately. When picking a size, try to find one that either stops short of, or completely covers your side window. Apart from being annoying, its a surreal expeience to look out the same window and get two different views. There is also a school of thought that the awning continually rubbing on your window will/can cause scratching.

Hope this helps.

 

[nanachris11]

Yes, I know what you mean. I've been looking at air awnings for a long time but we are only just able to afford to buy one so don't want to make an expensive mistake. We've had the usual pole awnings in the past so have an idea of what we do and don't want but it's always good to see them in the flesh on display so you can compare. I don't like to walk around being nosey and staring at other people's awnings on site but have asked somebody on site last year who had the Kampa air awning and were very pleased with it. We've seen them since on site and they do look good. We only want a porch awning big enough for a table and chairs with some room to keep coats, and the dog's bits and pieces really and it's an extra space if it's raining for drying off the dog! We used to have so many arguments putting up our old awning and it took ages. I like the look of the Dorema Magnum Air Weathertex air but can't seem to find one on display anywhere. It's a bit cheaper than the Kampa but Dorema is a good make, though I would like to see it before committing to buy it. I've not seen one on site I don't think but we haven't been able to get away much this year yet. Also, the Dorema's tubes all inflate separately so if you do have a puncture you aren't going to lose the whole awning while you find and repair the hole. I don't know what others think or if anyone has a Dorema Magnum Air Weathertex and can comment.

 

[saint-spoon]

Why not have look around the camp site and see what other folk have got and what they think of their awnings? I have a Dorema Magnum Weatherttex 390 and it isn’t a bad piece of kit at all but you do have to pump up each pole rather than them all being connected and there are spreader beams that valcro into hold the main supports in position. It has held up to some pretty high winds well and I have no complaints. Technically it is still a proch awning even though it goes two thirds of the length of our caravan. I like the look of the Kampar Rally pro as well but not owning one I wouldn’t like to comment on quality or ease of erection.

 

[Mike_S]

We're off to (hopefully a sunny or at least dry) Much Wenlock this weekend and test our newly purchased Kampa Air Ace awning. You don't say what part of the country you going to Cornwall from. We bought our awning from Glossop Caravans who had a good range on display (about 30) and were very helpful.
Mike

 

[nanachris11]

Thanks for that saint-spoon. My thinking was that with the Dorema having separately inflatable poles if you got a puncture it wouldn't affect the whole thing. I must admit to leaning towards the Dorema at the moment but haven't actually seen one in the flesh.

 

[nanachris11]

We are off to St Austell/Fowey and Sennen Cove.

 

[Thingy]

Separately infaltable poles doesnt make it more secure from leaks. Those with one inflation point often have isolation valves so you can just replace or repair the leaky pole.

We are off to St Austell/Fowey and Sennen Cove.

Exeter then St Mawes leaving Sunday.

 

[nanachris11]

Thank you. I didn't know that.

 

[Mel]

Renishaws in Clay Cross have quite a few on display, although rather crammed in. However Clay Cross is in Derbyshire, not near Cornwall.
Mel

 

[Thingy]

Renishaws in Clay Cross have quite a few on display, although rather crammed in.

Thats an understatement B) It was modelled on Sangatte.

 

[Beehpee]

I have the Kampa Fiesta air pro which I've only used once but found it really easy to put up, it's plus points in my opinion are.
Good quality material as it's the same or very similar material as traditional awning not the light weight nylon type.
Single inflation point but with isolation valves that you close after inflation so only part would go down in event of a leak.
Plenty of room even with the 280 I bought as its 275 deep which I may be wrong but I think is deeper than lots of others.
Fixed curtains that Velcro into position with a pocket at the bottom that it tucks away into when rolled down.
Option to fit annex to either end if required.
All sides can be opened in the unlikely event of us getting a real hot summer.
On the minus side it's not the cheapest about but you get what you pay for, there's various extras you can get for it, roof lining, organiser that attaches to a pre fitted beading and a canopy that attaches to the front so if that summer does arrive you can get some shade, none of these extras come cheap but at least the option is there.
I'd score it 10 out of 10 after the first use, whether this will change only time will tell.
BP

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Are the leg lengths adjustable to accommodate for sloping/uneven pitches? If fixed length then will only be OK for level sites.

 

[Beehpee]

The legs aren't adjustable but if the ground were to slope away from van then both front legs would simply be lower with the roof having more of a slope on it, Vicky verse if sloping towards van or front to rear etc, obviously with a really uneven pitch you could have one leg on a high bit and one on low, I'd have thought it would still go up but with a few odd angles on the roof, do any of the air awnings have adjustable legs?

BP

 

[Dustydog]

Looks like Cornwall will be a busy time next few weeks. We're at St Mabyn.
The Rally Air Pro will be with us. Ideal for this time of year and so easily erected. It is susceptible to poor pegging. Pegged in the wrong places can do it more harm than good. Mine withstood a hell of a two bad batterings at Christmas and last November. See previous threads for pics.
The inner tube is not what you think nor is the middle tube. One is a heavy duty polythene bag the other a gravel bag type material. I suggest if you get one also buy a roof lining to allay the condensation and do use the extra poles to seal it against the side of the caravan.
For light to medium weather I give it 9 out of 10. Storm weather .... well why damage it.
It really is easy to put up. Enjoy.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The legs aren't adjustable but if the ground were to slope away from van then both front legs would simply be lower with the roof having more of a slope on it, Vicky verse if sloping towards van or front to rear etc, obviously with a really uneven pitch you could have one leg on a high bit and one on low, I'd have thought it would still go up but with a few odd angles on the roof, do any of the air awnings have adjustable legs?

BP

If the 'sides' of the awning have fixed shapes then the roof of the awning does not change its slope. For ground sloping down away from the caravan the outside of the awning could be up in the air. If the ground slopes upwards then the bottom of the side against the van may not touch the van because the outer edge is held up. In all cases the side profile is 'hinged' at the awning rail. Adjustable legs compensate for such variations and I believe some air awnings have some adjustment on the legs.

Page 3 this Kampa brochure has diagrams showing exactly what I'm trying to say in words.

 

[Mel]

Renishaws in Clay Cross have quite a few on display, although rather crammed in.

Thats an understatement B) It was modelled on Sangatte.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Beehpee]

Hi WC, I understood what you meant about fixed shape sides and I agree, but surely all awnings have fixed shape sides whether pole or air awnings, the poles referred to in the Kampa brochure as being adjustable are adjustable in the same way with an air awning as there isn't an air beam at that point and a traditional adjustable pole would be used if and when required, on the single use I've had with my Kampa there was little or no wind at all so I didn't bother to put those poles in at all but if I did use them I would adjust to fit. I do think it's always going to be something that will forever more have people who love air awnings and an equal number who hate them, personally I'm not a big fan of any type of awning and use one more to keep her indoors happy than anything else but I've tried traditional and now air and if tomorrow's vote was for air or poles my vote would go for air, one other thing I like about the air type is not got the risk of dinging the caravan when erecting it which I bet loads have people have done at one time or another, myself included.

BP

 

[Beehpee]

Oops just looked at Kampa link again and they are referring to the front legs, oh well my awning erecting on perfectly level pitch isn't that wonderful so I'll just put up with it being slightly worse on unlevel pitches, like I said they're a pain in the butt whichever type you go for.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hi Beehpee. If its not too late for you Jacksons Of Old Arley have a good selection of Awnings and probably the best accessories shop you will ever find . And a nice meal available to boot .
Regards Sir Roger.