Which Awning

[AngelaPettigrew]

I am a first time caravan owner and just purchased an Adria Altea Eden 472 DS 2017 caravan. I am looking for an awning but totally overwhelmed with all the types out there. I know I need a 925cm awning but does any type of awning do?

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Are you are sure you want a full length awning?
If so, more breathable material costs more money, and better quality zips to open doors and windows costs more money. It is a bit of a minefield as to whether or not to go with an air awning, or the traditional pole type, so good luck and hopefully you'll find some good advice on YouTube as well as on here.

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Also, perhaps have a drive to a local caravan site and see if there are any you like the look of.
We bought a small ish air awning that I can put up in about 20 mins, and thought I'd never crave for another....... until someone pitched next to us a few days ago with an awning that had me googling within minutes for where I could get one.

 

[otherclive]

Isabella are the top brand and new and used prices reflect that. I’ve a number of Dorema a mid range one and both as full size or porch they have been good for all seasons usage. Then there are lighterwight lower price ones. I’ve always used poled awnings with steel, aluminium or fibre poles. I like them because you can carry the poles seperately from the canvas. But there are many who use air awnings and wouldn’t change.

In our last 10 years I moved to a porch awning. It was a perfect condition pre owned Isabella Magnum. Compared to the previous full size awning it still accommodated four plus two dogs. If i had wanted it would have taken an annex for additional bed space. To my mind the biggest advantage was I kept the awning when the caravan changed. So minimising nugatory expenditure and retaining an awning that was exceptionally good. You can also readily obtain spares for Isabella even for older models. There are dealerships that have awning displays to look at. Also CMHC classifieds are another place to look.

 

[Mel]

Take the decision in stages:
Do you want a full awning or a porch awning?
Then
Do you want air or poled?
Then
Do you want heavy duty to leave up for long spells or quick and lightweight for short trips?
Then
What is your budget?

When you have some idea if these things take yourself to an outlet with a range of awnings on display (eg Attwolls) and have a good look around.
Take your time; awnings are expensive.
Good luck
Mel

 

[Hutch]

Take the decision in stages:
Do you want a full awning or a porch awning?
Then
Do you want air or poled?
Then
Do you want heavy duty to leave up for long spells or quick and lightweight for short trips?
Then
What is your budget?

When you have some idea if these things take yourself to an outlet with a range of awnings on display (eg Attwolls) and have a good look around.
Take your time; awnings are expensive.
Good luck
Mel

Nice explanation Mel.

 

[Kevin M]

Id advise to have a walk around a couple of busy caravan site and see which awning takes your fancy, have a chat with the owner perhaps.

 

[borderbilly]

Or go 2nd hand 50lb ers.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

I'd think about how you plan or need to use it. We opted not to have one having watched lots of people struggling to get them up. Fun for us to watch but never looked like much fun for them!

 

[RogerL]

I'd think about how you plan or need to use it. We opted not to have one having watched lots of people struggling to get them up. Fun for us to watch but never looked like much fun for them!

When we had our lad with us, we used a full awning for storing an inflable dinghy, bikes, etc but since then we've tried a porch a few times but it takes just as long as a full awning to erect and just remains empty so we don't bother now.

 

[SeaDog]

We had a Kampa 400 pro Air, very happy with it, but ten years later I find that trying to lift the awning from the car to the pitch at 38kgs. It is heavy. Now opted for a much lighter awning which is easier to handle.

 

[Beachball]

We also have gone for a poled Quest Falcon 325 porch awning it came with a awning skirt and pegs can be put up by one person minimal Quick fit frame . lightweight at present there a storage box and chairs .