to get an awning or not! Forums

chuggalugs

We are waiting for the summer to decide if we want an awing or not probably a fiama fixed to the side.

I'm not shure what the point is if you havent got sides which due to space is not an option. I assume its as a sun shade?

There is the idea of 'marking your territory'?

Has anyone regreted or wondered how they survived without it?

twooks

We have roll out sun blind type, and it generally gets used when:
1. we want some shade from heavy sun
2. we need to 'mark' pitch against encroachment from caravans with 4x4 plus awning [bigger or at least same size as 'van plus wind break plus dogs / kids / adults [including wardens] taking short cut to whereever it is they need to go so frequently that we are apparently blocking.
dontknow

3. also comes in handy for drying towels etc or airing bags if we have been way for a while
[PS went looking for an appropriate smiley - why is this one tagged sex? sex

am I missing something?]

If you intend staying on one site for a period then 'drive away' type look like a good idea.
Cool

dodger148

We use a 3mtr square gazeebo more than the awning (for your info Classic Marquees at Frodsham) It has sides and is of the expandable type. There is a picture of it next to the van in my photos on this site.
It also has the advantage of being a pitch marker. It wasnt cheap but is well made and ours is the aluminium framed version which packs into a quality bag and will fit in the luton of the van for travel. If its nice weather and we arnt moving I will wind the fiamma out which is the same size and end up with a large van extension

autostratus · Moderator

[quote:7249fd67e7="twooks"]
[---- why is this one tagged sex? sex

am I missing something?]

[/quote:7249fd67e7]

We have no way of knowing, please address your questions to a more appropriate web site.

Very Happy

Gillian

chuggalugs

Thanks for the replys

I probably have the same ideas as you all but needed reasurance (Dont ask me why lol)

We only use sites as night stops but will see when the summer comes.

BTW Tooks...... What exactly were you trying to say with the smiley!! Embarassed

Oh and GILL............... "allright meduck"

Anonymous

I did post earlier asking about awnings but no-one replied. Sad

We need an awing as there is not a lot of room in Frisky, & we need somewhere sheltered for the dogs to sleep.

Prefer the idea of a free standing one to a wind out so that we can go out without having to pack everything away, we do tend to stay on the same site for at least a few days at a time.

twooks

Sorry Caz, I did see your post, but thought you would be looking for info on 'proper' awning not roll out blind - and I haven't the faintest idea about them. A work colleague used to use one - similar reasons to you - 2 adults 2 kids 1 dog, but I haven't seen him for a while. Also know they are popular with NL vans with fixed roof - only time they can stand up I guess. Looks too complicated for my simple mind.
Saw Dodgers gazebo in photos - thought it looked really smart!

As for the smiley, Embarassed

just my natural curiosity [about the smiley] and the red wine.
Razz

am currently using lap top and animations don't always work, wondered what I was missing. [yeah - the smiley Embarassed

]

dodger148

Caz, I have to admit the gazeebo is a pain to cart around if we dont store it in the luton so could understand your problem. I have seen some smaller self supporting units that people use for storing wheelchairs/scooters etc also for check in desks at rallies. Dependant on size of dogs, ie not Great Danes they would be ok for sleeping quaters for the four legged members of the family. If you saw what I was trying to explainb you would recognise

autostratus · Moderator

Apasher

If you expect to be sitting/lunching outside in the sun then an awning is a great piece of kit.
But what type?
The Fiamma and Omnistor type which are permanently fixed to the side of the van and wind out, usually with a detachable handle are very good.
Some also come with detachable sides forming a full awning complete with door and window, at a price of course.
We have the Fiamma Zip of this type which came as part of the van package, and spent over 3 separate months with the van and never ever felt the need for the zipped sections which we didn't even take with us because of the weight.

The permanently fixed ones are not cheap.
Have you considered the removable type which Fiamma sell under the name Caravanstore.

We bought one of these for our Royale and found it more than adequate.
It is mounted in an awning channel specially fixed to the van. The awning which they market as 'the awning in a bag' is slid into the channel when you want to take it with you and has locking bits to prevent it sliding out while you are travelling.
To put it out you first unzip the long bag which keeps it clean and ready for action. There are short velcro strips which prevent the awning unrolling and these are opened and it's then unrolled by hand for about 5 feet until you are able to slide from each end, the legs and tensioning rafters.
Putting it away is just the reverse of this but a second pair of hands is almost essential as it's more fiddly fastening the velcro strips then the unfastening. The other point is the height from the floor to the suspension point. It may be necessary to use a step to reach it but it obviosly depends on the occupants height as well as the height of the van.

HTH

Gillian

twooks

re carting these things around, a friend of ours bought van with bike rack, which they don't use for bikes, but carry stuff like the awning on it, as long as it's long and thin it seems secure. Have also seen awnings rolled and chained onto rear step.
Have been throwing camping magazines out and noticed review on awnings from Practical Mhome from end of 2001. It's probably out of date, but if anyone wants it let me know.
Cool