Stand alone awning questions Forums

Spacerunner

We had a Ventura drive-away awning on our last 'van. It is made by Isabella, so was therefore well made and substantial. It did take time and effort to erect and needed a small step ladder to reach the top fixings. No problem getting back alongside as the connecting tunnel is quite flexible. The real drawback was that once away from the awning it presented an enormous flat side to any wind that was blowing. Even with as many guys as possible it was always unstable when freestanding. We traded it in against an Omnistor Safari Residence when we got the new 'van. This has proved so much more weather and wind proof and goes up in half the time. Yes, I know you have to dismantle it if you want to go off site, but as always its compromises, but it suits our way of motorhoming.

skimbo

We looked at free standing awnings at the NEC last October
They have to be sturdy to withstand the wind so all the ones we saw were steel tube framed and very heavy to carry and mawks about with.
We decided to go for am Omnistor fixed awning with front and sides for our Rapido 7065+
If we want to go off site on afrequent basis we decided that we could detach the front/sides and fold up neatly and leave it on the ground
Extreme driving skills are called for to get close enough when you return to avoid embarassent fitting it back together
Alternativley we could stay attached and take public transport if we wanted to go into town
In any case if you are on the beach who cares!
Happy Wheels
Skimbo

rrichardd

we use a Khyam motordome awning. It has stood up to quite high winds 30 - 40 mph. Takes about 5 mins to erect IF there are only light winds. On the other hand, its failrly easy to take it down in winds up to about 15 mph.

Takes about 30 mins to peg out.

I don't attach it to the MH - just pull the tunnel top over the door by throwing guy ropes over the van.

We needed an awning and are happy this was the right choice for us. Its not too pretty but it works.

Regards

Richard

tomnjune

hi
we use a khyam motordome excelsior drivaway awning. it has a
inner tent,which we have used. it is so easy to erect, and fits on to the side of the van with figure 8 strips (if you have awning rail) our new van
didnt, dealer fitted one , as for driving off, just place a marker at the
side of the front and rear wheels, and on return get the better half to
watch you back. works every time.

pneumatician

There was me thinking I was the only one to think of the string trick Smile

Did have a fellow camper threaten to move my string whilst we were away and sit back to watch the fun upon our return. Thankfully he didn't.

When I am really on form I can even get the taps over the bucket.

Steve

GOVER

I bought a Kyam motordome.

It's great, lightweight, easy to errect and we have used it regularly until - a slight wind only 10-15 knots in sailing terms. This was sufficient to bend the Omnistor awning it was connected to. The awning had to be disassembled and straightened. Have used the Kyam since but now it is free standing only.

This means its a very expensive gazebo.

Gover

Smilo

pneumatician

Gover,

I guess one of the advantages of the frame tent type is that the Fiamma is only to locate it onto the side of the van and support the tunnel. It is not extended at all and therefore takes no stress.

When I was a proper camper (scout leader etc) we used string for all sorts of jobs and the slightly thicker stuff, rope. Used to build towers, bridges, etc we called it pioneering, great fun.

Smilo

Although it'll make the tunnel a little pointless I intend next time we use our Outdoor Revolution Nomad 3 to fasten it to our Fiamma Awning when it's wound out. I think that'll give us more of that (primitive) feeling of territory and make joining back up again easier too.

TravelBug

We also have a Kyham motor-dome excelsior. Is brilliant! Only takes about 10 minutes to pop up, no having to feed the poles in etc as its already done, it just kinds of 'pops up'. It can be done by one person but is easier with two. Then about another 20 mins to securely peg it down if like me you like to have all the guy ropes pegged. You can buy it in two different heights depending on the type of van you have and can buy an inner tent. It comes with plenty of guy ropes so you can secure it down well and one sides unzips on both sides and there are two poles to hold it up (a bit like a tent entrance) so it acts as a sun canopy.

Is so easy to use we even use it on our 'days out' as a sun shade. We attach it to the motorhome using a J Rail. We brought ours from ABC caravan and camping in Swansea, was £329 as it was the larger version. Also the tunnel that links to the van is about 3 ft deep and gives plenty of extra storage space. It is also free standing if you don't want to attach it to the van. Is easy to put up if you are short, like myself! Or not particularly good and lugging large heavy poles around. One other great aspect is the bag is comes in is Huge, so no trying to squeeze the thing back into its bag wh