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beagle

been thinking for a while about buying an awning, but..

1. Got to pack it away before driving off for a day out (unless standalone)
2. What if it's raining? not sure I'd like a wet awning rolled up
3. View from the window - we have big side window, but an awning would hide the sky

I'm wondering if a better solution would be a gazebo - good to keep things out of the rain, can leave it on site, won't affect the view, cheaper too. And with a removable side panel or two, good windbreak whatever the wind direction...

Have I overlooked any obvious disadvantages?

SandJ

ScotJimland

beagle

Hi Steve

what i meant was, with a gazebo if it's raining it can stay behind while you drive off for the day, but an awning would have to be rolled up into its case, wet, and stay there (and I wouldn't have room to open it out at home if our holiday ended on a rainy day)

SandJ

Hi again
I have a stand alone awning and had to put it away wet. Well it was rolled up for quite a bit (I forgot) when I used it again it was ok.
To be honest I would not have bought it with what I know now. (Pain in the arse to put up)
You can but stand alone safari rooms I believe, not sure about strength.
Try a Pm to whistlinggypsy (Bob) I think he has one.

Good luck

Steve

johnandcharlie

I've got a Movelite driveaway awning. It's been up for a week when it's been pretty dry and warm, but a bit windy. And guess what the weather was like when I took it down this morning Crying or Very sad

. I gave it a quick wipe over with a towel to get the worst of the rain off it, but it was a bit wet when I packed it. I put it in a plastic bag to keep the water off the rest of the stuff in the bag. I'm spending tonight and tomorrow on different CLs, and don't know if I'll put it up at Lickhill at the weekend. If not it will be interesting to see what it's like when I put it up next.

I'm quite pleased with it. It takes about 15 minutes to put up, and I've only done it twice so far, so will probably get quicker. The connection to my van doesn't make a very good seal, but it certainly allowed me to keep the sliding door open well into the evening, and kept the wind and rain out of the van. It doesn't take long to connect and disconnect it from the van. I'll use it whenever I'm on a site for more than a couple of days. I also didn't find it too difficult to line the van up when I'd been out, especially using the reversing camera to line it up accurately with my trailer! It makes a good extra space for Charlie too, and makes dog cleaning easier.

TinaGlenn

We used to take a 3x3m gazeebo with net sides with us when we had our old trailer tent, it made a great eating and evening sitting area, mozzie and midgie proof. We did take it away with us a couple of times when we got our first van but I didnt like leaving it on site, and it was not good when it got windy as not able to use storm ties.
For our 2nd van we brought a stand alone awning, and have used it once, it has been in the garage for the past 3 years.
I have been looking at the sun screen/shade panels that clip to the roll out awnings, but Glenn says no more room in the garage Shocked

and he point blank refuses to take windbreaks Confused

It is great that there is so much freedom and choice in what you can buy/take to make a tiny indoors space in the great outdoors Laughing

Tina