Hi just bought a Troll 530 and looking for a good quality awning with space to sleep extra people. Just wanted some advice on a good sized awning that is not to difficult to put up. Thanks

Hi Mark

We have a Troll 540 so same size as yours. We have three awnings (but only use two) and an Isabella sun canopy.

For ease of putting up (and taking down ) air beam awnings take some beating. We have one of the first a Kampa PopAir and this came with some problems (that are well-documented on the Forum). The more recent models seem to have resolved these and are now called Dometic, like the fridges)

Importantly for your needs you can get a zip on sleeping area that fits over one of the side exit doors and acts like a small tent. Other makes do something similar. You can also get internal sleeping areas that are like a little tent and hang from the roof of the awning.

The problem with a bigger sized awning is the pegging down the awning & also the groundsheet that you need for warmth. This can all take time and be tiring.Also large poled awnings can have complicated pole setups and instructions.

Many of us have a big awning if we are going away for a time but also have a smaller lighter one or a canopy if we are just going away for a couple of nights on our own. Again there are lots of these mentioned on the Forum. We use a lightweight Sunncamp Vareo low awning which was designed for campervans but fits the Troll really well. This only has one flexible front pole and goes up really quickly and has not too many pegs to put in. We have been pleasantly surprised how well it copes with strong winds.

The other thing to factor in is weight - some are very heavy and take some lifting to erect .- this includes air beam models. Also the cost can vary massively, and some are very, very expensive.

Have a good look round and talk to other owners on camp sites before you make a really expensive purchase. There are some nice new ones emerging on the market all the time.

Good luck

MikeT