Hi Folks,

Completely new to caravans, but have camped several times over the last few years. Looking for some awning inspiration to go with a Triton. Budget of £1000-1500.

Not sure what’s good and what’s not? Steel poles, carbon fibre or air? What’s good value for money (expensive doesn’t always mean good value)? The main test will be pleasing Mrs T, so good quality, robust and durable. Nothing that will only last a year or so and nothing that’ll look tatty! We’re fit and active, so weight and bulk not so much of an issue.

Happy to take all advice, as looking at prices, mistakes could be costly!

TVM 😎

For up to three nights we use a Shadow. It gives us shelter to dry the dog if it’s raining or sunshade if we are lucky enough to be in sunshine. It takes 5 minutes to put up. For longer stays we use a Popair 340. It did take us a while to get used to it and the latest models are certainly better than our 2017 version. The sequence of erection is crucial. There are some good utube videos available. A stand-alone step helps to get the awning (which is heavy) up to the awning rail and be aware it is a two man job to thread it into the rail. BTW That step also means you don’t have to cut holes in the awning skirt. Then pump up the awning and peg it out. All done in about 20 minutes. Other awnings can look nicer but take longer to erect. One tip - but a pair of Dorema awning stoppers (eBay - £12) and they will stop the awning from pulling out of the awning channel which can be a problem particularly if there is any wind.

Thanks for this Colin.

In simple terms the answer is yes, we want one for the space and utility with the dogs. We’re also keen to avoid cooking in the caravan, so this would be a cooking area, as we’ve always done whilst camping. We’re also both fit and active, so pitching isn’t an issue.

Budget wise, we’ve allocated around £1000-£1500, so hoping we can get something reasonable? Kampa Pop Air Pro or Isabella Capri North have been mentioned, or the Isabella Air X-Tension drive away? I don’t know if you’ve any experience of these?

There a Fortex for sale £300 on the Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/eriba/pe...509218619247867

Screenshot 2023-07-31 222957.png - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)


Steve

we use a sunshade that came with eriba, it was 3 metal poles however 1 person could not put it up without the poles trying to crash into eriba! even with nipples on
so sew a channel on the sun shade and got 12 bendy poles (they are from amazon, threaded elastic through them). threaded the poles through channel ensuring pushed in right direct so not to come apart, a skill learnt quickly when accidently ejected poles wrong way.
found a pin on a circle https://www.amazon.co.uk/CUTICATE-Alumin...s%2C156&sr=8-14
to anchor the end poles to and pegged still have 3 guy ropes
the poles make an arch fabric follows it. we had it up in 40℃ last year. easy to put up and take down.
Awning wise could look into drive away awnings https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=drive+away+...s_ts-doa-p_6_18
just be aware some club sites have a size limit and fire gap,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Colapz-Camping-...1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 we got this one as a project utility space for garden it actually goes up and down quite quickly due to poles being attached not the name. no window due to its initial purpose. 1.5metres square foot print so tiny compared to awnings.

After looking at all the alternatives, we opted for a 2nd gen (post 2019) PopAir Pro 340 (bought new) for our Triton - with zip on bedroom annexe and sunshade on the front. It has been (and continues to be) brilliant for us - we even use it on weekends away. It is heavy to install, though - and two people make it much easier (one to feed and one to pull, however I have done it on my own twice. I'm 6' which probably helps and haven't needed to use a step or box. If you don't need the annexe, or the sunshade, and have a pre-2010 van, then the Gen 1s go for low prices if you look carefully and are prepared to wait.