Hi all,

I'm sitting in my Puck L at Kelling Heath, Norfolk at an Astronomy event, bemoaning the lack of an awning in which to store my telescope etc. We do have a Soplair which is great but heavy and, I find, almost impossible to erect on my own in anything other than totally still wind conditions.
I did put up my simple sun shade type awning, well pegged down, but the wind was just a bit too strong and it soon got baggy! and it's not really the same as an enclosed awning.

Has anyone got any experience of, or can suggest, an easy for one person to erect enclosed awning? My next winter away is in March so a couple of months to decide.

I have been looking at the Kampa/AL inflatable awnings and wondered if that's the way to go? I phoned Norwich Camping, who seem to be the main dealers for Kampa, and they advised holding off buying one until reports had come in from early purchasers concerning the pros and cons, maybe good advice considering the cost? What they did say, however, was that they were good in strong winds as they tended to collapse slightly then pop back up if hit by a strong gust.

Chris

Hi Chris,

If you are put off by the price and/or the lack of report regarding an inflatable awning you may well consider a Khyam quick erect motordome awning. They are not the most beautiful accessory for an Eriba but they can e erected by one person (after one has gained the knack) and they will stand up to weather that even the soplair type find too much to bear (memories of an Eriba meet in Wales where several awnings and canopies were destroyed including Randa's but our Khyam was still intact). We also have a Soplair but only tend to use it for stays of longer than a week our Khyam is now at the end of it's tenth season and is beginning to show its age with regard to UV degredation but it is good for another year or two. Have a look in the Picture Gallery under Eriba awning (page 2 near the bottom) and you will see various options.

Denise & Phil

http://www.vango.co.uk/gb/low/408-kela-iii-low.html

We purchased this last year as our 1976 (ish) Eriba Awning was getting a bit much for my disablity to put up. A few pumps of air into the Vago air beams and it's up, almost free stands.

There are lots of video's on the net although showing two people ( I refrain from saying erecting) putting it up I'm sure one can do the job just take a little longer.

Phillip.

We loved our khyam motordome classic so much that we bought another when it was worse for wear. The latest model is a bit higher and can be a little tricky when putting it up in wind so 2 pairs of hands are needed in these conditions . The newer model has more windows and doors and we can highly recommend it.

Hi Phillip

Been spending my time surfing the interweb waiting for it to get dark. I came across your awning and to me it looks the best option, and cheaper! I like the connecting section which can be zipped up, ideal for the portapotti? Btw all the videos I've seen have shown one man erecting ( ooh err missus 😳) it so don't think that would be a problem!

Having looked at rhe videos for the new Khyam/AL awnings and the Kela I can't see any advantage to the former, because of the more flexible connection to the 'van I take it that uneven ground is easier to deal with?

What size Eriba do you have., on mine the awning rail is 3m long, do you think it would be long enough?

Decisions, Decisions - I wonder if I can find a Black Friday deal?

Chris

Hi Ellen,
Our posts crossed!

Being able to put it up alone is vital so leaning towards an Air Beam type.

Chris

We have a 1992 Eriba Puck, so the rail is close to 3m, we find the rail hight our issue well I say that, its the fact the rail is a bit worse for wear part way along it dose not make a good tight fit to the fixing canopy, hence we get a small amount of back flowing rain water come in. But I'll remedy that at some point.

All these inflatables are very much the same, I found the Vango just has the edge with all the little extras you get, window blinds, inner tent, ground sheet built in, rip open front, pockets and even an electric cable flap.

Enjoy which ever way you go.

phillip.

Hi Phillip,

Luckily the awning rail height on mine is 1.84ish m so a bit higher than yours I think so that should be ok. I wondered about the length of the rail as the awning is 3.10 wide so there would be 50mm over on each side but don't expect that would be a problem.

Now to persuade SWMBO 👍

Chris

Hi Chris we have the vango kela awning and find it great no poles to juggle as I'm in charge of putting up and packing away solo a part from directing advise from the boss it is easy and not to bulky to store away we have used it on a motor home the eriba and vw camper so it's flexible the longest time is spent pegging out but that is the same with all awnings .
You don't get the just in the awning as you step out of the van because of the connecting tunnel bit if that makes sense ,but that extra space is valuable to pop all the bits and bobs into and keep the sitting area clutter free its got built in ground sheet all zipped in curtains all self contained the only thing we found that you have to check when positioning you leave the door top clear we marked the edge so it stops clear there a picture set up in the gallery hope this helps with your shopping
Caz and Paul

Hi Phillip, Caz and Paul,

I made an error on my awning rail length, it is 2.5m long not 3m. 🙄 The rail is high enough at 1.84m but I am told by Attwoolls, who are a main dealer that because the rail is only 2.5m long it won't fit. Measuring along the line of the rail to the edge of the van totals about 2.7m as it curves around.

How does it fit to yours Phillip? Do you take it round the back and front of the 'van? Caz & Paul, how long is your rail? Do you have any excess length to deal with?

Perhaps somebody knows of a narrower type?

Chris
.

Hi Chris the rail is the length of the van 10ft can't think in metric (Trition ) and we position it so clears top door and over window
Caz and paul

Thanks Caz& Paul,
10ft just over 3m, so I don't suppose you have any excess coming out of the ends of the awning rail? That is my concern though there are a few pics in the gallery of Pucks with these types of awning attached and they seem to be wrapped around the ends of the 'van. From what I can gather all of these type of drive away awning are 3.1m, approx 10ft wide.
I think it would probably be ok but looking for a bit of reassurance as to how it would fit with the shorter rail.

Chris

Now then 2.4m sounds about right.

All these drive away awnings are very much the same and they are a bit of a compromise fitting to a caravan, even more so an Eriba Puck being height challenged. our reason for the Vango was my disability the fitting is a still ongoing task, we just bought one of them figure eight connecting strips to play around with.

I dont mind the low height next to the puck as you have to duck your head in and out of the door anyway, just a case of making it water tight as the canopy runs back from the ridge to the caravan.

g8p846-Vango-Sapera-Airbeam.html#viewport
g8p848-Vango-Sapera-Airbeam.html

We've also got one of these.
g8p589-Retro-Puck-awning.html

The other thing is the Vango having built in ground sheet, sites that only allow eco ground sheets you could only use it on hard standing not grass.

Hope some of this has been helpful Chris.

Phillip

PS: I see you've already got reply and seen the gallery pics, sorry I'm slow.

Maybe some confusion here between a Puck and a Puck L ?

Chris Not sure how much room you need for your telescope?

The A L porch awning will fit a Puck L and I can put mine up on my own.

http://www.automotiveleisure.co.uk/Awnings.html

See it in the gallery

g99-AL-new-porch-awning.html


Looked at the Kelling Heath site on the web a while back after seeng some caravans next to the railway while I was on the steam train, looks a good site might try it some time.

Hi Hob,
I need something a bit bigger than a porch awning as I'd want to put a table and my chair in as well.

Re Kelling Heath, lovely site, very dark! The facilities are ultra modern with automatic loos and electronically controlled showers and, best of all underfloor heating, lovely and warm. There is also a big Steam Engine / Fairground museum nearby which may tickle your fancy?

Chris