OK - so right now I am totally off full awnings in all shapes and sizes. Whilst asking about the AL porch awning a number of folks mentioned that they just use a sun canopy of some sort and the more I look at this the more it makes sense when I look at how we like to do things.

The Shadow looks to be a very simple device. From what I can tell the side nets will act as a windbreak and sun screen, not sure if the front net is actually practical or no. We're not site sitters, so the shelter/shade is generally needed mid p.m. onwards when we get back from sight seeing trips.

However I do have some questions about both these canopies.
My 2017 Triton 410 awning rail is flat for about 2.7m. The Shadow 3m seems to be the logical length but will then stick out either end of the rail. This makes me think it will suffer from pull out when tensioning the guys but perhaps not - puzzled. The 2.4m would mean that fitting a side would either cut down the window or block the door depending on bias. Are nay late Triton owners using a 3m Shadow?

The Wigo Vision looks nice, but there's very little dimension information so I cannot tell what rail length it may work on. What bothers me is that looking at photos it doesn't seem to be creating much shade in what seems like a noon time photo judging by the shadows. It looks more like a lovely curved sun-trap. OTOH the clever roof fitting thingy could be handy on sites where the pitch is a bit too narrow to allow the long guys.

From what I recall the Shadow is pretty stable even in windy conditions - probably moreso if you can tie down the middle point and shorten the poles quickly and easily.

Any guidance gratefully received.

I have both the Shadow and Vision for our Troll, and my views are:-

I regard them mainly as large umbrellas rather than sun shades.
We never seem able to put the Vision up, without having water collecting on the top causing near collapse.
Our Vision doesn't have windows, so all is dark, and I miss the view around the campsite.
Nothing is easier than the Shadow for putting up and taking down quickly, especially when the wind picks up.
Can't comment on your length, but I wouldn't fit anything where the ends stick out past the awning rail.

For us it would be the Shadow every time. I've only used the Vision a couple of times and it now sits in the shed lonely and abandoned. In fact, if anyone wants it for nothing, send me a PM.

Cheers Mark

VISION CANOPY

some info here (seller is a member of this forum.)

https://www.caravancanopyshop.co.uk/collections/eriba-canopies-and-awnings/products/vision-eriba-caravan-canopy

I now have 4 sunshades and a porch awning in pursuit of what is best for me as a single traveller who does most of his caravanning in the summer months.

First............... sunshade versus awning? awnings almost always need 2 fairly fit people to put up and take an hour or two to do so, this in my opinion makes them impractical if touring and moving on every 2 or 3 days, they are however useful as another largish room for longer stays.

Sunshades hmmm lots of debate on here about those including some from me, never found one yet that was any good in windy conditions in fact most makers instructions (when there are any) tell you not to use them if its windy. however if buying one that comes with side panels and a front panel and you choose all those bits too it seems a bit like having an awning anyway.

As said depending on the orientation of both the van and the site you can end up with not a lot of shade anyway but you can lower poles a bit when it rains and the water will run off, and for weekends and multi stop touring they are relatively quick to put up and pack away again.

As for which sunshade ............... now thats the big question ................ its whatever you think will be best for your needs, we are all different and have different ideas of what an awning \ sunshade will be used for varying from just sitting in to sleeping dogs or even people in.

In conclusion there is no such thing as the perfect awning \ sunshade they are all like a lot of things in life a compromise and need to be looked at as such.

But being a Troll, mine is obviously longer

Hi mark, have PM'ed you

The Fiamma Caravanstore doesn't get many mentions in the canopy/awning posts. I've always thought it was the best for shade or shelter and if the wind gets too strong it can be rolled away very quickly. Paired with a quality windbreak it's almost a full awning.
P1000734.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

I use my shadow sun shade for long weekend breaks as it only take s a few minutes to put up. At night time or if we are going out for the day I will take it down just in case the wind gets up, it's very easy and fast to put back up as I leave the pegs insitu. Personally I would not leave a sun shade up unattended if strong winds are due, we left ours up one night and it was catching the wind very bad, I don't think a lot of yanking at the awning rail in strong winds would do it much good over the long period. Anything more than 3 nights I will use the AL Porch awning, most awnings you can take the front or the sides out if it gets too warm anyway.
If your planning to do short stop overs then it would probably make sense to get the sunshade first and you can reassess if you need an awning at a later date.

Hi Mark
just wondering if you still have the vision canopy or if you gave it to the other lady ?

I have an Isabella Bologna Unico with additional sunshade and it is a magnificent piece of kit. But whilst I have found this to be pretty much a one-person erection it does, as Hob so accurately points out, take time and effort to put up and take down and if you are moving around a lot it can be a bit of a pain.
I had an Outdoor Revolution drive-away awning as I thought it would be quicker than the Isabella to put up and take down when not touring with the wife but what a mistake that was. Possibly the most awkward and infuriating device I have ever owned - now sold.
I have recently purchased an AL/NR full awning for a Triton 320 which I am hoping will act as a slightly larger 'porch' awning on my 540. Will be using it for the first time next week when I bimble of to the Lake Ditrict for a couple of weeks walking and will report back.
BUT (sorry for shouting!) if I had my time again I would definitely (I would like to have put that in capital letters too) purchase a Thule safari resinence room because:
1. It's attached to the van so nothing to lug in and out of the car.
2. It looks really really quick to put up.
3. You can use it as a sunshade only and that looks like it takes seconds to put up
4. But you can turn it into a full awning if you want to and it looks so easy to do so.

I shall contine to use my 'proper' awnings but when I get too old to put them up or they get too worn out from years of use then it'll be the Thule jobbie and absolutely no arguement!

Hi, I purchased a WIGO Tour canopy from the Caravan Canopy Shop, having said that they no longer seem to market this canopy. It's great as it allows either end to be pegged down as a wind break, it can also be configured to pin down slightly differently. It has 3 poles, either end pole can be omitted and the corner of the canopy can be pinned to the ground in a triangle shape so it's very flexible.

IMG_1567[1].JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

To be honest, I almost bought the Oministor 6200 fixed to the roof but this canopy does what it does and more. I have also left the middle pole shorter to drain water from the canopy if it rains. I bought the Triton (shorter than Troll I have as it is plenty long enough). It cost £299 inc shipping.

Colin

Does the zipper bag not get in the way of closing the door?

The WIGO tour that I have doesn't live in a bag on the side of the van, it slides into the awning rail, like a normal awning.


Colin