After due consideration between the Sunncamp Swift Verao and the Vango Bondi Low we chose the former :- Vango v Sunncamp

Today we took advantage of a fine spell of weather to try it on the Eriba Troll for fit. There were a few concerns that we needed to address.

1) Was the quoted minimum height of 1850mm too high? Our van is 1800mm and although 50mm doesn't sound that much by using trigonometry it would mean that the side walls of the awning would have to slope by a staggering 430mm a side to retain the gap from ground to bottom of the side drop. In reality however, the side measurement is slightly less than 1800mm so no spread was necessary although we did slope by about 100mm with no problems.

2) Roof sag and potential pooling. We worked out what we thought might be a solution a few days ago.

3) Flapping side walls where they fit to the side of the Eriba. Again we worked out what we though might solve that and Mrs R got the sewing machine out a few days ago.

The Installation

After cutting the grass we had to move the Troll slightly down slope and swivel it to clear the Puck L stored alongside it. We also had to try and work parallel to the ground which is sloping away from the van. By doing so, our van was level front to back but was slightly down of the non door side which further exaggerated the slope of the ground.

We used an oversize plastic tarpaulin to try and keep the awning clean.

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Using the very good instructions supplied with the awning, we were quite surprised how easy it all went together. By far the hardest job which was a right pain, was fitting the ladder straps to the shaped plastic retainers around the bottom of the awning.

Bearing in mind the slope we found that the awning was very forgiving and fitted very well. Front opening door poles are not provided by we have a wealth of poles from all our old tents.

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Roof Pole

Not provided and using the accessory parts number on the Instructions, it came up as not being recognised by Sunncamp. The instructions also talk of roof pockets to accommodate a pole but the only thing on the inside of the roof are 2 qty 15mm plastic rings (one front, one rear) dangling from a loop of strapping.

Using some of our stock of fibreglass tent poles, we worked out a length before cutting one end and fashioning a hook at the other end to fit into the "coachman's loop" fitted in the centre of the Eriba awning rail.

The result was promising except that we need to shorten the pole by about 50mm. We didn't use the plastic rings as they were too small but used the loops that they hung by.

I wonder if roof sag and water pooling is a problem? We'll have to wait and see.

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Flapping Side Walls

Using 8qty 15mm plastic rings and 4 qty plastic toggles from our stock, Mrs R proceeded to sew 4 rings equispaced down the edge of the side wall of the awning but only from ridge to where it meets the underside of the Eriba (not the ground). Also ring no. 1 and ring no 4 were about 300mm from top and bottom.

We then sewed a toggle to the 4mm ridge bead that is underneath the 6 mm ridge bead that slides through the awning rail, ensuring that the toggle sits in the corner of the roof/side join.

Taking 2qty 40mm offcuts of 6mm ridge bead, 2 more toggles were added and these were threaded through the awning skirt channel to sit in line with the awning side walls.

Again from stock, we took some 4mm shock cord and threaded it twice through the rings sewed to the side walls and, adding 2qty additional loose rings through the shock cord, we hooked them into the top and bottom toggles making sure that there was enough tension in the cord to hold the side walls to the van and prevent flapping, before knotting the shock cord..

We then cut and notched our 700mm deep awning skirt to the correct (measured) length, so that the notches fitted against the 40mm ridge bead offcuts with toggles.

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Pool Noodles

We have 4 qty pool noodles on their way to us, each is 1500mm long. (thanks to a sound idea from Colin, Fishcultureman).

These noodles will be cut to around 1450mm long to suit the length of the shock cord drop, before being sewn into two figure of eight ripstop nylon bags, and slid behind the shock cord to be used as draught excluders.

We will show you photos of these when they arrive.

Overall Impressions

We are very happy with the quality and the way it's all gone together but are well aware that this is NOT the answer to a full, all weather awning. Great for touring however and we intend carrying it with us along with our Isabella Shadow sunshade.

Randa

Yes, that's the bit that's about 2" too long Dave so we need to cut it back.

The sewing by the way is very basic. To sew rings and toggles on either the Sunncamp or Vango you'll only need some short lengths of bias binding tape and hand sew them on.

Randa

I think they are sturdier than we think. We have the earlier open Swift version and it has taken a hammering. Early 2019 we pitched up on an exposed hillside in Devon and were subjected to a storm that rocked the van throughout the night. It contnued the next day and whilst out we later found the site owner had been trying to warn us and get the awning down. It made a hell of a noise through the night but all guy ropes and pegging stayed intact.
We should have realised as looking back the car was only getting high 20's mpg instead of high 30's mpg when towing into the wind on the way down.

Colin

Colin. I think your open version is a good design as the strong winds can blow under and through it. When we used to use our homemade Coleman flysheet which gave a good deal of side protection against the rain, it would stand up to very strong weather. Its achilles heel was that the fabric eventually became weak due to UV because of prolonged used abroad. We had two in total and each of them lasted two years or 20 weeks of continuous use.

I worry that these ripstop awnings will do the same. Thinking back to the several ripstop tents we own, each one broke down after about 6 years, in those days of full time employment, the equivalent of 18 weeks of strong sunshine.

Mike. What we used to do in our tenting days for extra ventilation in inclement weather was to open up the front hatch back type door but rather than keep it open with 3 poles per side, we would reduce it to 2 or even a single pole. Enough to stop the rain running inside the tent.

Randa

Quote: Sportique wrote in post #7

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Hmm. not sure if I have the courage to put a needle through the awning fabric, I'd be afraid it would tear or leak

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The noodles have arrived and are now bagged up. Just need to wait a few weeks for another break in the weather before trying them out, cutting them down a little and sealing the bags.

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Randa

So noodles are positioned. Very pleased with the result. Ready for our next adventure.

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Randa

Nice fit. Well done that lady with the pink Crocs.

Colin

Note! We decided not to run them to the ground as there would be no back support for them. Also, over that shortish distance (about 350mm) we can get a lot of tension on the side from the ladder pegging along with a slight "run through" of the awning skirt.
Randa