Hi all,
Bear with me, this is a long post 😂. I searched the forums a bit but I have multiple awning questions! Thank you for any advice you could provide.

1. We have a 2014 Eriba Familia 310

2. It came with a very small Thule omnistore. I don’t know what size (van is currently getting a maintenance check) but small enough so it doesn’t go over the door. So not the full length of the van.

3. We had been told by our dealer they could put an omnistore 6300 on it and then the Thule g3 residence. No surprise perhaps the experts here but yeah. It’s too big. Their mistake.

4. We thought ok, fine. We will leave the Thule on and then perhaps add a kampa air pro. New challenge. The awning is not mounted on the “roof” but rather on the brackets, meaning we couldn’t attach the air pro to the rail as blocked by brackets. Dealer said it’s a bad idea to remove the thule and remount of n the roof. I’ve seen it on other bigger eribas but he said it’s not possible with the familia.

5. So. We are a bit stuck. There do not seem to be side panel and front panel options for this very small awning. And even if there were the interior would be very small as the awning is small. Long story longer, my questions are:

A) are we putting too much thought into the Thule and should we simply go with the kampa air pro 290? Cons of this are we lose the roll down awning for short stops etc.
B) what is the biggest roll down awning that fits a 310 and can anyone recommend side panels/front panels?

C) is it really a bad idea to try to remount the roll down Thule on the roof and then have the rail free for the kampa?

Certainly not one answer to all of this but really more looking for advice. Including peoples’ views on roll down vs “tent” awnings.

Many many thanks!
Best
Ben

Dear Colin,

Many thanks for this and the forum tips also. These are better recommendations and guidance than our local shop given has in the course of multiple weeks! Very much like your thought on swapping sides for the roll-down canopy (and good to learn some of the different terminology used here). I also appreciate the rec for the Isabella canopy - seems also a good solution. Finally, yes - the Fortex is beautiful, and we’ll have to see if there are some available (we’re in Switzerland) at a lower cost, or go with the Kampa. Your pictures may have changed my mind though... Thanks again.

Best,
Ben

There is also the Walker touring plus, a well made awning from the Netherlands, usually available at a discount, it takes us about 35/40 mins to put up and peg down.
https://walker-awnings.co.uk/product/eriba-touring/
And as Colin said Obelink, the biggest camping shop I have ever been in, think Ikea size, underground parkin and all, you could say, if they haven't got, you don't need it.
Dave

Hi Colin, Dave and Randa,
Thanks a lot. This is all been very helpful info. I think we’re gonna lean towards the Kampa 290 (it’s available immediately) and think we will give this a shot. Also appreciate the insight in removing the omnistor. Great stuff!
Ben

All. Last newbie question on the kampa pop air pro 290. Am I correct that it fits into the existing “base” Eriba rail? In other words I don’t need to buy an attachment or something special to hook it to the Eriba? Thank you!

Colin is right about trying either end to put Pop Air awning in.............................

On our 2016 Troll, which we had from new, we always tried to put it in from the back of the van and at times we struggled with it. We then tried it from the front of the van and it went it much more easily. Always put it in from the front now. We give the railing a quick squirt of silicon spray lubricant before we start which makes it easier to slide.

The other thing to be aware of is that the Kampa Pop Air is quite a dead weight to hold up as you put the last metre in the rail although putting it down is a doddle. The other thing is to check that you have the bottom two air valves closed as you pump it up or you will just pump the air through it. This is easy to do if you don't watch out.

The Kampa Pop Air awnings are very robust in very windy weather, as the air poles give with the wind, rather than rigid poles that can be prone to snap.

Good luck

MikeT

Hi Colin and Mike. Thanks again! We’re finalising the order of the awning today. Appreciate it.
Ben