Awning or no awning - that is the question ....

[GrahamCardiff]

Hi Funsters
We’ve got a 6 metre Sunlight PVC and we’re pondering the pros and cons of getting an Vango , Outwell or similar drive away awning. We’ve got a Thule Omnistor roll out awning fitted already.
Trying to work out if it’s worth investing in another piece of kit that takes 45 minutes to put up and then take down
All views welcome!
Thanks
Graham

 

[PeteH]

Interestingly. I too went down the same path. I have a Vango drive away as well as the Roll-out. I find that we tend to only use the Drive-away when staying on site for more than a few days, It is however extremely useful if the weather is "inclement" giving more protection than just the roll-out and is less susceptible to wind. speed.

 

[GrahamCardiff]

Thanks - yes I can see the benefits of it if staying for a few days at one spot in the pouring rain! ? Which model did you opt for? The Thule add-on seems incredibly fiddly , but would welcome views from anyone who’s got one

 

[Jev88]

Just used my caravan derived 3.9M air awning to house two guests on camp beds and worked a treat. Takes about 30 minutes and uses the rail in the roll out awning. Not designed for a MH but works for us and was only £75.
It is not a drive away as when we pitch we walk, cycle or bus locally.
As said above we tend not to use unless staying more than one night.
I am very interested in the Quest 6 sided pop ups though for pure speed. We would miss the physical connection to the MH but if you are umming and ahing go for the Quest pop up first? Stands alone so can be treated like a drive away.

 

[Clickem]

Having had a bad experience with a wind out awning, our recently acquired van does not have one. Having read many threads on here we have just bought a Quest Popup gazebo - yet to be tried out

What the Quest does not do is connect to the van or have any means of giving cover, so that when the weather is wet you can use it as a porch

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[mitzimad]

tried awnings and safari rooms but have now got a quest easy to erect and suits us

 

[PeteH]

Thanks - yes I can see the benefits of it if staying for a few days at one spot in the pouring rain! ? Which model did you opt for? The Thule add-on seems incredibly fiddly , but would welcome views from anyone who’s got one

I have a earlier version of this:- <Broken link removed> which I got at The Harrogate show, (2017) it was the previous year model and came at a substantial discount as a result.

 

[tuscancouple]

We have an awning that is used when staying somewhere for longer than a few days. It does provide much additional space, especially when raining and ours when erected correctly can withstand some serious winds. Surprised me this year when it was still where we left it the night before!

Downside when erected is that whilst it will attach to the PVC (drive away type) it doesn't work well with the sliding door.

We don't take it when we're not planning a long stay somewhere.

Mick

 

[Grianan]

Everyone has different views on awnings. We’re relatively new to all this but just back from 2 weeks in Germany - mainly on Stellplatz but 3 campsites. We used our roll out awning a lot. Didn’t use our windblockers and wouldn’t have used a drive away/standalone.
I can see a use for them if staying on a campsite in inclement weather ... in fact you’ve given me an idea for October when I want to go away but my son needs his own space to revise for Prelims. I’d get a quest or decathlon version.
One thing I love about my PVC is opening the side door wide to let the outside in. For that reason I’d want a stand-alone not a drive away.

 

[GrahamCardiff]

Everyone has different views on awnings. We’re relatively new to all this but just back from 2 weeks in Germany - mainly on Stellplatz but 3 campsites. We used our roll out awning a lot. Didn’t use our windblockers and wouldn’t have used a drive away/standalone.
I can see a use for them if staying on a campsite in inclement weather ... in fact you’ve given me an idea for October when I want to go away but my son needs his own space to revise for Prelims. I’d get a quest or decathlon version.
One thing I love about my PVC is opening the side door wide to let the outside in. For that reason I’d want a stand-alone not a drive away.

Wondering if a pop up tent would be easier than an awning ? ?

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[GrahamCardiff]

We have an awning that is used when staying somewhere for longer than a few days. It does provide much additional space, especially when raining and ours when erected correctly can withstand some serious winds. Surprised me this year when it was still where we left it the night before!

Downside when erected is that whilst it will attach to the PVC (drive away type) it doesn't work well with the sliding door.
View attachment 325158

We don't take it when we're not planning a long stay somewhere.

Mick

We have an awning that is used when staying somewhere for longer than a few days. It does provide much additional space, especially when raining and ours when erected correctly can withstand some serious winds. Surprised me this year when it was still where we left it the night before!

Downside when erected is that whilst it will attach to the PVC (drive away type) it doesn't work well with the sliding door.
View attachment 325158

We don't take it when we're not planning a long stay somewhere.

Mick

what type of awning , Mick?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Another vote for Quest or similar pop up ?

 

[GrahamCardiff]

I have a earlier version of this:- <Broken link removed> which I got at The Harrogate show, (2017) it was the previous year model and came at a substantial discount as a result.

Thanks - how long does it take to erect?

 

[tuscancouple]

what type of awning , Mick?

It's a Vango Cruz 111. Has three air beams so really easy to put up. Only comes in a small or large however and as small is too small for our PVC's had to settle for a tall which does leave a bit of slack material and as said before it doesn't work well with the sliding door so we just roll the unused bit up!

Mick

 

[Candapack]

Something to bear in mind with a PVC is that one of the benefits is the big sliding door. With a drive away awning attached, you're looking into a tent.

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[bungy]

after much pondering on the quest front (on a quest one could say!!) we have just ordered the new screen at malvern show

Seems a big step up from the previous versions as the sides are now attached and it has a zip around the front which is for a soon to be released driveway awning attachment

 

[PeteH]

Thanks - how long does it take to erect?

Never actually timed it. but I reckon 1/2 and hour give or take, on my own. The basic "tent" goes up quickly With the "air beams", but strapping and pegging takes some time, connecting the strip to the `van can be a bit tricky.

 

[Paddywack]

Thanks - yes I can see the benefits of it if staying for a few days at one spot in the pouring rain! ? Which model did you opt for? The Thule add-on seems incredibly fiddly , but would welcome views from anyone who’s got one

Not only do I have one but its for sale and at a bargain price!

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...front-panels-makes-a-nice-little-room.202848/

Its from our previous PVC and doesnt fit our new Hymer which has a Dometic wind out awning. The first couple of times you put it up it does seem fiddly but once you get the hang of it it becomes a breeze - we could put it up in ten - fifteen minutes. The best thing about it is that it makes the wind out awning so stable - you no longer need to worry about the wind.

Little video here of how easy it is

Interestingly with the new Hymer we were going to go down the drive away route and purchased a Vango Hexaway which I'm less than impressed with and will be selling in the near future (it's too tall for your van). As with all things motorhoming it's a compromise and we have just found the Vango too heavy, a pain to dry out if it gets wet - with the Thule panels you can dry in a lot less space - hang them over the washing line. With a PVC you will also have a problem with the sliding door, we've found a similar problem with the Hexaway and our door on the Hymer - can no longer open it properly. We also found that once parked up we didn't feel the need to drive elsewhere and try to find a parking spot for a 7m van - so we just cycle or walk / bus pass kids it.

When I sell the Vango I'll probably invest in the Dometic "Camp Room" the equivalent of the Thule set up we had.

 

[scotzsue]

We have a vango Kela 2 tall, gets used, as sleeping accomodation and a play area in inclement weather when we take the grandkids away. also a peaceful place for me when they are watching TV or DVD as a calm down before bed. Also for guests sleeping at folk festivals.
We have taken it away with us a couple of times, but only really used it when John was recovering from radiotherapy. We do have a front sheet though which we use quite a bit when away and unless we have driving rain it is usually possible to sit out.
do like the pop ups though and would be very tempted if we didn't already have the Vango.