Drive away awning

[Baden87]

Can anyone help me re; drive away awning which ones seem to be the most popular and what do I need to know when it comes to sizing
thanks

 

[David and Sally]

Air awning or poles? We have had both but prefer poles.

Does the roof come out from the van level enough for the hab door to open enough? Too steep a roof will stop door opening.

Height? Needs to suit your van. Low or High?

We have an Outdoor Revolution Movelite that we bought 2nd hand a few years ago and is nor really on it's last legs but I would buy another.

 

[68c]

David and Sally cover the most important parts. For me weight is an issue so need to some research. The heaviest are probably the inflatables followed by steel poles with fibreglass poles the lightest. How and when will you use it? I found the inflatable best in high winds, only problem with steel frame is if bent by high wind it stays bent. At least the inflatable and fibreglass poles bend to a degree although well worth having s spare fibreglass pole. Inflatable the easiest to erect. Is it going to be slept in, handy to have seperate hanging bedroom. I do not like sewn in ground sheets as they are hard to dry and kill the grass if up for more than a week. Some sites only allow breathable groundsheets.

 

[AndyPK]

Do you REALLY need one......???

 

[Andacami]

As above really. Just bought an awning off an auction site and did a LOT of research beforehand. Also met a really nice couple at the recent New Forest show who gave advice on why they choose theirs; we liked the look and it was attached to a similar Motorhome so we went down that route.

I looked at a lot of the Attwoolls videos and manufacturer websites for further details and there is plenty of help if you have a Broken Link Removed.

Bear in mind we did not want drive-away (principles broadly the same I guess), after all the research and thinking, key for us was:

• It had to be Air, easy to put up, and importantly, takedown
• It had to fit where it was not obstructing windows/doors/lockers
• Not too big, we only wanted somewhere to sit if necessary and dump gear and bikes
  • No point in going up a size just in case as this only adds weight and effort to put up/takedown
• It would actually fit in the Moho when packed away
• We would be happy with 2nd hand if necessary

As for size:

• Important to understand your needs and determine the area you can live with
• There are set height ranges for attachment, so it's important to measure from the ground to your final attachment point (on the van or rollout awning)
  • Find the height size that your height sits in as you will need to adjust for extra height if leveling
• Width and depth is up to you and determined by the point above about the area

As to what is popular/best/worst... Everyone will have their own opinions, my final options were to go with the Thule QuickFit system as it seemed to be a perfect match for my Thule Awning (obvs) and easy to set up and takedown or, go for a well-reviewed known brand that met our requirements that would also attach to the awning.

The result was we got an unused 2nd hand Kampa Motor Rally Air Pro 260XL.

• 260 = 2.6m wide
  • The Rally range is 2.5 deep for all widths I think
• XL = 265 to 280 attachment height
  • We are just over 265 without leveling ramps
• The extra appeal is that Kampa (now Dometic and with considerable price increase too) do a range of accessories in case I can't be cured of upgradeitis

Having looked at new and alternative models, I actually think I got a good deal as of course price (value for money) is also a key factor.

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[David and Sally]

Do you REALLY need one......???

We do. When on site for 3 days or more we like the extra space and weather protection.

 

[Kirsten]

we hava a vango airway Idris 11 [the tall one they make a shorter one] It is excellent- easy to put up/deflate- packs in a biggish bag and can go anywhere l or r on the wind out awning. Easy to remove the van from it and a good foot of leeway to get the van back to it . We have not used it often but it is a great sunshade in the sun [first time] and wind/waterproof [second time- with grandkids in the inner bedroom bit.
IMO the height is the important bit ; it could be half the lenght of the van or almost the whole length. it could be a bit longer than the wind out awning but yes as David and Sally said you need to make sure that the door opens. If you are on uneven ground dont use chocks on the awning side as this may make the van too high to open the door .

 

[Andacami]

... If you are on uneven ground dont use chocks on the awning side as this may make the van too high to open the door .

That's a really good point and another score for the Kampa as it has a dual-slopping roof arrangement with the bit by the door being flatter and higher (in theory).

 

[AndyPK]

We do. When on site for 3 days or more we like the extra space and weather protection.

...which is why we use this - but it’s not a drive away, so wouldn’t really be suitable for the OP....

 

[rich g]

We have a Quest screen house 4'x4' just the right size for bikes & table and chairs
and you can just drive away + easy to erect.

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[Reusables]

Can't be arsed with them personally.
We use a event shelter from decathlon.had it about six year.still.looks like new.
Throw all the tables and chairs bikes and BBQ In and zip it up .
Paid £100 for it.and takes 15mins to erect.

 

[mitzimad]

weve also had all sorts but now use a quest pop up adjacent to the van

 

[David and Sally]

...which is why we use this - but it’s not a drive away, so wouldn’t really be suitable for the OP....
View attachment 503240

We only got a drive away cos it was second hand. If replacing it we would go for a non-drive away as we never go offsite with the Moho.

 

[the1andonly]

We have a smaller taller version of this airbeam awnining (having moved from a campervan to a tall motorhome.
love the extra space an awning gives
we rarely used the Fiama on a small van use it occasionaly now. Glad we didnt get a privacy room.

Outdoor Revolution Airbeam Driveaway Campervan Awning

Outdoor Revolution Movelite Kombi Air Beam Driveaway Campervan Awning ideal for smaller motor homes and van conversions, Mazda Bongo VW T4 T5 T6 Net Weight – 30.9kg Pack Size – 90cm x 55cm x 45cm Movelite Kombi Rear Adjustable Height – 180-190cm Width...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Leakylunar]

We bought a Movelite drive away air awning to suit our T5 . Mainly for using at sites if we are there for 3-5 days for the gear and dog if weather bad.
I personally hate drive away awnings to much faff much prefer to wind out awning and wind break as we go out most days and for our T5 takes a lot of space up when packed .