When Is An Awning Not An Awning? (1 Viewer)

[HKF]

Just joining in on a thread about least used items in MoHos and one of the items mentioned was awnings. Reading this thread (and information os other websites) it's become apparent that an awning is not always an awning!

Awning can be anything from 'just the wind-out bit' to 'the wind-out bit plus sides and front'. Mostly in France, 'awning' means just the wind-out bit but mostly in the UK 'awning' seems to mean the wind-out bit plus sides and front Every day's a school day

 

[138go]

Our awning is just the wind out bit. Once you start adding sides etc., you're stuck to some extent. When we're away, we tend to go out every day. It's my idea of hell to spend time staying put.

 

[Guigsy]

Personally, just the 'wind out bit' is a canopy. Put the sides on and it's an awning.

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[ManTheVan]

We interpret ‘awning’ as our wind-out Fiamma and other structures as “side tents”, based on our camper van days.

 

[gus-lopez]

Personally, just the 'wind out bit' is a canopy. Put the sides on and it's an awning.

No the canopy is what the wind out bit forms.

 

[Guigsy]

No the canopy is what the wind out bit forms.

I've looked at definitions... you're right. An awning is a canopy.

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[Vanman]

The pro's and cons of wind out awnings ...

Pro's - they seem like a good idea - who wouldn't want a bit of shade that travels with you?

Cons - they take up payload (if you have 500kg free payload and it weighs 50kg it is taking a 10th of it)
Some sites charge extra for awnings - the width the van takes up with it extended
They can cause damage to your MH if left out in the wind
They can rot if put away wet
They can catch on trees etc - closed extra width
They dictate which way round you need to park at some sites
You can never find the tool to work it ...
You can't drive off and leave your swag in it like a pup tent ...
(these are the ones that spring readily to mind)

 

[Guigsy]

I've got tons of payload, but virtually no storage. Hanging most of a tent on the outside of the van is a good solution for me.

Plus they take a minute to wind in and out. Even an inflatable takes many times longer.

For me, I only make occasional use of the wind-out, mainly as shade. I'd never bother with a drive-away awning because I just don't stay in one place long enough.

 

[Lizi]

On the Caravan and motorhome club site, they ask if you want to book a pitch with awning or without. I usually booked an awning pitch as we often wind out our awning (but don't use sides etc). On closer reading I found that the wind out canopy doesn't count as an awning.

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[Guigsy]

On the Caravan and motorhome club site, they ask if you want to book a pitch with awning or without. I usually booked an awning pitch as we often wind out our awning (but don't use sides etc). On closer reading I found that the wind out canopy doesn't count as an awning.

So I'm not the only one that's confused by whether I'm allowed to wind-out!...

 

[Clarky]

If only we had enough sun, combined with very light winds, to wind the awning/ canopy out.

Richard

 

[Guigsy]

On the Caravan and motorhome club site, they ask if you want to book a pitch with awning or without. I usually booked an awning pitch as we often wind out our awning (but don't use sides etc). On closer reading I found that the wind out canopy doesn't count as an awning.

Is the justification is that full-on tents damage the grass, so they charge a bit extra? Or is it just space required?

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[tonyidle]

Is the justification is that full-on tents damage the grass, so they charge a bit extra? Or is it just space required?

It's to cover the cost of occasionally having to take a pitch out of service I'd assume.

 

[Westbarn1]

Got a 5 m wind out awning on mine, okay it’s out at the moment, as it’s 34 deg here in Croatia, BUT, On reflection Id rather just have a 6mm rail fitted on both sides (lighter, less obstructive ) and carry an awning sheet in the garage

 

[The Coops]

We bought a big parasol and base as you can move it around the van as the earth does its orbit around the sun so you are not sitting on the same side of the van, in the event of strong winds, just wind it down, and if the *hound* decides it wants to go and be fussed by anyone, it does not cost us £65 for a replacement leg as the lead and dog wipe out the support. Its 15kgs for the parasol, base and the weights are filled with water on arrival total cost via flea bay £80, A 3.5 mtr awning, fitting, weight and replacement 10 times more! Downside? We cant have a privacy room, can't think of any other negatives just positives! Not as wide, does not rot, more flexible, not as much weight but does take up a little bit of space in the boot. worth a look at as an alternative Oh and you don't get charged on sites as you can take it down in 10 seconds!

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[Debs]

On the Caravan and motorhome club site, they ask if you want to book a pitch with awning or without. I usually booked an awning pitch as we often wind out our awning (but don't use sides etc). On closer reading I found that the wind out canopy doesn't count as an awning.

I'd say that's going back to when it just used to be known as The Caravan Club & an awning would be a fully enclosed room attached to the side of the caravan.

As far as I know there's no extra charges for the different pitches, some just have a bit more space. Again, thinking of a caravan, car to one side & full awning to the other as opposed to just a MH or caravan & car.

I know that they added 'Motorhome' to the title a few years ago but they basically think a MH is the same as a caravan.