Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
Caravan awning.
After many years of using a full size awning, then a porch awning I have come to the point when I think that a "Caravanstore" zip out awning might be worth considering.
The options are Thule or Fiamma. Prices are similar and style is similar. Does anyone have views, experience or comments on this type of awning? Thanks in advance.
13th Aug 2016 10:33 am
Adrian T
Member Since: 03 Nov 2011
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 46
Hi Thub, we like yourself have gone through the complete awning range and had a caravan store canopy for a while - found this to be good when the weather was good. My main gripe was when it got windy and it flapped up and down. Ours was one of the widest and had the centre support for the roof; this would lift in the wind then thud down onto the support, this drove me mad trying to sleep at night. Maybe a shorter length without the centre support would not have this problem. On the plus side, they are very quick to put up and take down, you just need to remember they will go mouldy if left rolled up wet for a long time. Also, there's nothing to store in the van.
We have gone back to a largish porch awning, a Bradcot Portico XL. If we want just a canopy, we don't fit the front and side panels.
Like many things in life, no one thing is best for every occasion.
Another who has been through the range of awnings over the years, went for the Caravanstor Zip back in 2009, still in use today, used mainly without the side and front panels. Can sweat a it if you use all the panels as they don't breath like a conventional awning as the panels are all plastic.
Still glad we bought it, simple to erect and put away, even when wet.
Regarding the wind getting under it and it coming down on the centre rafter, get a metre or so length of heavy duty adhesive Velcro, fit one side on the rafter and the other on the canopy, works a treat
13th Aug 2016 7:37 pm
BHH
Member Since: 19 Jan 2010
Location: Co. Antrim, N. Ireland
Posts: 208
We had a Kampa Ace Air 400 & recently sold it so as to get a Privacy CS Light for Our Fiamma Caravanstore & it's brilliant - the new clamping mechanism to stop the roof flapping works a treat & its so easy to store.
Def recommend this!
1st Sep 2016 3:35 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
wasnt there an issue with some 'vans that the weight of the stored Fiamma type units were pulling the awning rail off the side of the 'van, causing water leaks into the caravan.
Again, like some of you, we still have an Isabella full sized awning, but the last 2 summers in France we have only used the top as a shade from the sun. And we have a porch awning for autumn/weekends.
That pic has the sides in - but part of me thinks this is just like having just the roof part of our big awning up, although I think this canopy is lighter weight
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
Last edited by al cope on 1st Sep 2016 4:00 pm. Edited 1 time in total
1st Sep 2016 3:54 pm
Robster
Member Since: 17 Oct 2008
Location: Deregistered
Posts: 269
Washwipe wrote:
Another who has been through the range of awnings over the years, went for the Caravanstor Zip back in 2009, still in use today, used mainly without the side and front panels. Can sweat a it if you use all the panels as they don't breath like a conventional awning as the panels are all plastic.
Still glad we bought it, simple to erect and put away, even when wet.
Regarding the wind getting under it and it coming down on the centre rafter, get a metre or so length of heavy duty adhesive Velcro, fit one side on the rafter and the other on the canopy, works a treat
I have my very first caravan and so far only been out in it once, next time in a couple of weeks.
However, it came complete with a CaravanstoreZIP and I was amazed at how easy this was to put up, it is a bit more of a struggle for me to roll up on my own but it is do-able.
I did not fit the strut when I used it as almost no wind at all but when I tried it out at home I did notice the wind flapping the canvas about on top of the strut.
I love the idea of the velcro.
I will remember this and get me some in anticipation of fixing the problem before it starts.
To be honest mine also came with all the sides and front but I am really not sure if I will use the full thing as there is just the two of us.
Robin
1st Sep 2016 4:00 pm
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
Cant beat a pull out awning
Click image to enlarge
LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
1st Sep 2016 4:32 pm
BHH
Member Since: 19 Jan 2010
Location: Co. Antrim, N. Ireland
Posts: 208
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
