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Hello haven't posted on here for quite a while and although we have had our old Dandy for a few years (we thought we would have upgraded to a slightly newer one by now but no!) The awning (an old canvas one specially adapted to fit) has many problems - zips wont stay done up/tears here and there and damaged poles. That it really is not practical to use it anymore but we do need the additional space.

I had bought a very cheap square tent that was approx the same size as our awning but I have never set it up in-front of the Dandy - the problem being it would have to be pitched with a gap because of the door (of the Dandy) and also for securing the tent roof . So my main question is on a campsite could I still class it as my awning? even though it really is a biggish square tent? or will I get told no I cant put it up in front of the Dandy?? We also have a large pop up tent  but this is even more obvious that it is not an awning? Does anyone else do this because they don't have an awning or don't want to put up the Dandy one? Anyone use these day tents and if so how do they get charged? (i.e. more than an awning) Any help appreciated we are off on our first trip of the season next weekend and not sure what to take with me?? 

It does depend on the site.  As a trailer tent, you would usually be OK saying you are using it as part of the main unit.  The Camping & Caravan Club certainly have no problems with this or with "pup" tents as long as the rule abot being 6 metres from anyone elses unit isn't broken.  Private sites are a different matter.  Some charge, others don't.  Many Dandy owners use a motorhome stand alone awning.  These have a sort of bellows bit that can fasten under the roof of the camper a bit like the Dandy awning, althaugh the sides would still have a gap.  I have seen some tunnel tens with the back wall cut out & modified to fit quite well too.

Steve.

Quote: Originally posted by 3spudz on 18/5/2009

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Hello haven't posted on here for quite a while and although we have had our old Dandy for a few years (we thought we would have upgraded to a slightly newer one by now but no!) The awning (an old canvas one specially adapted to fit) has many problems - zips wont stay done up/tears here and there and damaged poles. That it really is not practical to use it anymore but we do need the additional space.

I had bought a very cheap square tent that was approx the same size as our awning but I have never set it up in-front of the Dandy - the problem being it would have to be pitched with a gap because of the door (of the Dandy) and also for securing the tent roof . So my main question is on a campsite could I still class it as my awning? even though it really is a biggish square tent? or will I get told no I cant put it up in front of the Dandy?? We also have a large pop up tent  but this is even more obvious that it is not an awning? Does anyone else do this because they don't have an awning or don't want to put up the Dandy one? Anyone use these day tents and if so how do they get charged? (i.e. more than an awning) Any help appreciated we are off on our first trip of the season next weekend and not sure what to take with me?? 

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Hi Darren, I believe you were in Cornwall last August on the UKCS meet with Darran & Michelle, we were the hedge hoppers that wanted the luxuries of electricity!, you kindly leant us a bottle of Nurofen.

Why don't you call the campsite first and explain the situation, I am sure they would be understanding (well maybe not if it was that campsite last year - sshhh you know where I mean!!!) I have also read on here, that some people who don't have awnings for their campers use the ones that motor homes use (the drive away type), that maybe an idea for the future.

Jane

Hello all its actually the Jacki part of the spudz family! - We are all good the same cant be said for the Dandy - it only had 3 working legs when we opened her up but we have sorted out that problem - I am going to take a chance and act dumb if questioned its only for sat and sun night - I just think it does seem a funny bit of ruling that it must be attached to count as an awning when as you say it can be quite a bit smaller than some awnings but we are just using it as extra space  (not sleeping in it) we will see - we are going to Glastonbury and I hope to do the same there so this is sort of a practice run but even there I could hit problems if the person seeing us in is up on the awning rule (Yes even at Glastonbury!) - I did think about the trying to make it look as if it is joined but i cant see it looking too good and till its up I am not sure how i would do it   ..we will see..

Hoping to do a meet weekend here or there in the summer but no major plans we have one 5 day trip to the river Dart booked in August hoped to have figured out a good substitute awning by then.

Just one last quick question then - these awnings made for campervans would still go over the dandy roof OK then? the roof wouldn't be to tall ? I have been looking but as they are always shown attached to a quite low campervan I was unsure  

Quote: Originally posted by 3spudz on 18/5/2009

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Hello all its actually the Jacki part of the spudz family! - We are all good the same cant be said for the Dandy - it only had 3 working legs when we opened her up but we have sorted out that problem - I am going to take a chance and act dumb if questioned its only for sat and sun night - I just think it does seem a funny bit of ruling that it must be attached to count as an awning when as you say it can be quite a bit smaller than some awnings but we are just using it as extra space  (not sleeping in it) we will see - we are going to Glastonbury and I hope to do the same there so this is sort of a practice run but even there I could hit problems if the person seeing us in is up on the awning rule (Yes even at Glastonbury!) - I did think about the trying to make it look as if it is joined but i cant see it looking too good and till its up I am not sure how i would do it   ..we will see..

Hoping to do a meet weekend here or there in the summer but no major plans we have one 5 day trip to the river Dart booked in August hoped to have figured out a good substitute awning by then.

Just one last quick question then - these awnings made for campervans would still go over the dandy roof OK then? the roof wouldn't be to tall ? I have been looking but as they are always shown attached to a quite low campervan I was unsure  

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Just one last quick question then - these awnings made for campervans would still go over the dandy roof OK then? the roof wouldn't be to tall ? I have been looking but as they are always shown attached to a quite low campervan I was unsure  

They come in basically two sizes - ones that fit up to 210 cms for campervans, and taller ones like the Movelite XL which will fit on to tall motorhomes. Go for the taller one so it will reach over the top of the Dandy.