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We have a Conway Countryman. We got in a right mess the first time we tried to put it up as we had not had a practice. Luckily a very kind man helped us.

 It takes us about 30-45 mins to put it up now including ground sheet and carpet.We only ever put it up if we are staying for 5 days or more due to the extra time putting it up and taking it down. It is worth it as it gives you so much more space which you need with 2 children. We put the toilet in there and table and chairs we have also put a camping wardrobe in if staying for a couple of weeks. Make sure you label all the poles and sides to make it easier. We always take it down the night before we go home to save time in a morning and to avoid a wet pack up you never know with British weather.  

We found the big one although you could have a dance in it, was too big for us to handle and worse if taking down in the wet and going onward.

We usually  used only the cabin, but got the smaller awning off of member Lisa_steer she made them for the pennines and although we put it up wromng last time. it has now proven itself to be very valuable. Now we do not worry about having to put my wheelie away. Can sit outside watching the world go by in the evening. If chilly a fan heater we have inside or out. If it gets warm we call roll back the doors on the sides & the front giving us a canopy type.

 It is easy to dry and can stay left on and pcked up with it saving time. But we take it off. it does not take long to put up and left mainly up to my Bob to do it all. I am the peg holder, cleaner ,etc.If windy it comes down.

 The cabin for us is big enough for what we want if needs be.

just had one made by Lisa £360 including p&p

Like the others, there are just the two of us (and occasionally me on my own).

We have tried the big awning but it is far too big and too much hassle for just us.

So this year we have invested in one of Lisa's Porch Awnings.

Up until now, 95% of our touring has been done with just the main unit (no awning) but we feel that it would be nice to have somewhere that we could sit in comfy chairs because after a month away, these bench seats are too uncomfortable to sit on all day if the weather is inclemant.
Hence the porch awning.

I am offties on my own for a 2 site trip in 3 days time and I am looking forward to trying out the new awning. I would not consider trying to erect the big Pennine awning on my own.

If you don't want the expense of a porch awning - could you get a utility tent to take for short stays so you have extra storage for BBQ, shoes, small table etc? Cheaper solution but obviously a compromise compared to a porch awning.

Not sure we could camp as a family of 4, without an awning of eitehr kind for anything more than say two nights in good weather. If only two of you say you could probably manage.

Lisa (Steer) as mentioned is the easy option if you don't want to do the work yourself. Hopefully trying ours again this weekend weather permitting (as forecast is not good at all)

we use full awning for longer camps (4 nights plus) or camps with lots of family (as we may need a 'dry' place to come together at night)  and have a porch for other times.  The full awning is great when camping on a site for a long time and when in France we found it was not just useful for storage and a different place to sit but also for the sun shade that it provided. 

We had a secondhand porch adapted originally for somewhere to keep the dogs when wet however the last 3 camps we have done, Mar/Feb/Nov we have not even bothered with that as it would have been too cold for the dogs at night and by day we just used their fabric kennels!!  So having wanted it we are now hardly using lol.

We always put the full awning up, even for weekends, don't think we'd manage without the space to be honest...and we prefer to eat in the awning rather than in the camper to save the carpets from messy childs eating...

Once you get used to it, its easy enough, pegging out is the worst bit.