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Subject Topic: Best awning? Post Reply Post New Topic
30/3/2015 at 9:18am
 Location: Selby
 Outfit: Mazda Bongo
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What awnings are people using and would you recommend it?

I will mostly be camping on my own. So I need something I can erect by myself, and to add to the challenge I'm a little on the short side. Any suggestions or ones to definitely avoid?

Thanks Breeze


30/3/2015 at 12:09pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
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Do you actually need an awning when you are on your own? Good thing about a campervan is that you arrive on site, get out your chair & table, open a cold one & be amused watching the campers & caravanners taking half a day to set up.


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30/3/2015 at 12:42pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus
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So true billy. It all too tempting to make simple camping complicated!
That's said I sure there will be awnings specifically for bongos - either side or rear door fixing?

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The older I get the better I used to be.


30/3/2015 at 2:35pm
 Location: Selby
 Outfit: Mazda Bongo
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Although I camp on my own I have dogs with me. So whilst I don't need one I thought the extra space might come in handy.

But I know what you are saying, the idea of just pulling up, popping up the roof and dragging out a chair does sound appealing 😉


30/3/2015 at 9:45pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus
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Breeze - few more thoughts on awnings.

We have 2 - one a very light canopy which keeps the sun off and more often the rain! Takes very little storage space and we have often used it even if only staying for 1 or 2 nights. I can erect it on my own in about 10 mins.
However it is not enclosed. Cost only about £50 in sale 4 years ago so doesn't owe us much if it does get blown away!

Second one is a drive-away free standing jobby which is just big enough to hold table,2 chairs,my wife's mobility scooter and our smallish spaniel - although she is spoilt and normally sleeps in her bed inside the van. We would only use this awning if staying at least 4 days or so on same site; too much of a faff, especially if weather bad.

Both awnings hook onto a 3 metre J-rail 2.4 m above ground so a stool and longish arms required to connect. (Would be much lower on a Bongo I guess.)

We have also looked at some of 'air awnings' recently - very quick to erect etc. However, they are expensive, quite heavy and certainly very bulky when packed. Not sure where we would store one; have a good sized 'garage' but partly taken up with mobility scooter, spare wheel etc. And for sure, you will have even less storage in your Bongo.

As billy said, good to keep things simple if you can. For what it's worth there is less need for complications once you travel south in Europe because of the better weather! (In fact we have twice been advised not to erect an awning on couple of UK sites because of the flood risk at the time!) Also high winds can also be a deterrant.

Hope this helps.



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The older I get the better I used to be.


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31/3/2015 at 10:51am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse)
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Hi Breeze..

Although they're not an awning as such (and they're a bit bulky to keep packed in the van, "just in case"), for something easy and quick,  I would highly recommend a Quechua Base shelter..

Decathlon-Quechua Base Seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpb7PqRG0hg

(..and they are/were popular amongst the Bongofury dudes/dudesses   )

Ours is up and fully pegged out in a couple of minutes...and if sat quite tight to the van, leaves little in the way of gap (although we now just use a small bridging tarp to cover any gap between it and the van and to cover the top of an open door ).

I did try using our OR Easicanopy for a while (see my profile) but it was too flat and water would pool badly..

Edit to add- We looked at getting a Bongo some years back and I recall reading on the Bongofury forum that someone had made(or you could buy?) brackets which bolted to existing fastening points on the roof (under the edge of the lift up top?) and these could be used to attach an awning rail.  



Post last edited on 31/03/2015 11:35:50


04/4/2015 at 12:54am
 Location: Selby
 Outfit: Mazda Bongo
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Thanks for the suggestions and advice.

I think I'm swaying towards a rail mostly for ease and keeping the rain off when the door is open. As it's highly unlikely the OH will be travelling with me, I won't need the extra room a drive away offers. -or the added complication of pitching on my own.

Maybe some further investigation is needed.


04/4/2015 at 6:01pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: VW T5 Camper Van. 3 metre bell tent
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I have been looking at awnings/tents. I currently use a 3 metre bell tent with the tripod pole, but I've had some problems with the pole and leakage in heavy rain. I was looking at one of the Quecha Base Second after I saw one at Loch Ness but has anyone any idea where you could purchase one from. Decathlon says they've unavailable.


05/4/2015 at 10:43am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse)
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Quote: Originally posted by Owen 47 on 04/4/2015
I was looking at one of the Quecha Base Second.....//.....but has anyone any idea where you could purchase one from. Decathlon says they've unavailable.

Hi Owen'...

Whereabouts are you located?...

Although it shows their "Warehouse out of stock", some of the stores still show them as available...

Even if they're not local to you, maybe it's worth a trip out?...or you may even know someone in that region who could pick it up?...  




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