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Topic: Awning, air shelter or nowt???

Kernow Camper

26/7/2023 at 2:11pm
Location: Bude Cornwall
Outfit: Autotrail+Tracker+FB

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Good afternoon all
We have an Elddis Autoquest CV60 camper (panel van conversion) and have been considering an air awning for it, to give us a bit more space/drying space.
Firstly we've seen a few for sale, stating 'used only once or twice' so are wondering if we would use it often enough to justify the initial outlay?
We have also seen lots of 'utility tents/shelters' being used on site (and have researched air versions), although some sites seem to charge these as 'extras' (unlike awnings)?
Anyway, my point is have any of you got awnings, do you use them often or do you just have the shelters.
Many thanks. :-)

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Lorfal

via mobile 26/7/2023 at 8:21pm
Location: Rannoch Scotland
Outfit: autosleeper fairford

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We use ours a lot! It’s a drive away awning, vango air beam. We have 3 dogs and the joining section is great for drying them and for added cool storage at times.

We ha£ family away with us previously , and we used it as an extra bedroom . It’s easy and fairly quick to put up and take down.

I would say though the joining section can be a bit flappy sometimes. It has stood up in severe weather .

We wouldn’t usually use it for overnight stops, but definitely for longer than 2 nights.

I guess it depends on how you plan to use it.

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fiona f

via mobile 26/7/2023 at 8:45pm
Location: Didsbury Manchester
Outfit: Trigano Randger FC Autocruise Jazz

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We had an air drive away awning when we had our VW camper van. Cost a lot of money, was very heavy & took up large amount of space in the van. We are one of those people who used it once or twice then sold it but they obviously work for some. Now just have a roll out awning & a pop up tent for storage
Fiona

Fiona W

via mobile 26/7/2023 at 9:04pm
Location: Ayrshire
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No: we don’t need extra storage for bikes, sleeping, a portapotti, etc; we prefer to be outside if it’s pleasant; we can’t justify the space & weight an awning takes up; we have a wind out awning but rarely use it; we like that we just drive up, hook up, open bottle / put on kettle, sit out: done in 10 minutes.
An awning must have a reason (and everyone’s needs are different) or else it’s a waste of space, weight & money.

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raohno

29/7/2023 at 11:05pm
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we have 3a an outdoor revolution Cayman air which we use when on hard standing and for longer stays it has a sewn in groundsheet, a small poled Motorbuddy 250 which we use on grass pitches (no fixed groundsheet) and in winter as it is quite sturdy, and an Olpro sun canopy that we bought after last years hot summer, which gives a good shelter and shade and is easy to put up, if we take the OlPro canopy we would normally take the motorbuddy with us just in case as together, they take up less room and are lighter than the inflatable awning. the inflatable awning is quick to put up, and is quite large etc. but if it gets a puncture (had one at the begining of a trip) it can be a painful trying to locate all the stuff that normally goes in it in our Small Motorhome (5.2M) and still be able to make up beds etc.

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Johno
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Kernow Camper

09/8/2023 at 11:33am
Location: Bude Cornwall
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Thanks all.

We have finally bought one!

Went for an Outdoor Revolution Cayman Air with lots of accessories.

Just waiting for summer to re-appear to go away and test it all out.

Cheers,
Kernow Camper

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More adventures in 2025 -
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May - New Forest & Dorset
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WITH LOTS MORE TO ADD ALL BEING WELL.

raohno

27/9/2023 at 8:49pm
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make sure you register the Caymen air for the warranty, it is worth doing, we had a puncture in ours whilst camping on the second use, caused by the air-tube being caught in a zip (from manufacture) Outdoor Revolution immediately sent out a replacement tube the next day, which was fantastic, although I wish they sent someone with it to fit the overlarge tube back in

but we managed

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Johno
VP and Librarian of the Renault Trafic MK1 Owners group

Kernow Camper

03/10/2023 at 11:33am
Location: Bude Cornwall
Outfit: Autotrail+Tracker+FB

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Quote: Originally posted by raohno on 27/9/2023
make sure you register the Caymen air for the warranty, it is worth doing, we had a puncture in ours whilst camping on the second use, caused by the air-tube being caught in a zip (from manufacture) Outdoor Revolution immediately sent out a replacement tube the next day, which was fantastic, although I wish they sent someone with it to fit the overlarge tube back in but we managed

Thank you. Registered it straight away.

-------------
More adventures in 2025 -
Feb - Totnes CAMC
March - Hillhead CAMC
April/Easter - Uphill
May - New Forest & Dorset
June - Wales
July - Herefordshire
September - TBC
Christmas - Ayr, St Ives
WITH LOTS MORE TO ADD ALL BEING WELL.

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