Message Forums

We have a vw t25 caravelle and are trying to decide which freestanding awning would be best. There are five of us so it will need to sleep at least 2. We would be using it for short breaks so would need it to pitch as quick as possible but can't afford the kyham motordome.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Check out these links to ebay. These are no longer for sale but it gives you an idea of what to look for.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&item=330012610781&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&item=130011991784&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

To be very honest I was seriously thinking about an awning earlier this year hence the ones I was watching on ebay but I do already have a tent and realised that the only difference was the fact it was attached to the van which is not always a great thing.

Some tunnel awnings only open at each end which means you have to trapse through the whole tent to get into the van. This design also brings up heat issues within the van and the tent.

You want one that has as many opening sides as possible to allow for optimun ventilation.

If you already have a tent I would seriously think about using that.

I was a camper before buying the van so I have a huge 6 birth dome tent which is big enough to stand in and has three doors for extra ventilation as it gets so damn hot in the sun. It cost me £80 from ebay it sleeps six people no worries, in fact I have had 12 people sleeping in it before. Its big enough to use as storage and takes me and my other half 20 mins to put up. We are using it this year with the campervan in Wales later this month as my daughter refuses to sleep in the roof of the van (Can't say as I blame her, It's a tad coffin like)

I hope this is helpful. I am still looking for the ideal awning myself (price being as big an issue as the practical design)

http://www.campershop.co.uk/awnings/traveller/traveller.htm

we have one of these with an inner tent - takes approx 20 mins to put up and once you get the hang of threading the poles through and stabilising it it is ok. We also have a small sun canopy for sun shade use. Used the tunnel awning at Easter with me and OH sleeping in and kids in van, no probs, managed to fit full size table, 3 chairs and dog in too!

look at these too

http://www.reimo.co.uk/id59.htm

Jane

Traveller Tunnel looks really nice but the Khyam looks the preverbial 'dogs doodah's'. Thanks for posting your initail question Jaquie its helped me a lot too!

Regards

Jackie

Have you come accross the fiamma caravanstore?

I havnt bought one yet but ive done a lot of homework on it, ive only had our t25 for 3 weeks, so ive been looking for the cheapest option, if you tap in fiamma caravanstore, and then choose the one that says frontier leisure, or agent fiamma, I came accross a firm in gwent, wales and it was cheaper than all the caravan accessories shops this awning comes in widths from approx 2 metre wide up to 4m for huge motorhomes, and projects out from 2m up to 4m, the one I worked out that would fit our type 25 autohomes hightop was 2.5m long x 2.5m and it is £135, total with delivery!  the awning canopy rolls up like a roller blind and is fixed to the side of your camper via a 2.5m length of awning rail, when your awning is rolled up, it goes in its integral zip up bag and stays on the side of your van whilst on the move, I thought that was simplicity in itself! the zip up sides and front can be bought separately for about £55 per panel, this will suit us as we can only afford the awining in stages, check it out,  if I find out the correct web address I will post it later ok. hope this helps.

the website is  www.agentfiamma.co.uk

click "enter website" link

click product finder, and its the 7th listed, and the 8th is the "blockers" that are the zip on sides available separately,

sadly Ive got to try and sell the personalized plates that are on the camper to be able to afford  the hole awning with other bits and bobs, anyones name BILL out there, ha

woody (donna)

Have you looked at Just Kampers and Reimo.  Just Kampers had theirs on special offer recently (not sure if they still do) as a few had minor probs.  Reimo also do a very good selection.  If you ever go to VW shows, they are a great place to look round and get ideas of what would suit you.  Vanfest is in early September in Malvern - bit of a trek for you but might be worth it.

Bought mine from German Ebay - just type in bus vorzelt (bus tent in German) in the search bar and hey presto the homeland has a greater choice and some awnings which you don't see over here.  It's a tunnel style , so is lighter than the frame style ones.  Must take some piccies of it next week at Gwithian and put on my profile.

http://www.reimo.co.uk/id59.htm    pricey but good quality.

http://www.justkampers.co.uk/shop/camping.html

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.riverswayleisure.com/

cheers.  Julie.

hubby would love to go to vanfest but it is just too far. aa route finder said 178 miles!

will look on german ebay though. thanks

Ahhhh Gwithian, is the big rock pook still there? The one you can swim in? Cream teas at the Jampot in the dunes with their home made ice creams!!  Down the light house end of the bay they release seals back into the wild.

Have a great time there, we always did.

Jackie

Quote: Originally posted by jacqfrost on 11/8/2006

---

hubby would love to go to vanfest but it is just too far. aa route finder said 178 miles!

---

That's not far girl! Heavens above!  You do know its a whole weekend event don't you?...where you can camp...in your camper.  Hubby doesn't sound like he needs convincing...if you really are vw camper fans you'll be in utter heaven...

178 miles...pah...I wish...we're coming all the way from Ireland just for Vanfest...as I say, it really IS worth it

Thanks for that irishcamper, trouble is we have three kids and i don't think we could stand that long a journey with them saying 'are we there yet' every 3 mins!

If it were just us it would be fine.