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I agree with Paul, but with a caravan, the awning becomes an option.  If you arrive late or if it's raining, you can leave the awning until the next day.  With a TT, it has to go up after possibly a long journey when you might be at your most tired.  It does take as long as a TT to put up, but the very fact that it's not essential to a night's sleep makes the situation different.

We have a larger porch awning and a full awning:  For us, 1 night = no awning; small number of nights (5 nights or less) = porch awning; longer (than 5 nights) = full awning.  The flexibility butween using the porch or full awning depends on weather and time of year.  Between the late autumn and early spring, we might use the porch awning for a week as we are less likely to use it as much/ for sitting out etc.)

If you intend using the caravan for mainly short/weekend breaks, then personally I'd go for a lightweight porch.  If it's mainly for longer breaks in the summer, then a full awning is a good idea.  If it's both then a larger budget would be useful.......

You could get what you think you need to use straight away and put the other one on a wish list.

If you want one awning to cover both things as best as is possible, the I would go for something like the Kampa Fiesta - see my gallery.  They are quite large - I would go for the 350 - and the front and the sides zip out like a full awning.  You can also purchase a side annexe for an extra sleeping compartment or storeage.  (See here)

By the way, welcome to UKCS.  

Thank you both very much. Very valid points.

David, your porch awning looks great! All I would really need it for is somewhere to sit and eat. The caravan is fairly long (20 feet) so a full awning may not be needed? Would you say your porch awning was fairly easy to put up?

I suppose the TT isn't THAT bad to set up, but I do like the idea that if you were a little late getting on site, an awning could be left until morning.

Just one more question, how come I never seem to be pitched next to a friendly bunch like you lot??!!

Quote: Originally posted by melrob2000 on 19/7/2011

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...Just one more question, how come I never seem to be pitched next to a friendly bunch like you lot??!

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