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We are soon off to the South of France (Provence) and are wondering if we should buy a full awning to take with us, Ventura Atlantic or similar.

We do have a new Suncamp Ultima 390 awning which is nearly as big as our twin axle anyway, my only concerns are that being it is made of a ripstop type nylon, would it get to hot inside at temperatures around 35 to 40c which it can hit often.

We only ever use our Ultima in the Uk and dont normally bother with a full normal awning, it would mean buying one just for the 2 weeks holidays in France each year.

Has anyone used the lightweight awnings on the continent, if so how did you find it?

Thanks

We never use a full awning in France - we just use the top as a 'sunshade', without the side panels in.  On the occasion when we didn't take it we bought a very cheap gazebo from a local supermarket, and used that to shade us from the sun. 

We've never had a problem with security or anything - we leave our table and chairs, loungers, a portable fridge, and a mini-oven and hob out all the time, and nothing has ever been touched.

Even on rainy days (which we've only had very occasionally), we've only put the sides in once. 

Most European caravanners use just a sunroof type rather than full awnings and it seems a big expense to buy a large new awning.  Can you use your Ultima without the panels?

Hi we do the same as Val A above take our normal full sze awning but only use the top as a sun canopy, never had problems with theft we leave loads of gear on show, you get the shade and any breeze as well. we go tomorrow till 17th Aug have a good holiday we shall

kind regards

Ken 

Hi Val and Ken

Yes, with the Ultima you can roll up all three front panels and the side also roll and tie back.

Thanks 

Thanks Darlin we have just ordered a Ventura Atlantic picking it up on Saturday, like you we have a twin axle. Will not have time to do a test 'put up' as going to Provence next week, breaking the journey at Vandanesse about half way on Saturday night. It will be unpack from the bag brand new and put it up after about 9 -10 hours in the car so good news to hear it is easy to put up as doubt if I wll be wanting to read the instructions first time up. Do you have any pointers to putting the awning up without too much hassle.  

Thanks