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Hi Em

We also have a 390 which we have used in storms last year in Cornwall and it was fine although we did need the guy ropes then but have been away the last 2 weekends and havent used the guy ropes at all and have had no problems you could just peg the guy ropes in in the night (in case of bad weather) when the kids are in the van or if there is really windy or wet weather when they wont be running around outside anyway (this will only take 5 mins as it will just need 4 pegs and even less time to pull them out in the mornings and they tie up against the awning so they wont be in the way or dangling.) Also the guy ropes are very bright yellow and the kids will be able to see them easily. Also if it is nice the front panels all roll up and there is a door both ends which ties back so the kids will be able to come in and out of the awning in all directions.

Hope this helps.

Alyson.........

I quite agree with you - most awnings have hideously patterned curtains.  However, in an environment where they may suffer badly from fading, I think bold patterns are much more forgiving than plain fabrics.

Isabella's 2007 Magnum large porch awning also comes with plain white curtains now.  (I think there is a subtle self-patterned polka-dot in the fabric too).

Isabella do sell curtains separately (for their annexes)..  Again, they are white - which means they don't exclude daylight (doh!), but they look nice and they won't fade .  They are about £40 per set , which is why I haven't got any for our annex!  I was thinking of making some  of my own though - all I would need in addition to some fabric would be the metal eyelets and a punch to fit them to the curtain header with, as I've already got spares of the other plastic fittings.

We have an Isabella Ambassador Gold full awning, which has Atlantic Blue curtains - it's not a very 'bold/busy' pattern, just a mid-blue background with small light blue 'curls' and gold dots on it.  I like it so much that I have the matching tablecloth!!  Although they no longer make this model after 2006, there is still plenty of new stock around.

We have both a porch awning and a large awning with annex.  The porch awning is light easy to put up and handy for shoes and toys, we can also fit a couple of chairs in there.  It is great for short breaks.  We have not tried the big awning yet but are going to use if for our longer trips and  when we have visitors.  I would not be without the porch awning that extra space is great.  My advice is buy both! 

I really have not noticed the guy ropes as an issue at all.  They are much shorter than the ones we used to have on our tent.  Cannot help you with makes we bought our porch awning from a stand at the G-MEX caravan show earlier this year it was not expensive.

Quote: Originally posted by edeller on 17/4/2007

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Ultimates, have recently spotted the Magnum too. It seems we have a few options now and need to decide whether to go for lightweight and cheap or longer lasting an a bit more costly.

The Isabella awnings do appeal to me the most out of the major manufacturers but I do like some of the lightweight porches too. Maybe we should have both!!

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Are you worried about them hurting themselves when they trip?  They are probably going to trip over guy ropes sometime, if not yours then someone elses.  They will learn from experience.

Brian