Quote: Originally posted by Bossynix on 05/7/2010
Hi
I'm really interested in all your reviews and comments about these awnings!
Have you had the Kampa/ Royal awnings up in strong winds? I don't mean gale force but a wind that would move it about a bit and if it wasn't very sturdy would see it flying off? What about heavy rain, I noted one comment which wasn't about these awnings mentioned the rain pooling on the roof, we find that happens with our little porch awning. I
What about the size of the bags etc when folded down? We have a little Towsure Portico awning which we use on weekends away. Doesn't fit a great deal in but is handy to put the chairs/ cadac shoes and toys in of an evening. It does pack down into a small bag about holdall size, which means it stays in the caravan all the time. Where as our full dorema awning is a pain in the bum to store when we don't want to use it!
Also what about the fit to the side of the caravan? Is it quite snug? as our porch awning isn't quite snug and I'm always worried it will scratch the caravan as it doesn't fit properly.
Sorry I've hijacked this thread but I really like the look of the Kampa Fiesta, so much so I might buy one with the sole purpose of replacing both awnings!
Hi bossynix. I sometimes feel like an agent for the Kampa Fiesta, but I can assure you I'm not (...just an ordinary consumer). I've had more lightweight awnings than I care to remember and I can honestly say that the Kampa Fiesta is by a mile, by far the best one we've had.
For me, the poles and attachments are what makes the awning more stable than the others. The single pole at the front is steel and is very stong indeed. The three roof poles are also steel, but are a little thinner than those found on a full awning. The roof poles fit to the van with 'dorema type' pads where the hook of the roof pole is firmly encased in the pad and can only come out it you unscrew the roof pole at the front of the awning, and angle it down to the floor (like you do when you take the awning down). You can but additional down poles that fit against the pads where the awning material touches the side of the van. These are made of aluminium, and while they do the job are perhaps not as good as the other pole sections. Most of the other lightweight awnings have either aluminium or these thin 'cane-like' fibre poles, or a combination of the two. They are, in my opinion, nowhere near as strong or as stable as the poles on the Fiesta.
The awning is relatively easy to put up (i.e. as easy or easier than the others). Once you have threaded through the big steel pole at the front, you can angle it, and providing it is not windy, it will stand unaided while you attach the roof poles. You can zip out the sides and the front. We pack ours away with all the panels zipped out, so that next time we put it up we can do so with the panels out - we find it much easier to handle with less material. Some lightweights are more limiting as there is less you can zip out.
There are no curtains to the Fiesta, but a roll down 'material window cover'. This can give the awning a dark feel, but we very rarely use these anyway - if fact we fold the panels away with the covers rolled down, so we don't even have to bother about them (it's a good idea to check from time to time to make sure there is no moisture in them though).
We have never had a problem with water pooling on the roof. The awning fits into one bag - it's not a small bag though - but I wouldn't say it was O.T.T.
If you want any other information, please don't hesitate to ask. If you're interested, I would certainly go and see one on display.
-------------
David
|
Topic: Compactalite 400
