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Quote: Originally posted by Anniemacxx on 12/1/2011

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I cant see why a site should charge you more than an awning, some of those are huge,   youre not going to sleep in it, and Ive seen lots motor homes with free standing awnings and  camper vans with tents next to them on pitches.  I guess its going to vary from site to site.  Just tell them you have a "free standing awning"  or a "full height pup tent" when you book! 

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Our last caravan had two different sizes of awnings. When I say they were awnings, they were actually tents that had been made into awnings by having extra material sewn into them and then velcro (hook and loop) attached in such a way that it married up to velcro on the van.

This type of "awning" appeared to create a problem with caravan park owners and I can only assume that this was due to the fact that like most large tents nowadays, the larger of my awnings had a SIG.

Most proper awnings that I have seen do not have SIGs and therefore are less likely to damage grass areas.

The areas where tents (with SIGs) are likely to be pitched can be moved around to allow the damaged grass to regenerate whereas using tents with SIGs as awnings on hard standing areas will cause damage to the point where these hard standings would have to be closed to give the grass time to recover.

So I do understand why caravan park owners would be uncomfortable about non-standard awnings or tents being used as awnings, on areas that were not laid out for tent use and also why some CPs charge for using a tent as an awning, whether it is freestanding or not.

Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 12/1/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Anniemacxx on 12/1/2011

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I cant see why a site should charge you more than an awning, some of those are huge,   youre not going to sleep in it, and Ive seen lots motor homes with free standing awnings and  camper vans with tents next to them on pitches.  I guess its going to vary from site to site.  Just tell them you have a "free standing awning"  or a "full height pup tent" when you book! 

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I don't think it matters what sort of tent or awning it is, or what you decide to call it, many sites will still charge for it. I have a free standing awning for my mpv and three of the sites I went to last year charged extra for it

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Zorro's  original question was would he be charged more for a free standing tent than for an awning, ie an extra pitch fee,  I just said I didnt think he should be charged more.  I would expect to pay an awning fee at most sites these days, its a pleasant surprise when you dont.

 

Quote: Originally posted by Anniemacxx on 12/1/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 12/1/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Anniemacxx on 12/1/2011

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I cant see why a site should charge you more than an awning, some of those are huge,   youre not going to sleep in it, and Ive seen lots motor homes with free standing awnings and  camper vans with tents next to them on pitches.  I guess its going to vary from site to site.  Just tell them you have a "free standing awning"  or a "full height pup tent" when you book! 

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I don't think it matters what sort of tent or awning it is, or what you decide to call it, many sites will still charge for it. I have a free standing awning for my mpv and three of the sites I went to last year charged extra for it

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Zorro's  original question was would he be charged more for a free standing tent than for an awning, ie an extra pitch fee,  I just said I didnt think he should be charged more.  I would expect to pay an awning fee at most sites these days, its a pleasant surprise when you dont.

 

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Exactly so Annie... we realised that many sites do charge for awnings (regardless of type) but I was asking if a tent such as I described would be regarded in the same way as an awning - and charged (or not !) in the same manner,  or if it would cost more.

I know at least one of the sites we've used in the past does not charge for awnings, but then the site fees there are quite expensive. That being so, if they would make a hefty extra charge for a tent we'd just not be able to afford it.

Btw - long time no speak - how are you anyway ?!

Post last edited on 12/01/2011 18:56:45

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Fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing . Anton Chekhov

Righto, some useful information here...

Wendy, Mrs Z & I have a full awning (came with the van) & also had a bash at putting up a sun canopy too, but we really struggled tbh. She actually can't reach the very highest bit even when standing on the step. This means I'm in an awkward position (for me) having to hold most of  the weight up whilst sliding it right along the top part of the channel. Once the top is done we're fine - but getting that done is really painful for me, & impossible for her !

Glynnis & andcow - thanks, just been looking at that quechua (sp?) tent & it sounds just right for us. ...  hmm

evenstephen - thank you very much for that info.  From that & what several of you have said here it sounds hopeful that a tent like this wouldn't be charged any differently than an awning.

Fingers crossed ... I'll make a few phone calls too I think (though maybe a lot of sites will be closed just now ?) and thank you all for your input