So you looked through all the listings, now that is dedication. Or killing time before going for ones pension.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
The Black Fox. If you do buy the rear poles go for the twist and lock ones. Kampa do two types of rear poles and the cheaper ones are awful!! Also you can buy a hole punch to make more holes for the limpets. We had to do this as, like your caravan, some of the pre-punched holes were over the decals etc.
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Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 25/9/2017
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 23/9/2017
Well, for the OP or anyone else wanting an air-awning, Ebay is rammed with them. Many advertised as 'as new' or nearly new. So there are bargains to be had. But, you have to ask; why so many 'as news' are there for sale on there??
Simple really, there are 520 awnings advertised on EBay second hand, 100 of those are air awnings. Try looking at the adverts, most say changed van, new awning does not fit, or sold caravan.
Of course! Most people change/sell up two minutes after laying out a large sum for a new awning. My theory is; saying they are a waste of time/more bother than they are worth, wouldn't sell them.
Quote: Originally posted by paul+julie on 21/9/2017
We have a Bradcot modulair 390 which we bought before our trip to France. We are still in France and have put it up and down 6 times now. The whole concept of air awning is its easy to erect, and it is. But our 390 alone is just useless. I can see that with the other 2 modules it will be a good awning but useless without them at an additional cost of nearly £700. Have a good look round at them and don't buy what we have unless you want a huge heavy full sized awning.
We were at the wirral at easter next to a bloke with the same awning, i reckon he must of put up and took down his awning at least 10 times in 3 days yet just round the corner someone had one up all week with no issues
We have a Vango Braemar (basically the size of a large porch awning) and it might just have saved our marriage.
The single, enormous advantage is that I can erect it on my own. It's not the lightest thing in the world but getting it into the awning rail is manageable, inflation is a doddle, we've left ours erected for stays of up to about a week with no apparent loss of pressure and because the inflatable beams are integrated into the awning itself it's actually more stable when it gets a bit windy.
Problems? Honestly, there aren't any. I can't see us ever going back to poles.
We also bought a Kampa Air Pro 260. As tent converts, we found putting it up a total breeze (sic) But also had the problem with the limpets coming off in winds reported to have reached 60 mph gusts. We bought a set of the twist and lock rear poles and that totally resolved the issue.
So, limpets for "OK" weather and poles when needed. We also found that the limpets would not stick to decals, but had already realised that it would be a simple matter of popping another hole in an appropriate spot.
As for weight, no issue. We just worked together, and fed it through quite easily. We also bought the annexe, which is ideal for the dogs to sleep in. The main awning did leak a little, but given the ferocity of the wind/rain I was not overly worried by that. All in all, a sound investment that will get plenty of use.
Been putting up the Bradcot modular 390 wrong and that's why it would not sit against the caravan properly.
Been to our local dealer caravan show today and got 15% Off the other 2 sections to make the full size awning so hoping it will be ok now.
Love the way it inflates in 3 mins and the quality of material and nice curtains. The main reason we went for this awning was because it doesn't have horrible green guy lines everywhere.
Agree with samandrose, no arguments,no problems with pressure even after 10days of not weather, rain and cool. Can't see us going back to poles. Vango varkala for longer trip, sunn camp porch, happy with both
We have the Bradcot air aspire good quality and like you said no guide lines to fall over and they look great, compared to some cheaper makes, but you only get what you pay for, the only down side is that they are heavy compared to the cheaper ones owing to the better quality of the material they are made of.
I am in UK and have an Outwell inflatable on a seasonal 11.5 month pitch
It does need topping up every month but how hard is that? Its so much prettier inside than an awning with poles and has weathered 2 bad storms unscathed. It was heavy and a bear to put up so there it stays until it needs replacing at the end of its life. Cannot recommend enough. Needs special pump with awning attachment.
Quote: Originally posted by Melernie on 02/9/2020
I am in UK and have an Outwell inflatable on a seasonal 11.5 month pitch
It does need topping up every month but how hard is that? Its so much prettier inside than an awning with poles and has weathered 2 bad storms unscathed. It was heavy and a bear to put up so there it stays until it needs replacing at the end of its life. Cannot recommend enough. Needs special pump with awning attachment.
Yes they are heavy, so they are fine for putting up and leaving up, but I wouldn't recommend them for short stays. We find a poled awning much easier for us, but then we are a couple of pensioners both with back problems. I can't lift anything heavy above shoulder-height. Poles are fine though.
We bought a new air awning a couple of years ago. Used it twice and its been in our garage ever since as we went back to a poled one which we found much easier, even though it's much bigger than the air one. It comes in 5 pieces that just zip together once the roof section is up.
I have both types, an Isabella 420 all season awning on our seasonal pitch (very strong steel poled frame). This awning is also very heavy but extremely stable
When we go away for breaks or any touring I use a Kampa rally 390 pro air awning. This goes up in mins (with its single inflation point). You can peg out whilst its still inflating. I agree with other its very heavy to pull through the rail. The Kampa is also very stable in windy conditions.
Their are a number of good quality awnings (air and poled) on the market. I would say, you pay your money you take your pick. It is probably a matter of choice.
------------- Don't take LIFE too seriously nobody gets out ALIVE anyway
We have invested in a Kampa 390 Pro Plus. Inflating with Kampa Gale pump, the awning goes from a large sheet of material on the ground, to a fully useable weather proof awning in about 10 minutes.The awning is stable in the worst of wind and rain conditions. The only downside is condensation.Having said that, all awnings suffer with condensation so a small price to pay for a large comfortable awning with good headroom and well made. Personally, we would never purchase another poled awning.
No doubt about it, little in the caravanning world generates such varied opinions than air-awnings. A real "Marmite" item! Some people love them and some hate them. It really is just a matter of personal opinion.
We all have our own personal reasons as to why we like or dislike something, often simply based on our own individual experiences.
We had a Kampa Air Ace and after using it for several nights could not wait to sell it. Went back to a poled awning which is just as quick to erect as both awnings require pegging down so one is not quicker than the other however the air awning is twice as heavy as a poled awning when pulling it through the rail!
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 03/9/2020
We had a Kampa Air Ace and after using it for several nights could not wait to sell it. Went back to a poled awning which is just as quick to erect as both awnings require pegging down so one is not quicker than the other however the air awning is twice as heavy as a poled awning when pulling it through the rail!
Precisely what I found, and as I struggle with lifting anything heavy above shoulder height it was a real problem. We love the poled awning we have now, it's in my profile pictures. It's like a barn inside, and more than doubles the size of our caravan. I can put it up on my own too once the roof is pulled through, and in half the time it took two of us to put up the much smaller air-awning. Each to their own I suppose.