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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 18/5/2011

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A quick look around a caravan park may confirm that most of us do like the extra space IMHO.

Quote: Originally posted by Merry on 18/5/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 18/5/2011

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A quick look around a caravan park may confirm that most of us do like the extra space IMHO.

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Interesting idea. We are next door to a busy Caravan Club site and I've noticed on my way past that awnings are in a minority there. Perhaps that's because, like us, its a site with great views out to sea and down the coast but also prone to strong winds. I might try to have a wander round there and see how many of the naked vans are in use and how many are seasonals with no-one using them at the moment.

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I suppose it also might depend on the time of the year and the length of time folk stay on the site?  We rarely put up any awning for two nights.  If it's prone to wind (!  ) then it might deter.

Have not a clue where we would put everything without the awning, got a huge isabella which is a nightmare to put up between the 2 of us, and sometimes some grumpy assistance from a 9 year old if he's not having to chase after the 3 year old and dog.

Once its up though its lovely.  We always eat out in it to save the wear and tear on the inside of the van especially with kids and soft furnishings.  And its like having a massive extension on the van for the bikes, chairs etc.

Feel very exposed when we take it down, which we often do the night before coming home if its dry, to pack it all away.

Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 17/5/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 17/5/2011...if you don't need the space then erecting an awning is no different from erecting the tent that you bought the caravan to avoid erecting.

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Precisely!

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Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 28/5/2011

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...
...and on this thread, some people are using the site showers to avoid using the showers in the caravan they bought to avoid using the site showers!

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Not used my awning for 2 years and its a Issabella opus.

As others I cannot manage putting it up. Arthritice in shoulder.

We had a Fiamma Caravanstore which we have used for a few years but found it was too heavy to roll up now that I have got older. We also had a porch awning but it was too small to do anything in. Have sold both and now have a lightweight sun shade or short stays and a larger porch awning we can sit out in for longer holidays.

We do not use a a groundsheet in the awning unless we are on hard standing.

Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 28/5/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 17/5/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 17/5/2011...if you don't need the space then erecting an awning is no different from erecting the tent that you bought the caravan to avoid erecting.

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Precisely!

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...and on this thread, some people are using the site showers to avoid using the showers in the caravan they bought to avoid using the site showers!

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I disagree with both of you !  First off,  like a fair few others we don't really mind erecting a tent as long as the weather's ok.  We bought a caravan chiefly because if the weather's very bad on arrival it is great to be able to basically just unhitch & wind the legs down then get straight in.   When / if the weather improves it's great to have the extra space the awning provides - but we can get by without it,  & we do if the weather's awful, or we're too tired / just can't be bothered.  

We prefer being in a tent, (much easier to keep everything cleaner too especially with 2 dogs who get long country walks whatever the weather)  and so generally prefer to sit in the awning or even sleep in it if it's nice enough, so we do like to use the awning  on longer breaks & it makes sense for us to have one ! 

Bob - our caravan does have a shower, but we bought it 2nd hand & couldn't have cared less if it had one as we had no intention of using it !  It just so happened that this one is the right size, has the features / layout that suits us best, and was the right price !