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Does anyone have either of the above porch awnings?   I have looked through previous posts, but would really like to see some pictures of these.  I want something that is lightweight & easy to put up (without too much arguing). 

I have seen the sales pictures, but would really like to know what you can realistically fit into these awnings.  Ideally we would like one with enough room for shoes, coats and a couple of chairs,  We are a family of two adults a 7 and  a 4 year old.

Any comments, especially pictures will really help in making our decision.

Thanks.

We got this one http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.towsure.com/product/14606.  It's around 2 metres square and we get a small table, two chairs, a small airer, the step and a doormat in it comfortably.  We were going to get the larger one but it would have covered the side window.

It's dead easy to put it up - I do it on my own while OH is doing the water, leccy etc.  Takes me about 20 minutes from start to finish but I've got it down to a fine art now.

We were a bit concerned last Christmas/New Year because of the wind but it stood up to it really well.  They are very light and dry very quickly. 

Hope this helps.

Nora

Thanks for the replies.

We will have another look at the Compactalite Plus and the Scenic from Towsure. Sounds like we can get enough room for what we require.  I like the full awning but it weighs a lot and having not got the biggest tow car in the world (a 1.6 ford escort estate) we would like to try to keep the weight down.  We are an 85% match but hubby is a bit worried.

To Max-and-Paddy, I love the idea of caravanning at Christmas and New Year, hubby will not even consider it - despite me buying an lcd/dvd tv with my bonus - he is just not interested in caravanning in the winter  - shame - buts thats another topic.

Thanks for the replies.

Kris

Tell him he doesn't know what he's missing, Kris - it's brilliant in the cold when you're all cosy inside the van. Getting all dressed up and going for a nice walk in the woods and coming back to a warm van and a relaxing drink. Snuggled up in the sleeping bag in the morning and looking at the cold outside...........

Oh, bring it on!

Nora

Quote: Originally posted by stevewils on 24/9/2007

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I'm interested in this thread as I need a porch awning.

Will this type of awning put up with the rigours of a british winter? we want one that we can use all year round.

Steve.

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In my opinion, none of the lightweight, quick-erect awnings are intended for use in severe weather (Winter or Summer!).  You can (and may people do) chance it and on many occasions you will be lucky and suffer no damage to either the awning or the caravan in windy weather - but they're not durable enough for you to sleep through a stormy night with complete confidence!

Put it this way, I wouldn't trust a £150 awning not to snap/rip and bash itself into my £15k caravan.  I do use one all year round in calm weather, but if in doubt it stays (or goes back into) its bag.  Last New Year, it went up and down again a few hours later!  It's just not worth the risk.

Most of the makers of the lightweights do warn you that they are not suitable in strong winds.  I don't suppose they would cope well with heavy snow falls either!

A rigid steel framed porch awning is much more suited to all year round use, but of course, they're not quick to put up which is not so handy on short breaks.

Thanks to all you commented

Ordered the Porchlite XL in the end - seemed to be best fit for our van and sounds roomy.   Well only ordered on Sunday late evening and we had it delivered at 8.30 this morning - Well impressed with the speed of delivery.

Had a quick look at it in the house and checked all there - looks really good, had partly up in the lounge and there looks like a lot of space for what we need and it is less than half the weight of the big full awning that we have.

Have convinced hubby need to take van away this Saturday to test out the awning, so lets hope its not too wet and windy!

Thanks again for the comments, will let you know if Porchlite XL stands up well to the weather

Kris