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We all know how changeable the weather can be in the UK and so, where do folks go to sleep if they have been sleeping in the awning and winds are suddenly forecast?

Likewise, at what point does one decide that the lovely evening breeze that was keeping the midges away is suddenly getting very iffy and those that are sound asleep in the awning had better put their crash helmets and suits of armour on?

In other words, if you are going to allow your family to sleep in the awning, then head for Spain or the south of France in the summer.

If you are staying in the UK, buy them a tent or get yourself a bigger caravan.

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 17/4/2010

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Long before tents that have all round guys and a bit of give and take start to collapse, caravan awning poles become detatched from the sidewall of the caravan and lash about inside the canvas before either tearing the canvas or simply collapsing in a heap.

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I've said this elsewhere, but if you are looking for a lightweight, look at a Kampa Fiesta.  They are more stable/sturdy than most lightweights and you can buy a bedroom annexe to zip on either side if you want to use.

Here is a picture:

There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone sleeping in their awning as long as they are aware of the fact that if there are damaging winds through the night when they are in their sleeping bags and sound asleep, that they will have to get up, possibly in the dark and in a situation where there is every possiblity that there will be poles and canvas collapsing on top of them.

I have woken on a few mornings on campsites to see awnings strewn across the site and on a few occasions I have taken down my awning when overnight gales have been forecast.

Like anything else, as long as you know what could happen, then you can either take precautions or chance your luck.

Personally I wouldn't let my pets sleep in an awning, never mind my loved ones.

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 17/4/2010

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We all know how changeable the weather can be in the UK and so, where do folks go to sleep if they have been sleeping in the awning and winds are suddenly forecast?

Likewise, at what point does one decide that the lovely evening breeze that was keeping the midges away is suddenly getting very iffy and those that are sound asleep in the awning had better put their crash helmets and suits of armour on?

In other words, if you are going to allow your family to sleep in the awning, then head for Spain or the south of France in the summer.

If you are staying in the UK, buy them a tent or get yourself a bigger caravan.

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IIt's a forecast - that means that there is a warning ! Even on one of the (many) occasions when forecast is wrong - if  the wind picks up & is getting `iffy' then you use your common sense & get yourself out of the awning & take it down if you've any sense - whatever country you're camping in.

Not everyone wants to buy a tent,  or a bigger caravan, & not everyone can afford to even if they want it anyway.