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We are thinking of buying one of these just wondering what people who have one think of them.  We want to use it as just a canopy rather than buying the sides to make it into a full awning. 

Also looking at the Omnistor type too.

We have used one in the past, and as a quick weekend canopy they are fine. Bugger to get in the awning rail though as it is a very tight fit, but once they are in they are there to stay.

Jon

Now had them on two vans now and they always travel on the side of the van with no problems. They are very handy if you do a lot of touring, spending only a few days at a time on any one site. We rarely spend more that a week on a site. Make sure they are well pegged down with guy ropes, I even use an awning strap. We have a front sun blocker which we use quite a bit.

David

Used one for a season with the sun canopy and two sides. As a sun canopy they are great and had no issue leaving on the awning rail.

Mine is the "pre-zip" design and the sides always flapped and the gaps let in rain so tend to use a porch awning for short trips. Have kept to use as a sun shade on short trips in good weather (just not had any yet!). Doesn't take too long to put on or remove from awning rail.

We had a caravanstore and sunblocker side until recently and sold it.  Whilst they are great when up, our previous caravan sustained unexplained damage to side wall in transit, which we are certain was due to the caravanstore.  Our dealer even agreed with us, and said they don't recommend you leave them on in transit even though that's what's supposed to happen and why we bought it!! (didn't tell us that when selling it!)

We also found that in even light windy weather it was a liability and was more a worry keeping it up in case it blew over top of van as despite guy ropes and storm straps, the wind gets under them as you'd expect very easily.  In fact I was up at 3am one morning to take it down for that reason!

Personally I wouldn't have another one, and have instead gone for a carbon fibre porch which is brilliant and serves what we need it for when sides out.  Not as convenient admittedly but there you go.

Ben.

Caravanstor? This is the one you roll in and out by hand? Also known as "the boil in the bag" type awning?

I had one for years on my Transit self build motorhome. It was a good thing but the only thing to watch out for is when you run the thing out. Make sure you are holding it with both hands, or better still have some-one to help. I didn't and the awning came down with a rush. It has a large roller in the centre that helps to keep it in shape. This hit me on top of the head and I went down like a sack of spuds

The other thing that can shake you up is when the wind gets under them and they bang on the side of the vehicle. I wondered what the heck was going on the first time it happened to me