Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Awning Poles, steel or fibreglass? Post Reply Post New Topic
05/10/2010 at 8:29pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Sprite Muskateer
View Trick's Profile View Profile   Reply to Trick Reply   Quote Trick Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   66

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Any advice or opinions on these?  Looking to buy a new NR awning but cant decide if the fibre poles are worth the extra dosh.  I know they will be lighter but not as strong.  Coming from a tenting background the glassfibre poles were always the cheap rubbish version.  Part of me says go for the extra strength of steel as the kids are bound to ride their bikes into it etc!!! and I wont lay awake at night worrying if its all going to break in the wind.  The other part says save the weight and youll find it easier to put up (probably on my ownsome!).  Any ideas?


05/10/2010 at 8:55pm
 Location: High Peak
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI 2017 Hyundai Santa F
View Lassie's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lassie Reply   Quote Lassie Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1908

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

We've have used Bradcot alloy poles on our porch awning and never had any issues with the weather.We've just bought an Isabella porch awning with the carbon X lightwieght poles. The poles feel very light but we're not using the new awning til later in October so can't comment on them yet.


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

05/10/2010 at 9:09pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles SR 636 Nissan Navara
View bobsbabes's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobsbabes Reply   Quote bobsbabes Quote  
Joined: 22/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2584
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

we have steel and its not hard to put up single handed !!

-------------
hello


05/10/2010 at 11:29pm
 Location: Rochdale
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc
View janus's Profile View Profile   Reply to janus Reply   Quote janus Quote  
Joined: 05/2/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2979

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Trick on 05/10/2010
Any advice or opinions on these?  Looking to buy a new NR awning but cant decide if the fibre poles are worth the extra dosh.  I know they will be lighter but not as strong.  Coming from a tenting background the glassfibre poles were always the cheap rubbish version.  Part of me says go for the extra strength of steel as the kids are bound to ride their bikes into it etc!!! and I wont lay awake at night worrying if its all going to break in the wind.  The other part says save the weight and youll find it easier to put up (probably on my ownsome!).  Any ideas?
having used NR awnings steel poles and also the fibreglass poles that they supply there is no way that I would ever use their steel poles again. When you are under the awning and need to extend the poles you find that the poles extend and the end bracket that is supposed to stay in place moves with the pole you pull out, so then you have to start all over again and physically hold the bracket in place until the pole is the right length so that you can tighten the wing nut to hold the pole in place. Never again.

-------------
Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci


05/10/2010 at 11:52pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Nissan X-Trail & Bailey Ranger
View Viggo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Viggo Reply   Quote Viggo Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1303

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Trick on 05/10/2010Any advice or opinions on these?  Looking to buy a new NR awning but cant decide if the fibre poles are worth the extra dosh.  I know they will be lighter but not as strong.  Coming from a tenting background the glassfibre poles were always the cheap rubbish version.  Part of me says go for the extra strength of steel as the kids are bound to ride their bikes into it etc!!! and I wont lay awake at night worrying if its all going to break in the wind.  The other part says save the weight and youll find it easier to put up (probably on my ownsome!).  Any ideas?



Fibre awning poles are excellent, in my experience, and the difference in weight is very noticeable. I'd certainly never consider fibre poles to be the "cheap rubbish version" - or even the expensive rubbish version!

If your kids are riding their bikes into the side of your awning, it's not the poles that are your problem.

            

-------------
* You never know where you're going 'til you get there...


Advertisement



06/10/2010 at 5:35am
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: abbey vogue gts 416 and passat
View country boy's Profile View Profile   Reply to country boy Reply   Quote country boy Quote  
Joined: 08/2/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   862

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

 hi there Trick, we have had issues with light wieght ally poles in wind. we had our awning compleatly distroyed in high winds, twice. i have never tryed the glass fiber ones so i dont know but i certainly will never bother with ally poles again. in any case me and the wife have said we wont buy a full awning again. i aint going to keep spending a lot of money just to have it blown away. we know use a compact lightwieght porch awning that goes up in less than 20 mins.

 

                           Richard :)



-------------
bung dit in



06/10/2010 at 7:04am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S
View JTQU's Profile View Profile   Reply to JTQU Reply   Quote JTQU Quote  
Joined: 01/11/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2189

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

If its for a touring caravan rather than a winter seasonal caravan then the GRP or CRP poles are a way better option to live with that steel.


06/10/2010 at 10:02am
 Location: nr Derby
 Outfit: Phoenix 440+
View jaiash's Profile View Profile   Reply to jaiash Reply   Quote jaiash Quote  
Joined: 09/7/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3771

Site Reviews Total: 26
Site Reviews 2024: 3  
Site Reviews 2023: 2  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 6  
Site Nights 2024: 6
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 34

Have had steel, alloy and now fibre,  i wonder why i didn't go for fibre years ago! 


06/10/2010 at 10:20am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View shirl250's Profile View Profile   Reply to shirl250 Reply   Quote shirl250 Quote  
Joined: 16/7/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   730

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

The fibre ones that came with our 2nd hand Isabella are really strong and thick and stood up to a good pounding last month. I was more worried about the awning rail ! The weight difference is unbelievable - I can lift all the awning poles, I have trouble lifting just the steel annex poles ! Plus there is less condensation with the fibre ones I'm told.... ! I've read somewhere that the good fibre poles are as strong if not stronger than steel poles !


06/10/2010 at 10:41am
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Sprite Muskateer
View Trick's Profile View Profile   Reply to Trick Reply   Quote Trick Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   66

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks for all your help everyone.  I'm gonna bite the bullet and go for Fibre, anything that makes it easier has to be worth it!


Advertisement



06/10/2010 at 11:11am
 Location: Arley Nr Coventry
 Outfit: Everything !!!
View Jacksonsarley's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jacksonsarley Reply   Quote Jacksonsarley Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2010

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   139

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Fibreglass poles all the way !
More expensove to replace of they break but i sell alot more spare steel poles to fibre by about 50 - 1 if not more.


06/10/2010 at 12:07pm
 Location: Polesworth Warwickshire
 Outfit: Bailey Unicorn III Valencia (LR Disco)
View D S B's Profile View Profile   Reply to D S B Reply   Quote D S B Quote  
Joined: 06/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4700

Site Reviews Total: 26
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I would go for the good fibre poles.  Even the fibre poles for full awnings do vary in quality.  I think the new Isabella 'darker' fibre poles are excellent.  I was less happy with the older 'very lighter' dorema fibre poles - I found them less substantial.  The 'standard greyish' ones that come with the Eurovent and other less expensive awnings are very good, and I would always prefer these to the steel - nicer to handle and lighter - have never had a problem with them doing the job.

On the other hand I would never again buy a lightweight porch awning with the very thin fibre poles - they're something else!!.  My lightweight porch has steel poles!?  Never had experience with the light alloy poles although I have read that they are not as good as steel and good fibre.



-------------
David


06/10/2010 at 1:43pm
 Location: Arley Nr Coventry
 Outfit: Everything !!!
View Jacksonsarley's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jacksonsarley Reply   Quote Jacksonsarley Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2010

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   139

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

the darker poles on the Isabella awnings are carbon fibre poles. Its fibre glass on the outside with carbon fibre rods going down the middle which makes them alot stronger and flexible in the winds

Hope This Helps
Ben



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














4668 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder