Message Forums

Can anyone give a plus point for having a sun canopy?

The reason I ask is that we've just bought a 3m one off eBay with the intention of giving it to the in-laws as an anniversary present but are toying with the idea of keeping it for ourselves but I can't think of a valid reason to keep it.

The van is on a permanent site so wouldnt be an issue with towing and it flapping around but can you leave it up when it's windy? I also wonder why I'd need shade from the sun, we never go abroad & when I do sit outside the van I like sitting in the sun then can move my chair into the caravans shadow if needs be.

I don't think we'd ever buy the sides as we've got a porch and normal awning too.

We're trying it on our van this weekend to make sure it's ok and I'm sure I must be missing a blindingly obvious reason why we'd benefit from keeping it.

We did think of having a canopy, but when in france we noticed that many of the Continentals simply just remove the awning panels, or just leave half the front and one end panel in place.   So this is what we will do. Same facilities, and less to carry.

Bertie.

If there's much wind they're a lot more vulnerable that a full awning. Not something I could feel relaxed about going away for a walk & leaving up. Also though they're generally quicker to erect than a full awning they're again a lot dodgier to get up if it's breezy.

They are of course much lighter than full awning, we always attach storm straps, although we did have one hairy night in France, when I was panicing a bit, but on the whole first class

 Stew

We've got a sun canopy we used once in France. Not hugely stable in strong winds but they are very quick and easy to put up and take down.

However, ours doesn't have sides which means that rain gets blown in and low sun (ie. every morning and evening) means there is little shade at those times. That is why we have just bought a full awning for the first time (and using it tomorrow on our first trip of the year ). I just plan to remove the front and maybe one side when we go over to France later in the year...

So, to answer the OP, the only good reason is the ease of setup.

Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 14/4/2011

---

We did think of having a canopy, but when in france we noticed that many of the Continentals simply just remove the awning panels, or just leave half the front and one end panel in place.   So this is what we will do. Same facilities, and less to carry.

Bertie.

---

Dippy's comment about vulnerability to wind is a good point.  The open conditions of a partially erected awning would allow thw wind to get under it, so using the storm straps is probably an essential step for keeping it secure.

Bertie.