Is this a good awning? We have decided to upgrade the entry level awning that we were offered with our new van, and like the look of this - does anyone have one and is it any good? I note that it is only 240cm deep - is the lack of 10cms worth worrying about???
We had a Senator Lux which was 250cm deep and was fantastic.. Our friends had the model below, a Montana which was 240cm and it felt much shallower. We have just had a new van and so we needed a new awning. We really did not want to go to 240cm so we took delivery yesterday of a Dorema Supreme 270 XL which is 270cm deep. I know the difference is only 10cm but we did really notice it.
Dont think you can go wrong with a Dorema. we have the exclusive with an annex and we think its a great piece of kit. I have upgraded the steel pole system to take the easy grip pole clamps which make adjustment really easy. I assume that your pole system will come with these as standard. I would also suggest buying a hercules pole tensioner which is like having a third hand.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
we have the montana and its a lovely awning much nicer than the pyramid tuscanny we had before which was 250 cms and we never noticed the difference (to the point i had to go and check the depth of the montana and the pyramid just now !!!)
I think we must be the only people on hear who wasn't keen on our Dorema (I think it was an Exclusive). It always seemed to pool water, material seemed thin in comparison to others and the fibre poles were definitely inferior IMHO. This was 4 years ago though, so they may be different now.
10 cms. is the best part of a foot in length so if your caravan was a foot narrower would it concern you? Well I think it would with most people but as the awning is basically an extention of the width of the caravan then the 10 cms. may not be so critical. You need to ask yourself what you actually need the extra space for, just for storing bikes etc. or will you utilise more space by inviting guests for meals and a drink etc. We sometimes use ours for the latter and having owned an awning previously which was 2.4 metres and now having a wider awning we certainly can tell the difference by gaining just that extra 10 cms. If you intend fixing an annexe then the fixings will be different as the 2.4 metre version will slide through the bottom part of the awning rail whereas the with the wider version the whole annexe zips all the way around so this is also something to consider. The difference I have known by having the wider awning is the extra weight in material plus slightly longer steel poles so you have to personally choose which awning will benefit you best.
bobsbabes: Yes you are quite right, I was getting mixed up with the 2.1 metre and 2.4 metre projection which works out a difference of 0.3 metres which is about 1/3rd of a metre which is is almost a foot in length. I didn't know that there was an awning wider than 2.4 metres actually. My apologies for this but I know that on the Bradcot 2.1 metre awning annexe, it fits around part of the front bottom awning rail and the 2.4 doesn't so you are quite right.
Did you go for this awning ? We have just purchased a Dorema Octavia for our seasonal pitch after having leaking problems with our kampa rally. We haven't put it up yet as the ground is like a quagmire !!! Does anyone have reviews on this awning ?