Being the proud owner of a new Sterling Europa 470, we would like an awning for it and have seen ones we like but i'm just not sure which way to go on size. Our van's handbook quotes "Awning size 908cm" and the awnings we are looking at are: size 10 858-909cm. and the next size is size 11 910-934cm.
If I go with the size 10, it only just falls inside the size range by 1cm, so my concern is what happens when i'm on sloping pitches? Will the awning be big enough?
If I go with the size 11 it's only 1cm larger than the quoted van size so there's a little more to play with, but will this look baggy? It's also more expensive but this is negligible.
i would go with the smaller one as the next size up will drag on the floor ours is too small for our van (its the one from our old van ) and its perfect iyswim
Hi. If you think about it, even on a sloping pitch, the overall length will be the same as on the flat. Just slide it over a bit until the sides are both the same distance from the ground. Also, the size 11 is suitable for 910 to 934, which means it should be around 922cm.
Thanks for your hep everyone. Ooops, of coarse it'll be the same length on a sloping pitch, silly me I'm still thinking in folding camper mode, where the awning zips on, so you can't pull it around the guttering. There were a few occasions when i had to lengthen the awning elastics on on end.
Hi Darren, I know its 18 months ago but do you still have the Sterling Europa 470. If so I'd be interested in which awning you bought as I have recently purchased that model of caravan. Thanks
Don't ever go with the next size down otherwise you will live to regret it and this is from the experience of other peoples downfalls too. You cannot stretch the material if the ground slopes away from the doorway and in severe cases there will also be a gap underneath where the wind comes through that's if the peg elastics will reach the ground. If you get the bigger size then you can pull the caravan up on ramps if need be to take up any slack but you can't do anything if the awning is too short. My previous Coachman caravan had an official awning rail size of 770 cms. and the only sizes available were either 750 cms. or a 780 cms. On my second trip out I was asking advice just like yourself and myself would have gone for the 750 cms. but having little experience I was pointed out the pitfalls of having the smaller size. I did get the 780 cms awning and glad that I did because there were occassions where the size 780 fitted just right and I know that the 750 would have been too short. Very occassionally I did have to use the ramps but each time I did I still managed to erect the awning. I have seen this twice too in the last 6 years on caravan parks where people have opted for the smaller size and had problems but after explaining the reasons to them they then fully understood what I was saying. The one couple had just spent over £700 on a brand new awning which they struggled with but still having their receipt and the fact that it was new, the dealer was helpful and did exchange it for them. In fact they were extremely lucky as it could have been an expensive loss but after their return with the new awning they confirmed that the dealer had explained that if they had asked for advice he would have also suggested purchasing the size bigger. They erected their new awning with delight on their faces when they seen that it was a much better fit and knew that they could well have been out of pocket. If you are still unsure then ask an awning manufacturer what size to buy and they should advise likewise.
Thanks for your full reply Tango. I think I'm going to start with a Porch awning which I can use during the cooler months and consider getting a full awning next year. I haven't measured the van yet but will bear your comments in mind.
Our caravan is a 450 model so the 470 will be slightly longer and the size that fits ours perfectly is a size 10 so by going on this information a size 10 would most probably be just short of what you need. It would help if you knew someone with a size 910 - 934 that you could possibly try first just to be sure before going and buying one as that way you will have no doubt which size you need.
I agree with tango55 we have a awning that goes up to 725cm but our caravan rail floor to floor is 725cm also and I know if we got a bad pitch we would struggle to make it fit.we are having it extended ready for next year. So I would definitely go for next size up you can easily get rid of any slack. As the saying goes you can get a little in a lot but not a lot in a little.
Cheers
Kev