Well I have just used my Bradcot Classic with the easy alloy poles and I am most impressed. Bought second hand from ebay and will be sad to see it go if I have to change the van. The pole system is fantastic, only two poles to connect together. What a piece of engineering. Take a look and see for yourself.
Define best ? Best quality ?, best value for money ? Best size for your needs ? Best / easiest erection ?
All depends on your individual needs. Yes issabella are fantastic but theres a lot that can do the same job for half the price but may not last as long over the years. A lot of people lust for issabella to show the badge off.
I have an issabella porch and a fullsize dorema, both great awnings.
We've got a Bradcot Modus and think it feels good quality. It takes about an hour to put up though, perhaps longer. We like the look of it which is why we bought it.
We've also got a small Sunncamp porch awning which goes up in minutes. £79 all in from local caravans
We had another sunncamp 390 before which lasted 4 years and was about £200.
We like the sunncamps as they are a little cheaper than Kampa awnings. I've never owned a Kampa, but looked closely at shows. They seem to be a little better quality than our Sunncamps, but they are a bit more expensive.
Some people spend a lot more on awnings because they have them on seasonal pitches or they tour fewer sites and stay longer. Have a look at the Woofers thread. There are loads on there to look at.
We quite like the look of the new Strand 390 at the moment.
Have fun choosing!
I think it comes down to how much you want to spend, how long you want to spend putting it up and how much room you want in it.
Hundreds of used ones to choose from on ebay. Some have only been used a couple of time and are like new, but with a massive saving over the cost of a shop bought one.
I'd definately avoid any that say they have been used on a seasonal pitch though, because those ones tend to suffer the most with longterm UV damage, which weakens the fabric and the stitching. They also tend to be left up in bad weather conditions for weeks at a time so poles can get bent and fabric overstretched.
------------- 2015 - our 1st year of caravanning with a new baby. Can't wait! :)
We are also looking at the Strand awning - seemed to be along the same lines re: design as the Kampa but cheaper.
Large canvas awnings are now out for us - too heavy to lump about and then erecting them is a 2 man job. Nice once they are set up for longer holidays but then there is all the faffing around wondering whether to take it down and checking out the weather forecast.
Isabella awnings do look good - frankly they should be at that price. We had a full Dorema awning that was second hand when we got it - not faded at all and still in good condition after about 12 years use, so personally I would buy Dorema if I was in the market for a canvas job.
weve got full isabella awning, isabella porch and an isabella sun canopy....think my husband likes the isabella range!!!
------------- Oct 2013- south lytchett manor dorset
Feb 2014- Lady Heyes
April 2014- Jasmine Park
May 2014 - Jasmine Park Again....
July 2014 - Gwithian
Oct 2014 - Beverley Park
Unless you are going to be on a seasonal pitch and leave your awning up for 7 months of the year I can't see the point of paying stupid money for an awning. We have a leisure wise full size awning now and it has all the features of a much more expensive awning like privacy blinds and quick release polls etc. Before this awning we had a away daze turino lux which is identical to the leisure wise we have now and after two years when we sold it it was still like new and I would have another at the drop of a hat. Towsure sell them.
------------- Easter - Burford
May - WoodFarm Dorset
June - IOW
Aug - can't decided
October - Yorkshire
Plus many more weekends at every possible chance!
Very sturdy, and although I haven't been in any gales or the like yet we have experienced winds and it didn't move, remember because its air it returns to its position instead of buckling! Coddle to erect and even easier to take down, curtains etc are basic , not fancy but who cares. Defo a good bit of kit, just be prepared for the people watching you put it up and down and the subsequent questions....