We were looking at one and a couple of people came up to us in the showroom and said don't bother they had nothing but trouble with theirs and the after sales service was terrible. I think there has been a few threads already on this, no doubt someone can put a link to them.
As with everything there are going to be votes for good and bad, but these were saying if you get a leak somewhere while you are away you may be limited, one of theirs fell down in the night while her grandson was sleeping in there. At least with poles you can probably bodge something to get you through.
------------- Claire and Colin
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The poles have lockout valves in them so you open all valves to inflate then close off all the valves and this isolates each pole so if you have a leak only the one pole goes down and you know where the leak is.
I think kampa are the leaders when it comes to air awnings but they are not cheap!!! We just sold our Isabella Magnum porch awning to buy the new Kampa Fiesta pro air.
Hoping it will be as easy as it looks to put up as this is the only reason we bought it.
The pro series is made from thicker meterial and so is heavier but looks far better than the thinner meterial.
Quote: Originally posted by pencamper on 19/2/2015
Try the Kampa ones
We have just bought a air pro
The poles have lockout valves in them so you open all valves to inflate then close off all the valves and this isolates each pole so if you have a leak only the one pole goes down and you know where the leak is.
I think kampa are the leaders when it comes to air awnings but they are not cheap!!! We just sold our Isabella Magnum porch awning to buy the new Kampa Fiesta pro air.
Hoping it will be as easy as it looks to put up as this is the only reason we bought it.
The pro series is made from thicker meterial and so is heavier but looks far better than the thinner meterial.
Pencamper
Please keep us updated how you get on with the new awning, I am considering doing the same as you. Good luck.
Bought one last year. We decided that it was better quality than Kampa (check things like the pegging system & denier of material)
It's also a much nicer looking awning than Kampa - our own opinion, obviously.
It has a squarer front profile which means more usable space.
We haven't found that ours loses any air - and it stood up very well to continuous strong winds.
The Kampa has the more convenient 'one point' inflation system - but those rigid interconnecting valves are glued into place in the thing plastic inflatable inners and are (again in our opinion) a potential source of trouble. I can easily foresee them chafing and damaging the inner tubes.
No regrets here - but it's your money and your choice. Have a look at them both and decide for yourself - best not to be influenced by those against Vango, or those in favour.
Finally, the 2014 Varkala 420 can now be bought for around £500 - great value, the 2015 Vango models have more conveniently placed valves (higher up the tubes) but are otherwise the same. The new valves are undeniably handy - but at almost half the new price, the 2014 models are worth the minimal extra effort to inflate them.
Will keep you informed Bruneval
Don't know when the first trail will be !!!
We are booked to go away at Easter but will almost certainly want to try it out before then.
had one for over a year now had no trouble with it find it eay to put up and take down tried the kampa first but sold it after the first use not as good as the vango but thats just my opinion.
We went to the NEC specifically to see the air awnings. The Varkala is lovely, but on the ad it states for light use only? I'm a bit concerned/confused about the 'denier' rating for the air awnings. The rep at Vango says theirs has 420d,and that is the best waterproof. All the others we checked out have only 150d. Does this mean they won't last. We've heard some real horror stories.
I liked the Bradcot aspire, has anyone got/tried one.
Quote: Originally posted by pencamper on 21/2/2015
Will keep you informed Bruneval
Don't know when the first trail will be !!!
We are booked to go away at Easter but will almost certainly want to try it out before then.
We bought ours last year its the Varkala 420 and we are more than happy with it. Its never lost air, its sturdy and easy to put up. Quality is good and size perfect. Our friends have bought them since we bought ours and they are all happy with theirs. We used it in France with the fronts rolled up, we had a storm and used the storm straps it never budged unlike our old Fiamma that collapsed and nearly went over the van!! Weve also used it in Wales in bad weather and it stood up to it with no problems. The hardest part is pegging it out. The fabric is good on this awning and its easy to dry out. Weve had no condensation problems and most awnings are only designed for light use unless you buy an all season one.
Went to the NEC last weekend, specifically to look at awanings, had the idea of an air one in mind. Prior to show, had liked the look of Vango, but we actually came away with a Bradcott. Liked the look of it, the lifetime guarantee, and various other features. Did not like the Kampa, mainly because of those connections.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
I noticed at the Jan show that most of the awnings were air ones and very few pole ones! Looks like they are all following in the success of the air awnings, when we bought ours last year there were only a few and we paid in excess of £700 for ours, you can now get them for around £500 for last years model. We really like ours and cant fault it.
checkley1973, doors were on awning side, I think towards the front.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder