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I was wondering why Isabella awnings appear to be much more expensive than equivalent models from other manufacturers e.g. NR, Bradcot, Dorema etc. Is the quality of an Isabella that much better or are you simply 'buying the badge'?

We are interested in either an Isabella Magnum or Dorema Vitesse XL part awning for our new 'van (as per my previous posting - still haven't decided yet!)

I'm still not sure if it's worth paying the extra money for an Isabella product. We would want to use an awning throughout the year and plan to own to for a long time.

What do you think? What experiences do you have with Isabella products?

Cheers!

Isabella are perceived to be the best whether they are worth the money is debateable . If you use the awning frequently & all year round its easier to justify the higher cost . However if you just use it for summer hols better value for money can be had elsewhere . If people are prepared to pay extra for the name it must speak volumes for the quality , i do believe there is an element of badge snobbery involved though ! Ive owned Bradcot , NR & Dorema & been happy with all 3 . I'd be interested to hear what others think.....

Hi.. we have an isabella soverigne (don't think i've spelt that right! lol!) Its ok...but to be honest, only bought it second hand, and wouldnt pay for a new one. Better awnings are out there.  Some friends of ours have an isabella and think the only way to go is down the isabella route..but tend to think they are a little dissolusioned!

Next time we'll get a cheaper one, and spend our pennies on something else! 

Ours is abit leaky, the porch overhang fills with water everytime it rains, so if you dont duck when you come throught the door, then you'll get as wet as a duck!

It sags around at the sides and never seems to look "Tidy"

The fibre glass poles ok, but if you happen to step on one of bang one against your van and damage the pole in anyway they are a BITCH to have repaired!

So...can you tell,...were not that keen! lol

Wilson Gang!

We are on our second Isabella Capri ... with Carbon X poles.

Yes I do think it is worth the extra cash.  We have had NR and Bradcot products in the past and they weren't a patch on the Isabella.

The quality is excellent and it is very easy to erect.

I wouldn't think twice about where my money would go as and when we need a new awning.

We have a isabella,got it with the van second hand.I wouldn't buy a new one though,think I would go for the Bradcot if I bought a new one the poles slot it much better.

 Netty

 I had a second hand isabella, I now have an NR porch awning and a pochlite plus.

 Isabella are better quality than the NR there is no doubt but they are triple the price. I don't know if you have had an awning before but it maybe better to go for the cheaper options first, you may change your mind on what you do want after you have been away with it a few times just as we did. I am glad we didn't invest a lot of money in a new full size Isabella. 

OUR FIRST ONE WAS A BRADCOT WHICH ALONG WITH OUR COACHMAN AMARA WAS STOLEN 18 MONTHS AGO.LAST YEAR WE BOUGHT A NEW ELLDIS STORM AND DECIDED TO BUY AN ISABELLA , MY HUSBAND & I FEEL THE CARBON POLES ARE STRONGER ,THE CANVAS IS BETTER QUALITY & I LIKE ALL THE ACCESORIES YOU CAN BUY FOR IT. IT WAS A BIT EXPENSIVE £1,500  (1068 SIZE) BUT FEEL IT WAS WORTH IT.

 BUT AFTER ALL THAT I LOVED OUR OTHER OUTFIT AS IT WAS OUR FIRST

dunno what size awning you need but there are two on the for sale boards on this site both about 200 quid both isabella. Incidentally all the isabella awnings I have seen do seem to be very good quality and they seem to fit their frames very well. Most of the wardens on the c &cc sites and cc sites seem to use isabella awnings however they are expensive. I would say they are a quality product but you are paying a premium for having that name on the canvas. That said I have a dorema and am very pleased with it.

Baileybear

Have Dorema stopped making the Madison awning as it is not on their web site any more?

we have the madison awning its very good for the money.

We recently bought an Isabella Ambassador Crown - just because we thought it would fit and look better than our Dorema President - which it does.

We did have a problem with the Isabella window foils (detailed in recent post), and have had the awning replaced by our retailer for this reason.

You may be interested to know that Ventura are owned by Isabella and have a lot in common with them, except that they are cheaper.  If you like Isabella, but are put off by the cost, then it might be worth taking a close look at the Venturas.

Despite the high cost, and the faulty experience - I am still very much a fan of the Isabella.

Not to mention that our Ambassador Crown's curtains are one of the most subtle designs available - not the overly 'busy' patterns that are the norm!!