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Hi there all

Just taken delivery of brand new van (Bailey Pageant Bretagne) and this is my first caravan. please can someone help? I want to buy an awning and do not know what one to buy, I am looking for something that is quick to put up and gives me some space.

looked at some Bradcots look great and quite like the suncamp Ultima 390 as it is very light and quick to put up, but not sure what to do?

The idea of the caravan was to not have the hassle you get with a tent. (long time setting up and taking down).

Needs

Full awning for long stays.

Porch for short stays

Can any suggest makes and models please, also do not what to pay the earth for them.

Many thanks

hi look here first.......and welcome too

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=103

many thanls will have to look in to it more

thanks

gary

We have a Sunncamp full awning for our Bailey Ranger - the first time we put it up it took just over an hour, the next time we did it in about 45 minutes.  We have only used it twice so far (only got caravan in Sept last year) but it seems a very good, well made awning and was considerably cheaper than the Doremas or Isabellas of the same size.  The poles came already numbered and the instructions were fairly clear.  We got it from Towsure in Southampton but they stock them in lots of places.

Fat Bum

Chap in the next van to us has one of those types of awning, they're really lightweight, but it looks like raincoat material to me. 

Jenny

The lightweight porches are quick and simple to erect, for short stays - but do watch out for models which have pole ends which could dent the side wall of the van.  Bear in mind also that they're not intended to be used in rough weather.  You really don't want a cheap awning that is going to cause expensive damage to your van!

We have the Sunncamp Scenic Plus, (which we use with rubber awning pole 'suckers' to protect the van).   It is just going into it's third year of life - probably it's last.  I don't think you could expect a great deal more than that from this type of awning.  We will buy something similar next time - rather like the look of the new 2007 Porchlite XL that you can buy on here  http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/membershop/bd_porchliteXL.asp

For a full awning, I would recommend buying second-hand at the outset.  This will give you a couple of seasons to find out what you really do and don't want from this type of investment.  After that, you could sell it on with very little loss and buy something more 'refined' to your particular needs based on experience.  It will also keep the spending down at a time when you seem to do nothing but buy, buy, buy for the new van! 

If you do decide to go for a new full awning - take a good at the Ventura brand.  They're made under licence to Isabella (the market leader in awnings) but at signficantly lower prices - achieved by producing them in eastern europe.

Dorset Belle

The awning we have is the SunnCamp Presitge - it does not look like raincoat material it is a proper canvas awning.  It also has zip out sections  or you can get veranda poles for it. We have also bought the annex and inner tent so that our boys can sleep in it if they wish.

With Isabella and Dorema you a just paying for a name, they are well overpriced for what they are - a posh 3 sided frame tent!

Fat Bum

Hi Go Large

We bought a Pyramide Tuscany Awning very good value and very good quality,easy to put up and good large area when errected, next purchase will be an Annexe extention for extra bedrooms or storage when on site for long stays etc.

Happy Caravaning to you and yours,

Regards

Woggle