Posted on 11/10/2022 21:10
Hello,
We have just got our new-to-us ford transit mk7 van conversion and are looking at awnings. We're very new to this but have done some research that suggests drive away and air awnings might be the way to go. But there are still so many to choose from. Any advice or recommendations would be great!
Size-wise what do people find is safe as a bet to fit within most camp pitches?
Thanks so much for your help!
Posted on 11/10/2022 21:24
Welcome!
I can’t help with awning type as I’ve never had one and don't want one because it removes the 'get up and go' advantage of MHs.
However, if you’re sure you want one, why not look around at second hand offerings. People often buy them and then sell when they change their minds. The club's Classified ads - top of the page - might be a starting point.
Enjoy your van. What is the conversion?
1 person likes this
Posted on 12/10/2022 09:55
Hi and welcome.
Firstly, I would suggest that you use your van as it is a few times to see how you manage without an awning. At this time of year would you need an awning? Remember that you will have to transport it in the van and the chances are that it will be wet when you take it down. You are likely to have to transport it on the floor of your van and then put it up in the garden to dry.
We bought our first van ( a high top VW) in 2002 and immediately bought an awning as we thought that we would need more living space. We hardly used the awning even when erected apart from for storage, and soon decided that we didn't need one. We had that van for 6 years and then changed to a medium wheelbase Boxer van conversion. In our 14 years of ownership we have never felt the need for an awning, including on continental trips of up to 11 weeks duration.
Before spending money on a drive away awning I would recommend that you consider why you think that you would need one and when, how and why you would use it. If you intend to tour in your van staying for a couple of nights or so on a site before moving on then you may decide that it is not worth putting up and taking down the awning. If you have it with you it will either have to be put up or stored in the van, taking up space.
If you are thinking of using an awning for storage you may wish to consider this. On our longer trips we took a small 2 man tent which was very compact when folded up. If we were staying on a site for a longish time we put it up next to the van to store chairs etc. We found that this was very convenient. When we had bikes, we locked them together and covered them with tarpaulin which we found to be satisfactory.
Please don't think that I am trying to put you off buying an awning. What suited us may not suit you. We do have a wind out awning/sun shade which at times has been useful but we don't even think that is essential.
Hopefully. you will enjoy the campervan lifestyle as much as we have over the years.
Best wishes.
2 people like this
Posted on 12/10/2022 09:55 by dunelmHi and welcome.
Firstly, I would suggest that you use your van as it is a few times to see how you manage without an awning. At this time of year would you need an awning? Remember that you will have to transport it in the van and the chances are that it will be wet when you take it down. You are likely to have to transport it on the floor of your van and then put it up in the garden to dry.
We bought our first van ( a high top VW) in 2002 and immediately bought an awning as we thought that we would need more living space. We hardly used the awning even when erected apart from for storage, and soon decided that we didn't need one. We had that van for 6 years and then changed to a medium wheelbase Boxer van conversion. In our 14 years of ownership we have never felt the need for an awning, including on continental trips of up to 11 weeks duration.
Before spending money on a drive away awning I would recommend that you consider why you think that you would need one and when, how and why you would use it. If you intend to tour in your van staying for a couple of nights or so on a site before moving on then you may decide that it is not worth putting up and taking down the awning. If you have it with you it will either have to be put up or stored in the van, taking up space.
If you are thinking of using an awning for storage you may wish to consider this. On our longer trips we took a small 2 man tent which was very compact when folded up. If we were staying on a site for a longish time we put it up next to the van to store chairs etc. We found that this was very convenient. When we had bikes, we locked them together and covered them with tarpaulin which we found to be satisfactory.
Please don't think that I am trying to put you off buying an awning. What suited us may not suit you. We do have a wind out awning/sun shade which at times has been useful but we don't even think that is essential.
Hopefully. you will enjoy the campervan lifestyle as much as we have over the years.
Best wishes.
AVVAN