Legal advice regarding awnings

when we decided on getting the caravan, we looked at lots of different models and layouts.

we wanted an awning, but not a full one, as we prefer to look out from the lounge onto the locale than the inside of an awning

there were several options available, but not all in one place

we went to the NEC show. Ordered caravan from a dealer. When asking about an air awning the salesman didn't know about them.

we visited awning sellers/makers to enquire if their offering would fit the caravan we had ordered.

of all the awning people, only one offered us a tape measure to measure the display awning, take photos, borrow it to go back to the display caravan, measure it, take photos then return to go through everything before ordering the awning. Superb service.

we are in our 6th season with a Bradcot Aspire Air 390 awning.

pays to take your time and find a supplier who knows their product, not a salesman.

chalk your situation down to experience and move on.

As my original post stated!

I did not pick the size of awning!!!! I did not understand all I wanted was an air awning to fit the new caravan.

I bought the caravan from 3a’s and on the same day asked for an air awning to fit. 
The Vango looked a good sturdy one! Hells bells if I cant relly on a reputable dealer to sell me an awning on a new caravan bought on the same day that fits properly where should I go? Builders merchants?

But it does fit. It just goes over a window, and as I and others have said, that is acceptable to many. It seems you did not specify a size that didn't cover a window.

There is no point in getting frustrated because you are not getting the answers you want. Put it down to experience and either live with it or part exchange it to the size you prefer. I got a great part ex. deal when I realised the steel poles of the first awning I bought were far too heavy and part exchanged it for my Isabella commodore with carbon poles.

An interesting comment with very good advice but rather depressing to know the salesman was employed to sell caravans but knew nothing about awnings and that salesmen who are employed to sell awnings, very rarely bother to have a tape measure with them!

When we wanted a Thule wind out awning for our Pegasus the person i spoke to at one of the Birmingham shows ,tok OH and I via the staff only route, complete with tape measure and step ladder, to the Bailey stand to ensure we had the max length that would fit on the roof line of our caravan

Unfortunately, if you do not consider the awning is useable with your van  and you really do want one you may have to start again.

It’s a lesson, JR. Do your own research and never ever rely on a salesman.

I'm afraid you need to bite the bullet on this one and accept that, yes, the awning fits but you failed to consider how it would sit on your van.

Now, I recommend a stiff drink and a distressing session as there’s nothing we here can do to change the situation.

Afternoon

JR, how much for your used awning then?

JK

Are we expecting an alien to drop down and buy it or could it be ONE OF US! 

The question I would ask is.......is it a full awning.....or a porch awning? There is a difference.  What did you ask the salesman to provide?

If a full awning then it should not come across a window, it should fit the van end to end.  Most handbooks will state what size awning the van needs.

if a porch awning then I would have checked that the size was such that it would not foul a window, there are many sizes available.

A porch awning will never, in my experience, be as weathertight as a full awning, since the ends are not held by the awning rail.