Air Awning

We've had/ still got a variety of porch awnings in a variety of sizes ranging from a very lightweight Outdoor Revolution porch with sprung GRP poles through a 2.5 m poled Kampa Rally Pro to 390 Kampa Air Pro. En route we have also owned an Outdoor Revolution air awning (not very good). Our dealer's technicians didn't enjoy the multiple tube blowups of the Vanga, and I recall that someone on another thread on this forum, created substitute inflatable poles from plastic drain pipe, to avoid that chore.

i think that Kampa quality and service is hard to beat, and pretty well unsurpassed with their Rally Pro range, but oh my goodness the weight of their large air awnings in Rally Pro range is enough to deter the faint hearted or frail older vanner. Definitely a two person job to thread along the rail with their bigger awnings. But, the chore of pegging out remains, however your awning is held up, leavening the short time saved by inflating air beams paling into insignificance. If you can justify the cost of a Kampa Rally Air Pro you will be pleased with your purchase, but the cost isn't for everyone.

Take not of the thread 'They went BANG' where there are reports of air awnings exploding, before making any decision, especially if you intend to use it during hot weather, or in Europe.  This reminded me that friends had the same thing happen with their 'air tent' when using it in France last year.

We also have a Kampa Air Pro 390 - have used it all-year round for the last two years and it has been brilliant, withstanding all sorts of weathers including horrendous gales in Dartmouth two weeks ago - all without any issues.  As for Corona's comment above - they do leak slightly in some places for the first couple of times, but rest-assured, once the stitching has had a good soaking and swells, this problem disappears permanently.

I also use an electric pump but didn't buy the Kampa one since I understand it can take up to 20 minutes to inflate a large awning such as ours.  I bought something called a "BP 12" - intended for inflating dinghies - and complete with pressure switch - which whilst even more expensive than the Kampa one at £85, blows our 390 up in 3 minutes!

I have had a Kampa 390 for 3 years and have been very pleased with it. However I had never experienced how the awning would cope in a very strong storm - until a few weeks ago! It was impressive. In extremely strong wind with very violent gusts the awning just bent - sometimes quite alarmingly - but it always bounced back. I now have complete confidence in the awning.

Agree - if the weather forecasts / summaries are to be believed, we were getting 50 mph winds in Dartmouth when we were there (in a very exposed spot) and other than a couple of pegs pulling out, everything was fine - and most importantly, no damage to the van.

I can report on my post above. It is correct about allowing the beading to weather.

Just returned from a very wet North wales and there was not a drop of water leaking through now.

Signed

One happy bunny.

Outdoor Revolution air awnings (maybe other manufactuers as well) have an air bleed valve that releases the over pressure. Also whistles a bit if I pump too hard.  

Or that maybe that's me wheezing when I pump ;-)

rgds