Awning advice

The main difference between steel and the others aluminium or carbon fibre is simply weight. A steel frame can seriously damage your health in carrying and also extra weight in the car, and van if you keep under the payload. We've not used a frame awning for a few years but used to have a  lighter carbon fibre poles and it stood up to a few heavy winds here at home. The roof was supposed to reflect the heat but it never got that hot, and when it did just unzip the sides panels.

Consider air awning if you haven't, far easier to put up (though you still have to peg it out) they are as heavy and from comments on here stands up to heavy winds quite well. A few minutes pumping and the frame is up.  I wouldn't go back to a frame awning.

Hi, As you will discover we have a habit of using different terms for the same thing which can cause confusion telling someone that you need a size 15 may be met with blank looks. You need to know the A measurement-the distance around the awning channel from ground to ground- and then your search will be far easier.

In regard to types then budget may affect things but go for the best you can afford and I would start by looking at the clubs classifieds and ebay etc.

We currently have two awnings, both Isabella,and that's how sourced them. We have considered an Air awning, and may get one in the future, but are happy with our Magnum for short stays and use our Sun Shine on our longer stays, where the flexibility is great, but it is not really an all year round UK awning.

When I had my Sprite Alpine 4 the awning size (per handbook) was 903cm, purchased a German awning (in 2006 cost £800), size 12, 881 - 910cm, so a good fit. Awning manufactures have different sizes, so check which is best for yours. Have now got a new Compass Omega 482 the awning size is 920cm and guess what the awning fits it OK and still in good condition for it's age. It has a steel frame and stands up well in 60mph winds with it's storm straps on. Material is woven acrylic walls with a PU coated polyester roof, so no condensation and good for all weathers in the UK and Europe.

Many years ago, when we had an awning, it had fibreglass / carbon poles, which were far lighter than steel or aluminium and did the job just fine - it stood up to some very strong winds.

We no longer have an awning and count our blessings every time we arrive or leave that we no longer have to wrestle with the thing.

I would strongly recommend that you consider whether you really need a full length awning as, depending on the size of your caravan, it can be quite a handful. One that covers only part of your caravan side may be adequate - it depends what you want to do in it. From what I see on sites, these shorter ones seem to be very popular these days. Also, they don't have to be a perfect fit for the caravan (just chose the size you want) and can be transferred from one caravan to another.

It always puzzles me that although nine out of ten Motorhome owners don't have an awning, yet nine out of ten Caravan owners do - even though caravans are usually more spacious inside than motorhomes. Awnings really are hard work. 

i second that point, ET.....its almost as though caravanners feel they 'have' to have an awning.....or perhaps they arent a real caravanner?

yes, if you have a gaggle of kids (or dogs, or both) to occupy when its raining, perhaps an awning might do the trick, but for most couples, isnt a van big enough to sit in when its dark or raining, and if its nice out, sit outside?

each to their own, but worth challenging the reason every time, imho

Could it be that motor  caravans have "itchy feet" 

I agree with the above.......I'm sure that a lot of people have awnings because they've always had awnings. Perhaps a hangover from the days of cramped 12 foot caravans.

Our caravan is plenty big enough for us, although I can see the advantage of a small awning for people with dogs.

Still each to their own.......and it provides good entertainment watching people still fighting with the awning (and each other) while we sit having lunch and a glass of wine.

It could simply be that as (now as a MHers this may surprise you) caravans stay put on site for the whole their stay, so the awning stays puts and only needs to be put up once and taken down once? I know that MH's do have drive away awnings, but I assume you have to unfix/fix them to the MH somehow each time you go off site? Actually I wouldn't be too happy leaving these awnings up while off site, winds for one thing. I'm not making any comment or judgements on those that do but I personally wouldn't do it, or make any jokes,  or winks about them like some like to do about caravaners, or say that Mhers don't feel like they are true motorhomers if they do have one

An porch awning for me is to put shoes, coats, towels. When we stay for longer, we have a full one and it's an extra room. Think of it like a bit like having a conservatory put up at home. I mean did you really need that extra space?