Awning Advice Required

Hi Simon, yes it's ok to part cover a window, with awning. It's just one of those things, we do it all the time, due to our awnings being older and not van specific / we didn't consider the width of them in relation to where our windows were / are. It's no problem, no damage or scratching. After years of flapping side on our porch awnings we invested in a couple of inflatable side tubes. These with the side skirt and wheel arch cover make a cozy place to sit in breezy conditions.

We haven't yet bought an " air " awning, so can't really comment on them, sorry. Other than to say that I do want one.😊

Good luck, Alex

When we had our Coachman Amara our Bradcot Aspire Air 260 fitted perfectly. We now have an Elddis Avante and have to have the awning running across one of the rear windows without any problems either getting a seal on the side of the caravan or damaging the window.

Ian.

the only thing I can add is that Air awnings are new technology and with that always comes higher prices, you either want one or you don't its personal choice, not necessarily better than a traditional awning just a lot quicker to erect apparently, no, I don't have one, would I ? If  money was no object maybe...I am looking for a new awning but it is a big expense.

Alison

(some people swear by them - others swear at them )

We have a Kampa Porch awning, I was looking round because people were telling me how good they were and the Isabella Minor we have is what it says on the bag, it's a Porch Awning. The Air Awning is nice although heavier than the Minor, to be honest I could erect the Minor on my own just as I can the Kampa, the pegging down is the same.

I was lucky that the Kampa had been used as a Demo the weekend before hence I, saved £160.

It, was fine in heavy rain and wind on the East Coast, so windy that the pegs were being pulled out.

Air Awnings don't suit everyone, I have seen a fair few up for sale on various websites.

I have a Kampa Rally 330 awning that doesn't cover a window so can't answer the first part of your question. 

I guess air awnings are more expensive because people are prepared to pay more for them. They have the advantage that they are quicker to put up than framed awnings although the pegging part takes the same time.

As for weight I don't think that air are any heavier, I've just looked at Kampa's site where they quote the weight of my 330 as 19.6Kg whereas the framed version is 23.5Kg but that was just a quick look so I could be wrong.

I  have a Kampa Pro 360 with poles; it has to cover a window when errected.  In the 4 years I have been using it there are no marks on the window and I get a pretty good seal to the caravan.  Never used an air awning.  After my OH has assisted threading it into the awning rail I can do the rest (poles in and pegging out)  in about 10 - 15  minutes whilst she puts the kettle on.

When we got our first twin axle caravan it seemed huge and we didn't want/need an awning that would have made it look like the circus was in town - not to mention covering over the side window in the lounge.

So I got some awning channel and fitted it down the side of the caravan between the window and the wheel arch.  A bit of gentle heat and bending got a shape similar to the rear of the caravan and a bit of filing made a small slot in the caravan's original channel.  Measured up the new shorter length and got an awning to suit.

Thanks everyone for the input and advice it's all a learning curve at the moment I now feel much happier about having an awning which may cover the window: )