14 replies to this topic

[Mister H]

Hi,

I'm thinking about either replacing our awning & polls, or having it repaired. I'm going to assume the latter probably isn't worth it looking at the cost of second hand awnings online. I wouldn’t by a new one as we only use it once a year and I can’t warrant the cost.

Ours is getting tired - it's lost a few eyelets and also a few rubber peg hoops, and some parts are ripped near the bottom. It's also brown!

I am going to need a full set of poles are ours are verging on knackered and are the old heavy steel type.

So, my questions are:

1. How to I know what size I need - is in the dependent on the length of the 'van?
2. Will a 2-man tent extension fit any awning, or will it be manufacturer specific (as we have one already)?
3. An other advice?

Many thanks,
Ritchie.

[GaryB]

Best thing is to go onto an awning manufacturers site (NR, Bradcot etc) and it shows how to measure your caravan, basically it is the total distance from the ground, right round the entire awning rail until the ground at the other end.  Its worth looking round your local caravan dealers as quite a few have second hand awnings for sale, beware if buying any off EBay as not all sellers know how to measure them correctly..........

[bi6als]

My awning guru

http://www.discountawnings.co.uk/

I have absolutely no connection.Im just astounded by his knowledge of awnings and hes a nice bloke. He has second hand awnings and wouldnt sell you a pup.

[olderbutnotwiser]

You also need to decide what sort of awning you want.

Do you really want the full awning?
These tend to be heavy, expensive and time consuming to put up and a pain to pack away if they are at all wet! Roomy and sturdy when up though, they can more than double the size of your caravan.

Or would you rather have a lightweight awning
Easier and quicker to erect and pack away usually much cheaper and dry more quickly when wet. However, less robust, not as roomy and usually have more draughts and a greater propensity to leak.

Or a porch awning
Useful if all you do is store coats, boots and other outdoor stuff in. These come in a wide variety of styles from lightweights costing not much over £50 new to Isabellas and the like costing several £100s. Again with the same disadvantages and advantages of the larger awnings.

[RogerL]

Don't buy aluminium poles, voice of experience! All poles bend in windy conditions but only steel or fibre poles will "spring" back to their original shape - alumium retains the bend which is virtually impossible to straighten and this makes extending/retracting the poles difficult.

Steel poles are heavy but cheap - fibre poles are light but expensive - so for a once-per-year use of a full awning get metal poles.

[Mister H]

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

I've been looking at something like this - any good? We don't really need a full awning and I thought this might be a better alterntive?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a72d5ab36

[Bigdrinks]

Looks like you'll need a huge pitch to peg those guy ropes out!

[GaryB]

We had one of those a few years ago & they're okay for storing shoes etc & occasional use, but the sloping nature of the roof means headroom is really limited inside and the lightweight material tears easily (I have the T-shirt on that one.....).  Good value for money if buying new and they fold up nice & small & are light, but for the money, I'd spend the same amount on a second hand full awning.

[Mister H]

I had a similar thought to be honest. I think it's going to be a second hand full awning and some repacement steel poles - the existing frame is OK and the two-man attachment is great for the kids (or storing clothes in) and I do like the space. We've got the knack of putting the awning up pretty quickly now too and found decent heavy-duty pegs helped.

Thanks for your help/comments. Decision made.

[Rodders]

What size do you need , there are a number in the small ad section on this forum , including mine

Size 9, 850/875

[Mister H]

Rodders, on 17 April 2012 - 03:21 PM, said:

What size do you need , there are a number in the small ad section on this forum , including mine

Size 9, 850/875

Where's that then Rodney? I can't find it!

[GaryB]

Follow this link:  http://www.touringan...ale-and-wanted/

[bi6als]

Mister H, on 17 April 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

I've been looking at something like this - any good? We don't really need a full awning and I thought this might be a better alterntive?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a72d5ab36

to be honest I wouldnt buy anything with pyramid on it...........My opinion...........cheap and nasty

[Rodders]

Mister H, on 17 April 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

Where's that then Rodney? I can't find it!

http://www.touringan...740#entry509740

[The Drifter]

Couple here on e-bay this week The Apache has to be a good buy at the price.http://www.ebay.co.u...5#ht_645wt_1344

http://www.ebay.co.u...8#ht_500wt_1361