Vango air beam awning - First impressions
Discussion
Just bought one of these at the weekend
http://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/products/vango-bra...
for my wife to use in place of a Kampa Rally Pro 390 (which we'd only had for a month), as I was concerned about the high winds damaging the Kampa rallly, which has poles. My main concern was poles going over/down the side of the van etc in the event of a malfunction and causing lots of damage.
She has gone away to the coast with a dozen or so other mums and respective kids, so didn't really want to go without an awning, thus the air beam was purchased. At least if it did break away, it wouldn't cause quite so much damage, that was my thinking.
I'm genuinely bowled over by how solid and well built it is. Currently the windy and wet conditions on the coast have had no impact on it at all, and all of the fellow caravans mums are very impressed with it.
Looks like the Kampa Pro is going to go back up for sale before we've even used it. (although it was used twice before we bought it, so it shouldn't be hard to re-sell secondhand.)
http://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/products/vango-bra...
for my wife to use in place of a Kampa Rally Pro 390 (which we'd only had for a month), as I was concerned about the high winds damaging the Kampa rallly, which has poles. My main concern was poles going over/down the side of the van etc in the event of a malfunction and causing lots of damage.
She has gone away to the coast with a dozen or so other mums and respective kids, so didn't really want to go without an awning, thus the air beam was purchased. At least if it did break away, it wouldn't cause quite so much damage, that was my thinking.
I'm genuinely bowled over by how solid and well built it is. Currently the windy and wet conditions on the coast have had no impact on it at all, and all of the fellow caravans mums are very impressed with it.
Looks like the Kampa Pro is going to go back up for sale before we've even used it. (although it was used twice before we bought it, so it shouldn't be hard to re-sell secondhand.)
We've got a Vango Airbeam 6 man tent and it's fantastically stable and rigid compared to our old GRP pole tunnel tent. My dad's got a Kampa Rally Air Pro awning like the one above and has had a few issues with the inflatable tubes deforming / twisting. It's not just a setup issue, Kampa seem to recognise it and have replaced tubes and put additional velcro in around the foot of the tube to try and straighten it but to me and dad it looks as though the end panels are slightly the wrong shape and don't match the profile of the tubes.
He's just had it back for a second time and is waiting to try it again on his next weekend away but not overly impressed so far.
He's just had it back for a second time and is waiting to try it again on his next weekend away but not overly impressed so far.
I agree, they're a fantastic idea but ultimately compromised by the shape of the awning.
We have a Sunncamp Ultima 390 awning which is fine in the winter months because we just use it as a dry storage area, but in the summer it just isn't big enough.
You also can't remove any panels, all you can do is roll the front up which doesn't really give the same affect as a full size awning.
For next summer I'll be buying an Isabella Sunshine sun canopy - waiting for end of season bargains and eBay sales!!
We have a Sunncamp Ultima 390 awning which is fine in the winter months because we just use it as a dry storage area, but in the summer it just isn't big enough.
You also can't remove any panels, all you can do is roll the front up which doesn't really give the same affect as a full size awning.
For next summer I'll be buying an Isabella Sunshine sun canopy - waiting for end of season bargains and eBay sales!!
hornetrider said:
I had a nosey at a few onsite last weekend, think I'd miss the space we have with our full size dorema.
Indeed, 2 different applications really.One takes 20 mins to erect with one person and is pretty lightweight, the other is a 2 person job, considerably longer and a little heavier.
The Vango, does give a more useable space (headroom) than the traditional suncamp/Kampa style porch awnings of the same size due to the way the roof works, and is also 4.2 metres wide as opposed to 3.9 metres, so is a good compromise.
Very much down to preference really.....the more space you have the more you take away with you to fill it with! (the longer it takes to get set up and take down!)
Edited by MattS3 on Wednesday 12th August 12:49
MattS3 said:
hornetrider said:
I had a nosey at a few onsite last weekend, think I'd miss the space we have with our full size dorema.
Indeed, 2 different applications really.One takes 20 mins to erect with one person and is pretty lightweight, the other is a 2 person job, considerably longer and a little heavier.
MattS3 said:
The Vango, does give a more useable space (headroom) than the traditional suncamp/Kampa style porch awnings of the same size due to the way the roof works, and is also 4.2 metres wide as opposed to 3.9 metres, so is a good compromise.
Very much down to preference really.....the more space you have the more you take away with you to fill it with! (the longer it takes to get set up and take down!)
Yes I can see the roof shape is squarer than other designs so will be better in that respect. I find the interior space isn't filled per se, more that it offers the opportunity for our toddler to run around and play in more than a smaller porch would.Very much down to preference really.....the more space you have the more you take away with you to fill it with! (the longer it takes to get set up and take down!)
The idea of a quicker erection appeals(!) however I'm not quite sure on whether one would be right for us.
I followed this thread as we recently changed our Motorhome for a Caravan and wanted an inflatable awning, we went a slightly different route and wanted to throw this into the mix.
I wanted to do the touchy feeling thing and not just order one off the internet, so a few weeks ago we went up to our local Caravan place that has awnings on display.
I liked the Vango and the Kampa units, while comparing the others available we had a nosey at the SunnCamp Inceptor 390. it seemed more airey and we liked the fact it came out further than the others we saw (325mm compared to 250mm)
Last week was our first time away with it, setting up was a doddle, first time and well under an hour start to finish. It comes with the pump, storm poles, veranda poles(...?) and a couple of extra zip in panels with netting to use instead of the plastic window panels.
I wanted to do the touchy feeling thing and not just order one off the internet, so a few weeks ago we went up to our local Caravan place that has awnings on display.
I liked the Vango and the Kampa units, while comparing the others available we had a nosey at the SunnCamp Inceptor 390. it seemed more airey and we liked the fact it came out further than the others we saw (325mm compared to 250mm)
Last week was our first time away with it, setting up was a doddle, first time and well under an hour start to finish. It comes with the pump, storm poles, veranda poles(...?) and a couple of extra zip in panels with netting to use instead of the plastic window panels.
The air awnings do look good. If I was buying again i'd go air.
I use both Kampa (none air) porch and an Isabella full size awnings depending on the circumstances. Weekend trips I use the porch awning, anything longer and I use the Isabella. Oh, and I sleep out in the awning too..
Kampa 330 porch
Isabella Capri
I use both Kampa (none air) porch and an Isabella full size awnings depending on the circumstances. Weekend trips I use the porch awning, anything longer and I use the Isabella. Oh, and I sleep out in the awning too..
Kampa 330 porch
Isabella Capri
We changed our 'van a few weeks ago, and I'm facing a conundrum... do I go for an airbeam Vango or Bradcot, or buy another full awning.
Sadly, our superb Bradcot Empress won't fit the new van (if anyone's looking for one give me a shout as I still have it!), and porch awnings have never stood up to the wind on our usual site in Anglesey.
The Vango air awning is looking favourite at the moment, as, apparently, you can't get bedroom attachments for the Bradcot- but I'm still concerned about it not making full use of the awning rail and therefore not sealing as well as a full traditional awning.
Sadly, our superb Bradcot Empress won't fit the new van (if anyone's looking for one give me a shout as I still have it!), and porch awnings have never stood up to the wind on our usual site in Anglesey.
The Vango air awning is looking favourite at the moment, as, apparently, you can't get bedroom attachments for the Bradcot- but I'm still concerned about it not making full use of the awning rail and therefore not sealing as well as a full traditional awning.
Bump..
We are picking up our motorhome soon with a 4.5m Dometic Awning possibly being fitted, although I have now just spotted the automatic version!
What is the best add on "safari room" or full enclosure on the market? We are hoping to view a few at the motorhome show next month but appreciate any recommendations.
Also looking for something that will withstand bad weather conditions. Thanks.
We are picking up our motorhome soon with a 4.5m Dometic Awning possibly being fitted, although I have now just spotted the automatic version!
What is the best add on "safari room" or full enclosure on the market? We are hoping to view a few at the motorhome show next month but appreciate any recommendations.
Also looking for something that will withstand bad weather conditions. Thanks.
We got a Kampa 390xl motor air awning for our MH but it was a struggle to put it up with only one person doing it (My wife is disabled so she couldn't help). GREAT piece of kit though. Make sure to get the right height on if you look at this route (based on the height of your wind out canopy from the ground...they do more than one version)
We changed it for a Kampa travel pod midi air tall driveaway awning which is also superb. I can put this up in c.12 minutes (plus pegging) and putting away is even quicker. Its not too heavy nor bulky as well if space is at a premium. Again check the height off the ground.
Loads of guys for pegging out if required for extra wind protection plus the nature of the air beams means it has some flexibility. We have used it in the depths of winter with no problems at all
I'd have no issues recommending either.
We changed it for a Kampa travel pod midi air tall driveaway awning which is also superb. I can put this up in c.12 minutes (plus pegging) and putting away is even quicker. Its not too heavy nor bulky as well if space is at a premium. Again check the height off the ground.
Loads of guys for pegging out if required for extra wind protection plus the nature of the air beams means it has some flexibility. We have used it in the depths of winter with no problems at all
I'd have no issues recommending either.
They look good, will take a look at the NEC trade show next month...
http://www.kampa.co.uk/air-awnings/motor-ace-air
http://www.kampa.co.uk/air-awnings/motor-ace-air
KrissKross said:
They look good, will take a look at the NEC trade show next month...
http://www.kampa.co.uk/air-awnings/motor-ace-air
Might see you there... http://www.kampa.co.uk/air-awnings/motor-ace-air
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