Awning as a standalone tent

jonny_and_lou · Aug 8, 2022

Bit of a rambling weird question... sorry!

We are really close to getting our VW Ocean (after a year of waiting). It's currently built and awaiting shipping.

We are away for 2 nights 2/3 September on a camping trip to an event and hoped to have the van by then. It's touch and go whether it comes on time.

We're still going to go away even if the van doesn't arrive. I could look at hiring a van which I'm prepared to do but it'll pain me to fork out the cash given mine is so close to being here.

If I'm going to be shelling out more money I wondered whether there are any awnings that I could buy and use purely as a stand alone tent for the weekend? At least I'd have something for my money afterwards.

Claremacrob · Aug 8, 2022

Yes, there are quite a few driveway awnings that have a 'bedroom annex, or you could buy a stand-alone tent and use as a non-attached awning. If I was starting again I would buy a Khyam quick erect awning (either the motordome or lite) with bedroom. They're not the cheapest but have great reviews and are on sale on at the moment. I've got too many awnings/alternatives to justify buying one now!

Ch1pbutty · Aug 8, 2022

jonny_and_lou said:
Bit of a rambling weird question... sorry!

We are really close to getting our VW Ocean (after a year of waiting). It's currently built and awaiting shipping.

We are away for 2 nights 2/3 September on a camping trip to an event and hoped to have the van by then. It's touch and go whether it comes on time.

We're still going to go away even if the van doesn't arrive. I could look at hiring a van which I'm prepared to do but it'll pain me to fork out the cash given mine is so close to being here.

If I'm going to be shelling out more money I wondered whether there are any awnings that I could buy and use purely as a stand alone tent for the weekend? At least I'd have something for my money afterwards.

Yes, Majority will be fine. We have a Vango Galli, the fabric that joins it to the van can easily be rolled back and has straps to keep it out the way. The door is then the same as a standalone tent.

Just get a 2nd hand one, always seems to be plenty available.

kp64zl · Aug 9, 2022

Yes of course you can use (most) awnings as stand alone tents. They are generally freestanding.
Whether or not you want a bedroom annexe is up to you. Essentially awnings are just tents that have a van attachment & courtesy of that are more expensive

Alternatively you could get a cheap pop up tent (e.g. from decathlon) which would also be useful for different things in the future - somewhere around or less than £100. Then you could take more time in the awning search (but there are some second hand ones on here)

sapto · Aug 9, 2022

We use a Decathlon and it fits our need:

Boomer · Aug 9, 2022

Cayman combo air currently in use as a standalone tent as in this weather we felt we didn't need to connect to the can. Our son sleeps in this although the material's not the darkest (but he's a very very heavy sleeper!).

Elly Swanson · Aug 10, 2022

If you get a driveaway awning you can use poles and guylines to peg out the tunnel bit as a porch that’ll give you extra space.

OGII · Aug 10, 2022

Was going to suggest Decathlons Air Connect on the basis its cheap/ allows standalone/ connected as works for you.

6 person inflatable camping shelter - Air Seconds Base Connect

6 person inflatable camping shelter - Air Seconds Base Connect null Our camping team have designed this Air Seconds Base Connect Fresh inflatable living area for six campers. It connects to tents or vans.

www.decathlon.co.uk

Trouble is it's not so cheap anymore, it was £199 a couple of years back.

peregrinus · Aug 13, 2022

We have used a Khyam Motordome tourer for 10 years. We connected to the van the first few times we used it however we found it made the van dark inside and the connection tunnel flapped against the van if windy. We have used it as a standalone since, with the distance between van and tent decided by the size of the pitch. At festivals with small pitches we place it very close to the van but just use the wind out awning to keep the rain off the gap. We bought the inner tent and have used it a few times. It is very easy to put up and can be done by one person although easier with two. Don’t trap your fingers between the poles when putting it away.

dartmoordingoe · Aug 13, 2022

I agree with others here there are many options. We had an old Khyam which was very good quality but for ease we have moved to a Kampa Crossair …. We like this because it can be used as a standalone tent but also you can buy a sleeping pod so you then have the option of having the pod or not attached depending on what is needed

Kampa Cross AIR - Inflatable drive-away awning, 3 m width

Kampa Cross AIR - Utilizing the convenience of the innovative Kampa Air Frame, Cross AIR's steep walls provide a spacious living area. The cleverly designed front panel incorporates a 'D' door that can be half or fully rolled back, while cover from a large canopy provides weather protected...

www.kampaoutdoors.com

Elly Swanson · Aug 13, 2022

peregrinus said:
We have used a Khyam Motordome tourer for 10 years. We connected to the van the first few times we used it however we found it made the van dark inside and the connection tunnel flapped against the van if windy. We have used it as a standalone since, with the distance between van and tent decided by the size of the pitch. At festivals with small pitches we place it very close to the van but just use the wind out awning to keep the rain off the gap. We bought the inner tent and have used it a few times. It is very easy to put up and can be done by one person although easier with two. Don’t trap your fingers between the poles when putting it away.

The Khyam quick erects are so robust and sturdy. They’ll stand up to severe weather.

I hate the driveaway being attached to the actual van so we always wind out the wind awning (between 1&2m and attach to that if space permits. Most of the time though we take our Outdoor Revolution Cayam Handi, but it’s not designed to sleep in.

capt kirk · Aug 13, 2022

Sits under the awning with the entrance opposite the van door and on sale now on amazon. Sewn in ground sheet and blackout for that early mornin lie in.