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Awning Recommendation

calibeach76

calibeach76

Messages
452
Location
Pembrokeshire
Vehicle
T6.1 Coast 150
Hi all

Having previously used a Decathlon base shelter which upon retrieval from storage now has mouse damage.... it appears that they are also now out of stock online to replace like for like so, can anyone suggest a decent driveaway awning for a family of 4 (2 sub 6 year olds)? Don't want anything too involved to erect and ideally something with longevity as I want whatever I buy to last. Won't really be used for sleeping but big enough to stick stuff when based on pitches longer than say 3 nights and accommodate table and chairs in an evening.

Cheers
 
M88GAV said:
Are one of these the same as you had?

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Click to expand...
Yes the arpenaz base m, funny as now showing in stock which is excellent news! It worked so well before for us and loads cheaper than driveaway. :bananadance2
 
calibeach76 said:
Yes the arpenaz base m, funny as now showing in stock which is excellent news! It worked so well before for us and loads cheaper than driveaway. :bananadance2
Click to expand...
That’s good to hear as I saw that yesterday (online) and planned to get one instead of a drive away. Loads cheaper as you said and looks perfect. Quick and easy to setup and put down by the look of it
 
Yeah, we bought ours in France in our 3 week tour as we wanted something more than a pup tent which we'd used with our Beach for the kids car seats, portable fridge etc. Tbh it was a god send and at the time was sub 100 euros. I know opinion is split on here on awnings etc but with two little ones I think they really do help and are especially good if the weather isn't great as it's another seating area, towel drying area, cooking space etc. We only use if away fir 2 plus nights on the sane site and we would wind awning out to create a covered space between the van and the base camp.
 
I’ve got a Vango Tolga which is fairly compact and easy to put up/ take down on my own. Decent quality and nice features.

www.vango.co.uk

Awnings

Embark on your next adventure with Vango poled and inflatable Awnings, catering to every explorer's needs. Our caravan, motorhome and camper van vehicle collections continually evolve, symbolising our commitment to innovation and creating spaces that inspire your next big journey. Imagine not...
www.vango.co.uk www.vango.co.uk
 
TheDoc said:
I’ve got a Vango Tolga which is fairly compact and easy to put up/ take down on my own. Decent quality and nice features.

www.vango.co.uk

Awnings

Embark on your next adventure with Vango poled and inflatable Awnings, catering to every explorer's needs. Our caravan, motorhome and camper van vehicle collections continually evolve, symbolising our commitment to innovation and creating spaces that inspire your next big journey. Imagine not...
www.vango.co.uk www.vango.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks, will take a look :)
 
I’ve been thinking about getting one of these. They look quite versatile but doesn’t attach directly to the van. The pack size is quite compact as well.

Inflatable Camping Living Area - Base Air Seconds Fresh - 8 Person QUECHUA | Decathlon

With a massive 9 sqm of floor space, this inflatable living area is party-ready. Attach a pump, and the all-in-one structure goes up in minutes. The…
www.decathlon.co.uk www.decathlon.co.uk

Another option that appeals to me is the Kampa Cross Air, which gives plenty of space but can be attached to the van.

What we are currently using is a Coleman FastPitch event shelter. Offers great shade, but even with the sides attached it can be quite draughty and not really bug proof in the evenings.
 
Kayleigh tbh I'm not sure if it has to attach to the van for us for it to work. We did like the fact that in France we just put our awning mat down and knew when we pulled back to the pitch where to pull up but without having to be really spot on about exact positions and then faffing with attaching the tunnel etc. It was also nice to have the wind out awning out to sit under etc and then have the basecamp next to that. In foul weather I can see this might be different t hence considering a driveaway but tbh we are fair weather campers and if going away for a weekend out of season I'm not sure I'd bother with putting an awning up as I wouldn't want to sit in it in the cold anyway...
 
We went for a drive-away, and have found no issues reconnecting (10 mins max) with the wheel positions marked. The ‘tunnel’ between the van and the tent is a useful space, and for UK weather it keeps the van entrance in the dry! If looking at drive-always, I’d just recommend thinking about the handing of the awning and find one that suits the Cali. This can be a small issue on UK sites that assume the awning goes on to the L/H side of a van. We have a Vango Kela V poly cotton. For short trips, and for continental use we‘ve got tarps to attach to the wind out awning - less boot space and very quick.
 
Hawthorn37 said:
We went for a drive-away, and have found no issues reconnecting (10 mins max) with the wheel positions marked. The ‘tunnel’ between the van and the tent is a useful space, and for UK weather it keeps the van entrance in the dry! If looking at drive-always, I’d just recommend thinking about the handing of the awning and find one that suits the Cali. This can be a small issue on UK sites that assume the awning goes on to the L/H side of a van. We have a Vango Kela V poly cotton. For short trips, and for continental use we‘ve got tarps to attach to the wind out awning - less boot space and very quick.
Click to expand...
Do you find it flaps and makes a noise in the wind at all? Cheers
 
The drive-away we’ve got is the polycotton version of the Kela and it’s very stable. You also can get a nylon type - lighter weight - could have more movement in wind. The only wind issue with our awning are the storm straps, fitted if the wind is getting up, and as they’re straps, they oscillate in wind sometimes. The vibration transmits through the kador connection to the van. The fix for this is attaching longish bungee ropes between the straps and this cuts it out completely. (We use the same bungees to neatly tie up the awning when we leave it - see pic below).

The tarps can rustle a bit but not annoyingly so, just keep them taught.

762366F4-90CC-4305-AC47-516EBD48BE61.jpeg
 
Hawthorn37 said:
The drive-away we’ve got is the polycotton version of the Kela and it’s very stable. You also can get a nylon type - lighter weight - could have more movement in wind. The only wind issue with our awning are the storm straps, fitted if the wind is getting up, and as they’re straps, they oscillate in wind sometimes. The vibration transmits through the kador connection to the van. The fix for this is attaching longish bungee ropes between the straps and this cuts it out completely. (We use the same bungees to neatly tie up the awning when we leave it - see pic below).

The tarps can rustle a bit but not annoyingly so, just keep them taught.

View attachment 92320
Click to expand...
I’ve been looking at poly cotton awnings. What size is your’s when folded?
 
calibeach76 said:
Hi all

Having previously used a Decathlon base shelter which upon retrieval from storage now has mouse damage.... it appears that they are also now out of stock online to replace like for like so, can anyone suggest a decent driveaway awning for a family of 4 (2 sub 6 year olds)? Don't want anything too involved to erect and ideally something with longevity as I want whatever I buy to last. Won't really be used for sleeping but big enough to stick stuff when based on pitches longer than say 3 nights and accommodate table and chairs in an evening.

Cheers
Click to expand...
I have a Vango Hexaway low which I am about to advertise since I have unfortunately had to sell my van.
 
Mike889 said:
I have a Vango Hexaway low which I am about to advertise since I have unfortunately had to sell my van.
Click to expand...
The Hexaway is a good option, we’ve seen this used recently in Norfolk and it’s a useful layout. It doesn’t seem to matter that it connects to the right hand side of the van.
 
calibeach76 said:
Kayleigh tbh I'm not sure if it has to attach to the van for us for it to work. We did like the fact that in France we just put our awning mat down and knew when we pulled back to the pitch where to pull up but without having to be really spot on about exact positions and then faffing with attaching the tunnel etc. It was also nice to have the wind out awning out to sit under etc and then have the basecamp next to that. In foul weather I can see this might be different t hence considering a driveaway but tbh we are fair weather campers and if going away for a weekend out of season I'm not sure I'd bother with putting an awning up as I wouldn't want to sit in it in the cold anyway...
Click to expand...
Awnings that don't attach to the van exist already. They are called tents. Just get a tent for the kids?
 
We have had our van for over 5 years and have spent *at least* 20% of that time sleeping in it with our two boys now 7 and 8 but only 1 & 3 when we bought the van.

Our first awning was a Kela which we bought 2nd hand and served us well. Usable floor area is a little restricted at the rear due to the slope.

We now have a Hexaway (also bought 2nd hand) and it is classy and bright, the sides are near vertical so you lose little space.

The groundsheet is not sewn in, and that can be seen as a plus or minus. Over Easter in Spain we had a campsite cat invading the awning and sniffing about the box of dog food. On damp campsites you can get an invasion of slugs. However, some sites don’t allow tents with groundsheets, and unclipping the groundsheet is quick and easy. The awning appears to be incredibly stable in stormy weather.

It takes ages to pump up, is bulky and heavy. If they had a poled version I’d be tempted to upgrade to reduce the bulk and weight; the Gali now has air and poled versions and I’m tempted to sell the Hexaway in favour of the poled Gali, but the Hexaway is just so classy. Big enough for a table, six chairs and a kitchen area.

1651012623636.jpeg
Kela, Norway June 2017

1651012974044.jpeg
Kela, Romania April 2018

1651012436569.jpeg
Hexaway, France August 2019

1651012462679.jpeg
Hexaway, France August 2019

1651012492152.jpeg
Hexaway, Spain April 2022
 
Last edited:
Amarillo said:
We have had our van for over 5 years and have spent *at least* 20% of that time sleeping in it with our two boys now 7 and 8 but only 1 & 3 when we bought the van.

Our first awning was a Kela which we bought 2nd hand and served us well. Usable floor area is a little restricted at the rear due to the slope.

We now have a Hexaway (also bought 2nd hand) and it is classy and bright, the sides are near vertical so you lose little space.

The groundsheet is not sewn in, and that can be seen as a plus or minus. Over Easter in Spain we had a campsite cat invading the awning and sniffing about the box of dog food. On damp campsites you can get an invasion of slugs. However, some sites don’t allow tents with groundsheets, and unclipping the groundsheet is quick and easy. The awning appears to be incredibly stable in stormy weather.

It takes ages to pump up, is bulky and heavy. If they had a poled version I’d be tempted to upgrade to reduce the bulk and weight; the Gali now has air and poled versions and I’m tempted to sell the Hexaway in favour of the poled Gali, but the Hexaway is just so classy. Big enough for a table, six chairs and a kitchen area.

View attachment 92374
Kela, Norway June 2017

View attachment 92375
Kela, Romania April 2018

View attachment 92371
Hexaway, France August 2019

View attachment 92372
Hexaway, France August 2019

View attachment 92373
Hexaway, Spain April 2022
Click to expand...
Thanks Amarillo. That's very useful. Tbh I have been thinking going poled as they are much cheaper and seem less bulky overall. I like your set up with awning out and driveaway attached to that far more than awning straight to van tbh. It is interesting that you say you'd consider a poled Gali as I've been tempted by that. I want something relatively compact in pack size usable to sit in with 4 chairs and a table and quick to put up and down.
 
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