Awning

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by SteveM4646, Mar 22, 2019.

  1. Heading to my first ever vw bus event this summer and doing some basic camping. Ie I've got a rnr bed but that's it, oh and some thermo blinds.. Was thinking a quick and easy way to make it look more like I'm a regular might be to buy an awning but I didn't want to look a tit turning up with something not cool... So is the shelter pod cool or is there some equivalent at around 200 English. Thanks Steve
     
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  2. Barry Haynes

    Barry Haynes I dance in leopard skin mankini’s

    You won’t look a tit, just buy the awning that suits your needs, have a look on TLB,eBay or facebooks market place for some good bargains
     
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  3. My best bit of advice on how to 'not look like a tit' when putting up any awning is to try a dummy run at home first....I entertained a camping site for a long time when trying to put up and attach my awning for the first time. Partaking in a few cans of beer didn't help. Also make sure you have the poles and pegs with you before leaving home....as I did once forgot to pack them......
     
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  4. You might take an alternative view on your "looking a bit regular" once you've been to a VW festival or two, I find different tends to be the norm, and what we might think of normal is in the minority. Just go, keep an open mind and enjoy it ! And don't worry too much about what camping gear you have.
     
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  5. +1
     
  6. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Think what you need from your awning and go for that. I seem to have collected awnings :)

    I have a small one if we are just away for a night or two and want something to put stuff in, sit in if it’s a bit rainy/chilly. (Bought as I took a bigger one away without the poles!!)

    A bigger, drive away one for if we are away longer.

    A kyham auto dome drive away awning for when we are festivals with friends and spend a lot of time cooking and sitting in it

    A 1970’s brown one that came with a previous van. That hasn’t got curtains etc and I would only use in good weather.

    The first two pack up small as have the Bendy poles.

    The last two have rigid poles so take up more room in the van. If you know how to put them up it’s pretty quick but I’ve always forgotten so have to wander round until I’ve found another one I can copy!

    I recommend not putting it up first time if you are in a rush! My partner and I always argue when we put ours up! :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
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  7. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

  8. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

  9. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Only buy an awning if you need one....
    The easiest way to look a tit in the world of VW is to buy a load of bits because you think you should....
     
  10. Ozziedog

    Ozziedog Supporter

    Hi Steve, your set up sounds a bit like mine. The advice above is spot on, set it up in your back garden first and against your van too even if you have to go to the local common to try it out. There are some serious doooos and don’t s.
    Doooos
    Put it up a couple of times to get the swing of things.
    Take pics of the various stages on your phone.
    Read the instructions a couple of times but pretend you didn’t.
    Get at least a couple of helpers for the first practice run
    Try and have a laugh while doing it.
    Pack it away in a system and this is where re usable cable ties really help, put all the leg poles together, all the roof poles together etc etc depending on what you has got of course.
    Have it next to and attached to your van. :)

    Don’t s
    Don’t even entertain putting it up as a practice if it’s breezy ;)
    Same for rainy ;)

    I’ve got my van with a rock and roll bed, a rather super duper coolbox :cool:, a gazebo type awning, portable cookers x 2 and my washing machine drum, a table and chair set plus a nice comfy chair, and that’s mostly it . My gazebo cost twenty quid from the Range or B&M bargains and I bought this one for a solitary and single reason and that’s because it’s the exact same gazebo that I bought thirty plus years ago for nine ninety nine from the co op. It don’t fold down as flat as some of the others and because of The antiquated pole system it might take up a little more space under the rock and roll bed, but not too much. It’s got two poles x 4 (8) for each of the angular hips of the roof which go into one bundle with cable ties , four square sides with three in each (12) and four x2 larger leg poles. All the intersections have a pvc corner or junction. Put the roof frame together, spread cover over which holds it together, insert two leg sections on one end, then the other, then same again then clip the cover into the legs, job done. Then hold it down or tie it down before you start the a LateBay hang gliding team.

    Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,, cheap, easy, waterproof 99%, and that’s just me :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
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  11. Gotta ask yourself if you REALLY need an awning ??
    I've got a pretty decent drive away awning but probably only use it 2 or 3 times a year .
    I use the sun canopy mostly [​IMG]

    Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk
     
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  12. but thats all part of the fun
     
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  13. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    That's a vegan awning.
     
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  14. Black bumper


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  15. If you want to stay with your partner for any length of time don't ever buy an awning
     
  16. Squarepants

    Squarepants Supporter

    The advice about a trial run is bang-on. I'm sure many a divorce lawyer cites erecting an awning as just cause.
    We have an old Khyam motordome which is a simple set-up for regular camping, but we have a small sun awning and windbreak if we know the weather is likely to be fine and we're only away for a day or two. That said...If I go away to the odd show etc on my own, I don't bother with an awning, just make sure I set the RnR up before I blow the froth off the first one... ;)
     
  17. Event shelters are really easy to put up and you can buy sides to seal it up completely, or leave it open and use as protection from the sun/rain and somewhere to store all your crap
     
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  18. An awning is useful as even a modestly sized one can give a whole load of space to put stuff whilst camping, there isn't really a massive amount of room in a bus once there's a couple of people, a selection of kids and a dog or 2. That said I wouldn't buy one if it's only because you think you ought to, think about what yoh are going to use it for. Our bus came with an Outwell Country Road which is pretty big but now its just myself and MrsNTFC(and the dog of course) wd have bought a JustKampers retro style one which is a bit smaller:thumbsup:
     
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  19. The biggest joy of camping in your bus is not having to put an fxxing tent / awning up
    Park up, crack a beer or light a doobie. Job done

    I know there are occasions when they are useful, but you don't need one for your first trip
     
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  20. B8F69A59-9345-4188-90F8-EA56A7A730AA.jpeg Awnings are great as long as it’s not blowing a wholeeeee when you put it up first time or fiftieth time but you do learn little tricks which make it easier . If your in a new relationship ,this will testit to its limits fa sure and provide entertainment for the w hole camp site too_Once erected you will find pleasure in sitting init and watching others efforts and laughing at them looking right pillocks too. I have a few awnings from original retro to lightweight adaptable . As said sun canopy is great for summer and easy to put up if you want to look cool .
     

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