Massive choice with awnings, depending on what you want it for? how many in the family? Any need for people sleeping in it? How long you planning to stay for if couple nights small is better!
Ive got a stiches and steel tarp for short nights away which is perfect or a outdoor Revolution t4e large air awning that we use for family of 4 weeks away.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

 

As previous reply It depends on how big and what type you want (air beam, poles, tarp). If air beams are what you’re after Vango do a decent range 👍🏻

 

Intend to use for at least one teenager to sleep in, possibly two. Would like it for extra seating & dining area also. Think would prefer air beam, but keeping open mind at moment. Winfield's is local to us, if anyone has experience of any of their range they sell?

 

I bought an air beam as my first awning, it was heavy when up and down, takes a fair amount of effort to inflate and deflate. Sold it and bought a Kyham Motorhome sleeper, half the time to put up and take down, bigger when up, smaller when down.

Sleeps 4 inside, the Vango Galli we had before slept 4, but that used inner tents which reduced the space inside.

 

I bought an air beam as my first awning, it was heavy when up and down, takes a fair amount of effort to inflate and deflate.

I disagree. I had a Vango one and with the included pump it took a couple of minutes to inflate and probably less to roll the air out....simple.

 

Vango, Kampa, Outdoor Revolution, Khyam, Olpro - all good makes. Ex demo or used off the Bay saves a lot of cash.

As above we had the full size Vango Galli ( not the smaller compact one ) and 2 x teenagers slept in it in the seperate bedroom compartments. LOADS od room still in it and the vestibule between the tent and van as well

Problem was it was HUGE when packed away but that is what you get with big awnings.

I strongly recommend you look at a forward facing one like the Galli or our current one the Outdoor Revolution Cayman Combi Air, i.e face the same direction as the van

I found our second awning, a Vango Kela Deluxe , a massive pain in the length it took up facing horizontally away from the van door taking up loads of room on the pitch.

Loads of awnings are this style and IMPO I would never have one again.

Don;t forget to look for a LOW version if you have a standard height van.

This style:

2023 Vango Magra VW Drive Away Campervan AirBeam Awning GREY *Ex Demo* | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2023 Vango Magra VW Drive Away Campervan AirBeam Awning GREY *Ex Demo* at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

We have 3 options depending on circumstance:

A Hi Gear canopy / tarp set up like GTiJames above, an Outdoor Revolution Sports Canopy single tent ( non driveaway but very versatile ) and the Outdoor Revolution Cayman Combi Air.

If you get a big awning like a Galli then invest in an 12v awning air pump, your arms and heart will thank you for it.

You can put these in any awning for sleeping in. Universal so no need to look for the specific sleeping inner tent

Pardon our interruption...

It's worth keeping an eye on their eBay shop as they have a lot of ex demo and used tents / awings for sale at pretty reasonable prices.

We got our Cayman Combi ex demo off them last December for £225 with an eBay coupon. Absolute bargain.

Security measure | eBay

www.ebay.co.uk

 

Thanks for all the advice and links. Think it will have to be larger awning to start with as son won't fit in roof, he's too tall now.

Do you think air beam type rather than traditional poles or kyham click system? Open to all, only ever camped with pole tents and never used air beam type.

Sleeping pods look very useful idea!

 

Does anyone just use a tent instead of an awning, and position the van closer to it? Are you likely to get charged for two pitches on sites of doing this?

 

Quite a few people do this on sites. I also have a freestanding Utility tent and a Vango Hogan Hub we use for social at festivals.
I have an idea that I can use my Utility tent and just link my tarp to it from the van. Not tried it yet but similar to the Sheltapod....

SheltaPod campervan and vehicle awnings

The 4-in-1 campervan and vehicle awning that works as a simple sun canopy, half dome shelter, 4-person sleeping tent and drive-away awning.

sheltapod.com

I very nearly pulled the trigger on this freestanding one from Decathalon. For £329 it is a bargain. If we didn't have the Hogan Hub then I would buy this in a flash.

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

With any tent / shelter then I think it is critical that you get one with standing height personally. I hate doubling over in tents getting changed...

My mate has one of the Decathlon Base Seconds pop ups shelters. Not made anymore and have basically doubled in value as very popular with van owners.
sometimes come up on eBay though. He's never had an issue on site with it being separate from the van.

This is basically a copy of it ( another mate has this and they are very similar. He loves it. Again never had an issue on site. )

Hub – Cinch!

cinchpopuptents.com

Both mates do however have larger drive away awnings as well so depends on the length of stay etc...

 

You need to decide on whether you want a drive away one or fixed too Definately check out Vango.

 

Had this 5 years now , only use it if we’re on site a week or more , rest of time just use canopy and a windbreak.
large area inside and 2 person sleeping compartment . Hardly ever attach it to van as a drive away too much hassle if you’re out n about every day. Outdoor Revolution Tourismo XLS. Easy to put up lightweight and fairly cheap about 250-300.

 

That looks exactly what we need, can you for 2 camp beds in the sleeping area? I've looked at the cinch one today also, a lot like the decathlon pop up that isn't available anymore. Cinch aren't showing any stock availability until July at the earliest though.. Think it's for to be quite quick to put up or inflate as otherwise have the same hassles of setting up our large family tent.

 

Only ever used a double blow up mattress or two singles not sure about camp beds.
easy to erect just the two crossover poles for main section and one for sleeping section
World of Camping are showing them online in stock at £299 but got mine direct from OR at the time.