"Tunnel Extension" type awning on a high-top?

[AdrianC]

Folks,

One of the most interesting things to peer at at Dubfreeze was other people's awnings.

Given the weather, and the one/two-night nature, obviously there weren't many drive-aways or similar, which is what we're mainly thinking about. The Fiamma/CaravanStore type look a lot better in the flesh than I was expecting, but I'm not convinced they're quite what we're after. Also, gutter-mounting is out on a high-top Westy, since the gutter's full. And I don't really want to bolt it to the side.

Anyway, one thing we did see in the furthest corner of the main camping area was a tintop T5 with one of these next to it...


Dimensions: Length 140cm / Width 350cm / Height 205cm; Total weight: 7.70kg; Pack size: 60 x 15 x 20cm

Blimey, thinks us. That looks like a really, really good best-of-both-worlds. It's compact when packed (remember: we're going to be living in the van, so space will be a premium), it's drive-away, and it's "friendly". We don't want to be shutting ourselves off to the world, so want something that gives "approachability" with shelter.

The one question is... how would it attach to the van? A tintop - obvious. Simply wrap it over the top and peg or gutter-clip it down the other side. But a high-top? Figure 8 on the van (don't mind that - far less loading on the glassfibre than hanging a full awning) or similar?

What think you? Viable?

[Ian Hulley]

What think you?

Easily tripped over, short-term hang glider.

These are incredibly flimsy in the flesh. and the tapes from side to side are ready made to catch out the 'late-night' camper

[Flibbertigibbet]

where will you be living in your van and for how long ?

[Ralf85]

Just buy a cheap igloo tent and chuck all your stuff in there. Forget the big stuff. Sorted!

Patrick

[AdrianC]

where will you be living in your van and for how long ?

Where? Ask us when we get there...
How long? Until we get bored/run out of money/run out of places...

We're renting the house out, jacking our jobs, and pointing south.

(There's a blog coming, very soon - it'll be in my sig as soon as it's live)

PRD - that's being considered. We've got a Quecha pustule, which'll probably get lobbed in anyway ("guest bedroom"), but I think we still want something to act as a porch on the van. Not that we're planning on being anywhere wet, y'understand?

[Flibbertigibbet]

where will you be living in your van and for how long ?

Where? Ask us when we get there...
How long? Until we get bored/run out of money/run out of places...

We're renting the house out, jacking our jobs, and pointing south.

(There's a blog coming, very soon - it'll be in my sig as soon as it's live)

PRD - that's being considered. We've got a Quecha pustule, which'll probably get lobbed in anyway ("guest bedroom"), but I think we still want something to act as a porch on the van. Not that we're planning on being anywhere wet, y'understand?

Excellent stuff look forward to your blog , why don't you get an caravan store awning ?

[jamesc76]

Get a caravan store one like mine that you were stood under at df, space is a premium in your van so the last thing you want is another folded up tent in bad, plus the caravanstore one is much faster and easier to erect!

[Ian Hulley]

Get a caravan store one like mine that you were stood under at df, space is a premium in your van so the last thing you want is another folded up tent in bad, plus the caravanstore one is much faster and easier to erect!

Yep, there is a reason so many of us have them The F45i is also popliar but they are ££££££££££££££ and then there's the fixing kit ££££££ on top.

Ian

[AdrianC]

OK, so the caravanstore awnings... We'll ignore my preference for a drive-away for the moment... <grin>

I forgot to look how they fit (I assumed the same as the F45). A rummage suggests I'd need to add awning rail to the side of the high-top, right? Hmm. That's preferable to the gutter-clamp-or-bolt arrangement.

[Ian Hulley]

I forgot to look how they fit (I assumed the same as the F45). A rummage suggests I'd need to add awning rail to the side of the high-top, right? Hmm. That's preferable to the gutter-clamp-or-bolt arrangement.

You do need the awning rail but preferably one that points downwards rather than straight out. Gutter clamp system is for drive-away awnings. F45 is mounted to quite substantial (and embarrassingly expensive) brackets, whichever type you choose will need to be screwed/riveted/bolted through the hightop.

Ian

[kevtherev]

Yes I can see your dilemma
But with a permanent solid fixture (like a "J" rail) there are lot's of awnings that will fix to it

I fix my bag Caravanstore to it and a Drive away frame awning



I used to have something similar to what you describe, but in the wind and rain it was utterly useless
in the sun however it was the best

[Red Westie]

As others have said the Caravanstore is popular for good reason and whilst a few 80-90 members have similar canopies to the one you posted, they remain few and far between.

http://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/erol.html#2357X0

A good used one pass hands at around a ton.

Martin

[hakuna matata]

what size caravanstore awning are you after????? give us a call always got one or two for sale.....

neil. 07973-151117. thank you,