Club 80-90 Forums

Another thumbs up for the van go airbeam. We've had one a couple of years now and it's easy to put up and take down, integral ground sheet (essential), lovely big windows etc. takes two of us 10 minutes to put up...then 20 minutes to set up the inside cos we are rubbish at deciding where to put stuff.
Another bonus....the tunnel bit from the tent bit to the van is a useful space for the loo, and storing other stuff, and dog bowls, mucky boots etc etc etc.
We went for the sapera, it's the larger one but make for sleeping and living space if needed.
Would recommend it. We have also used one of our canvas tents instead of an awning but obviously there is the gap between van and tent, even with a canopy on the tent. But there are loads of options.

Yes, I reckon we have got it down to 10 to 15 minutes, now we know how far away from the van it needs to be and the best fore / aft location. The first few times there was quite a lot of fine adjusting!
It also depends on whether you want to put all the guys out straight away - you don't have to unless it's a bit breezy.
I personally prefer tents with independent ground sheets, but the design of the Vango Airbeams necessitates sewn in ones - so I have to put up with that.
I noticed that the latest models have zip doors in the sides of the link tunnel, so you could get into the van even if the awning is all zipped up - nice improvement.

We do. Great fun. It's an old one that came with Harry when we bought him

We always use ours when we go away for more than a few days, we have tried the thin nylon ones and will not be buying one of them again, the flexi poles flex too much for us so we bought a traditional frame awning in a colour that matches the camper, it gives us so much more room and the sliding door is seldom closed once the awning is erected.



Then we couldn't resist this inflatable couch that doubles as a bed at night

We used to have a Royal Traveller Annex that came with the van. A bit useless for a family our size as the bedroom bit takes loads of space. Anyway it died last year, just managed to keep it going through the holiday. Bought a Khyam Motordome Sleeper. Test erected it this morning - a genuine 5 mins, and the bedroom bit does not encroach. Very well designed. Pricey, but hopefully a sound investment in our holidays for many years. Hols in 2 weeks