Our awning

Might need to be careful on size KC
Some of the "more organised" campsites restrict the pitch size - which often includes guy ropes
The one or two we have been to with our Kyham Sleeper we have been on/just under the limit
Rooby Roo

You didn't stay at Brean last year Scoobs old chap, but you are correct they do give you a restricted pitch at some doos, Brean being one. Never had a restriction at Vanfest, VWfest, Cornwall Jambo any doo at Santa pod the list go's on, they should inform you if you book in advance and most have info on the website

Now then, folks - Motordome purchased, and ready for a practice run! Any recommendations on waterproof bags fit for a roof rack?

Another topic on my mind. This site is great. Just as I start wondering about something someone comes and posts about it. I've been looking at awnings, trying to work out the one to get and also which attachment system to use. Two questions answered in one thread. Fantastic.

Re Waterproof bags, I got an inexpensive waterproof holdall from Just kampers which is fantastic, I get my awning in it so can carry on bike rack or leave outside on overnight stops. I just checked on their site quickly but can’t seem to find it but worth a call.

Re Awning, I opted for a standalone Khyam Screen House to give me some flexibility, ie use for camping without the Dub, I can site it further away and use a canopy in hot weather etc Also didn’t want the hassle of lining the Dub up to the awning. Its maybe not right for everyone but it works really well for us, especially during a veeeery wet summer holiday in France last year

I notice they do a lighter Screen Dome on the Khyam site, which is on offer for £150 right now.

Kev wrote:

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Re Awning, I opted for a standalone Khyam Screen House to give me some flexibility, ie use for camping without the Dub, I can site it further away and use a canopy in hot weather etc Also didn’t want the hassle of lining the Dub up to the awning. Its maybe not right for everyone but it works really well for us, especially during a veeeery wet summer holiday in France last year

In some ways I quite like that option. As you say, it does have a little more flexibility and the issue of lining up the van on every return is avoided (just how much of a headache this is I have yet to find out but imagine it could be a little frustrating. I don't know what degree of tolerance this "porches/tunnels" have.). One could always get a windbreak or something if more privacy is required twixt tent and van.

That said, I do like the idea of a connected awning. Two distinct units might make it feel a bit disjointed. Of course this is all speculation as I have neither awning nor van :-)

In my opinion an attached awning comes into its own in bad weather, I think that is when you appreciate the tunnel, not getting windblown and rained on when getting in and out of the van.

For overnights and weekends we just use a simple Reimo canopy on a fig 8, ( thinking of getting a pole and clamp soon as it’s a bit iffy When the wind gets up) and a wind break, although the canopy has a dip in the middle now from the heavy rain collecting in it last year….

Just turn the canopy upside down to prevent the dip

Looks a good set up though - especially for an over night stay

Rooby Roo

Scooby wrote:

Just turn the canopy upside down to prevent the dip

Looks a good set up though - especially for an over night stay

Rooby Roo

Yes, a nice quick set up. Easy to break camp too.

it looks good,

We're planning to take our garden gazebo when we go to France. Quick to put up and somewhere to store things.

We'll need to have a trial run with it first though.

Tallulah wrote:

Ours is blue! But it's not a Motordome...

Outlaw Awning

Just hunting for an awning as well and come across the same site - are you happy with yours? Do you have an inner tent ? What sort of other accessories would we need to buy to go with it?

We bought the option with 2 inner tents so it sleeps 4 very comfortably - and did on several occasions last year.

Nothing extra needed except a mallet to bang in the pegs.

We use one we bought off Scooby which has been fine for the two of us:





I can't remember what make it is but I'm sure Scooby can tell us.

Can't be too hard to erect because Mrs B & I haven't fallen out doing it yet!



Oh, and it's green, which is a bonus!

After months of delberation and reading reviews / opinion, we went for the Just Kampers retro awning (having see one set up at the VolksWorld show).

We haven't used it yet (arrived last week) but did put it up in the garden at the weekend - it was VERY easy, even for me! 15 minutes all in, which for the first go wasn't bad.

http://www.justkampers.com/shop/2010-traditional-spacemaker-driveaway-awning-for-left-hand-drive-models-j13642.html

It has an inner tent and ground sheet too. The frame is the metal pole variety as opposed to fibre glass which means it doesn't pack down as small, but makes building it very easy. The build quality seems good - strong joints, hinged / wire-connected where necessary. They've even colour-coded the ends so you can't go wrong!

15 minutes is pretty good. I assume it's quite heavy if it's got metal poles.

The combined weight of the 2 bags that it comes in is around 38kg I think.

So it's not that light. Or compact. Probably bigger than some I've seen anyway.

The size is less of an issue though -it'l only be in the van 'en route' - the rest of the time stuck outside.

Looks a lot like the Royal Traveller awning, we have an original 1970 one we use occasionally, 'donated' by my F-I-L.

Here is the awning the Walmsleys now have . . .

http://campershop.co.uk/drive-away-campervan-awnings/10-royal-traveller-tunnel-awning.html

. . . says it is now on sale too

Thanks Scooby. I'm glad we got yours - couldn't possibly have a blue one!

Your awning does make a good Kolour match with your Kombi
We agree that blue would not be right
Rooby Roo

it definitely has the retro look, but hopefully with new awning reliability and rain-proofing.!!

We were torn (hopefully no pun intended!) between this and a more modern one. Saw a few options at the VW show and decided this was the one for us. Quite liked that it wasn't too big once up as well.

Thank you, guys! How I love this forum! Funny enough we were considering all the 3 models mentioned in the last posts. We ruled out the retro one from JK because of the price and the weight (I really like the look, though) and now choosing between Walmsley's Royal Traveller (the new one) and Tallulah's Outlaw - both looking good and in good price on campershop website.

I stated earlier in this thread that the retro awning was about 38kg but I'm clearly not very good at 'guess the weight' competitions! The actual weight is 21kg.

It is still quite bulky though.

Let us know what you go for in the end though!