Vango Kela

Hello

Though I would report on the new Vango Kela Airbeam awning as it had its first outing over the weekend. I am very impressed. Very well made, sturdy and easy to connect to the van. So far, I would recommend it. I would advise a small separate groundsheet to use between the awning and van to avoid mud in the van though.

My only criticism is that it is impossible to get it completely back into the bag after use. Even leaving the pump and pegs out, I have only just got it in with some awning poking out. Why do they never make the bags big enough or provide a steam roller to flatten it?

Cheers

Fee

Any pics?

Sorry, I cannot upload pics from the office. However, great video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wyq2j4gTQI&feature=player_embedded

Thanks for that - looks good
From your comments they just need to get that bag the right size

Think we need to have an awning off, quickest to erect wins!!!!! (nothing)

I don't fancy my chances with my khyam motordome against this Vango

Have to agree. The airbeam is pretty impressive

That looks great - am very tempted. How did you connect it to van? And could you recommend a cheap supplier?

Skytiger wrote:

Think we need to have an awning off, quickest to erect wins!!!!! (nothing)

I don't fancy my chances with my khyam motordome against this Vango

I'm going to have to get some practice in. No way I'm going to want to be beaten by some puffing Billy.

It was easy to connect to the van. The intructions gave three options none of which made that much sense as I am not familar with 'awning speak' so I looked in the bag to see what bits I had. I used a short pole you slide into a sleeve on the top edge of the awning and which then sits in the rain gutter. They provide three wing nut clamps with rubber protectors to secure it in place - very solid!

An 'awning off' of a great idea. Any tie breaks can be decided on by a putting back in the bag competition (assuming there is time...)!

FionaR wrote:

An 'awning off' of a great idea. Any tie breaks can be decided on by a putting back in the bag competition (assuming there is time...)!

Ah, we'll in that case you've lost, as we won't be allowing steam rollers on the site

Glad you like your new awning Fiona... Danbury doing a deal for anyone else wanting one . Just PM me

Another sold to a member :-)

Hi there!

I have just been away for a couple of days with my new Vango Kela and I thought you might like to see some pics....




Looking in from the back door. Note posh Carpet! (Ordered from Towsure) I took the inner room out for this trip, but it works well with it in and is usable. (Back door has no window but mesh option)



Looking in from side. This big window panel can be fully opened, used as a door and has the option of a mesh, also has curtain.



Looking from Van - I love the big window and being able to see out more than with my kyham.



The device that is keeping the air in! - There is one of these at the base of each beam.



Stoppers to bottom of airbeams accessed through zip up squares to left and right of main panel.



Attached to van by pole and clamp...maybe not my best pitch effort but a good start!



View in from back door to opposite window (which has a curtain but doesn't open)



I bought a footprint from Towsure. This allows for a groundsheet approx 1ft plus wide from van door to main of tent plus under rest of tent. FionaR this would solve your mud problem between awning and van. It's also helpful as a guide of where to park when lining the van back up.




I bought this awning for my road trip this summer (30 days to Scotland & back, just me and my 2 girls). I thought it might by easier to handle than the kyham on my own. I liked the Vango's simplicity, sewn in ground sheet and option of carpet!! (I know, I know, but on a rainy day a little comfort for my youngest will like this)

So after putting it up in the garden and using it for real, did it live up to my expectations?

Well, yes! I really liked it and I have to say, I will probably be selling my kyham (any takers?). I loved the big windows and being able to see out more than the kyham. It was very possible to put up and put down on my own and relatively swift.

Inflating the airbeams was ok, but only after shortening the connecting pump tube due to a split in it! Hmm, I might be sending that back to Vango. As with all these things, there is always a knack to it. I definitely want to put it up and down again a couple of times, as each time you learn what is the best way to do something! However, I'm certainly not at the erecting time of 3 minutes yet, which is the time it says it takes to put up on the bag!

Also, remember, you do have to actually pump up those beams, so a little effort is required!

Anyway, that's my thoughts after my first Kela outing :-). Everyone is always helping me out on here, so I hope this might be of interest and be helpful back. Well, it will keep you going until you see one for real perhaps at the sleepover!

EJ

Great pics and words, EJ. Looks like a great option. I wonder if an electric pump that runs from the front power socket would make inflating easier?

FAB description & pics - thanks for sharing

Well done EJ and again, thank you for the comprehensive review!

Mmmmm looks good Ej, tempted.

Absinthe wrote:

Great pics and words, EJ. Looks like a great option. I wonder if an electric pump that runs from the front power socket would make inflating easier?

Not having an airbeam a can't be 100% sure but if they're anything like kitesurfing kites you have to pump them up pretty hard. The electric fan pumps can't get enough pressure into them. Will be OK to get them inflated just not to finish the job

kiteman wrote:

Not having an airbeam a can't be 100% sure but if they're anything like kitesurfing kites you have to pump them up pretty hard.

I remember that bit. Can work up quite a sweat :-)

I have tamed the kela! Bought a Gelert 140lt cargo bag and everything fits in without wrestling! Dead cheap from Amazon (although shouldn't have needed to have bought...)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Cargo-Bag-Black-140lt/dp/B0027MJQSG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365538495&sr=8-2&keywords=Gelert+140

By the way, it takes very little effort to pump it up (just make sure you connect the inflate, rather than the deflate, side of the foot pump). I think an electric pump would take longer to set up!

Cheers

Fiona

Ps. Great pics Ej

Thanks for your comments :-)

I like the Gelert bag FionaR, thanks for that. I'm happy using the pump I've got for now, just got to make sure I look after that connector pipe!

EJ

When we occasionally use our six man tent we have a double air bed which has the same fitting that the vango looks like it has. We use an adaptor from decathlon and our electric tyre pump which we got from the ADAC ( German AA) pump even in 12v will reach 120psi and has a switch over for large volume inflation ( usable on small lorry tyres)

Something like that might work with the vango ok

Aha, very clever...thanks for that belgiumbay!

EJ

Your best asking Vango first as I'm not sure they are designed to be inflated with any high pressure electric pumps . I did this with an inflatable kayak once and damaged it

A few years back we bought a small pump from Tesco for around £5. It has mains and 12v cables and a set of valve adapters that means it works with pretty much everything.

It works fine for blowing up a variety of airbeds, paddling pools small bouncy castles (also bought from Tesco for £15) and I'm sure would be fine for the Vango too on that basis.