Vango Airhub hexaway

[oak]

Hi.

Any thoughts or experience with the Vango Airhub Hexaway?

With the family of four (kids' age 5 and 7) we have found the need for some more room. We need to have somewhere to put the kids' seats and other luggage since moving around inside the van when it is fully packed can be a puzzle. And of course, it is nice with some more room to avoid sitting on top of each other (yes, siblings in that age can sometimes need a bit space between them. ...ok, the adults as well sometimes ;-)).

Another use is when I am using the California for my hobby, participating in radio control airplane events, where the Hexaway could serve as a depot to relax, shade from the sun or shelter when it is pouring down, maintain the airplanes and also possibly store them overnight.

I am a little bit worried about the size/weight and pitching time, but if the 10 min stated is realistic I guess it should be viable to put it up even for one night only.

What do you think, would the Hexaway be a good choice? Or would you recommend any other awning?

 

[Amarillo]

Hi.

Any thoughts or experience with the Vango Airhub Hexaway?

With the family of four (kids' age 5 and 7) we have found the need for some more room. We need to have somewhere to put the kids' seats and other luggage since moving around inside the van when it is fully packed can be a puzzle. And of course, it is nice with some more room to avoid sitting on top of each other (yes, siblings in that age can sometimes need a bit space between them. ...ok, the adults as well sometimes ;-)).

Another use is when I am using the California for my hobby, participating in radio control airplane events, where the Hexaway could serve as a depot to relax, shade from the sun or shelter when it is pouring down, maintain the airplanes and also possibly store them overnight.

I am a little bit worried about the size/weight and pitching time, but if the 10 min stated is realistic I guess it should be viable to put it up even for one night only.

What do you think, would the Hexaway be a good choice? Or would you recommend any other awning?

I love the look of the Hexaway, and we are considering it as a replacement for our well used Kela. We are getting a Thule G3 Residence and wonder if the Hexaway can be attached with the G3 in place.


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[oak]

I had not seen the G3 residence before. That is the nicest solution I have seen with walls on the roll-out awning. I had not even considered loose walls, as all the ones I have seen looked a bit too flimsy and not like a proper solution.

Looking at the G3 installation video, the front wall is mounted in the C-rail embedded in the front cover of the awning. Same track as you would use for the Hexaway, so unless there exists a Y-split Kador strip I think it would be difficult to fit both at the same time.

 

[Amarillo]

I had not seen the G3 residence before. That is the nicest solution I have seen with walls on the roll-out awning. I had not even considered loose walls, as all the ones I have seen looked a bit too flimsy and not like a proper solution.

Looking at the G3 installation video, the front wall is mounted in the C-rail embedded in the front cover of the awning. Same track as you would use for the Hexaway, so unless there exists a Y-split Kador strip I think it would be difficult to fit both at the same time.

I think there is a kador at the front of the G3.

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/accessories/thule-front-connection-profiles-_-rv-301567


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[oak]

Yes it seems like it is. Then it should very well be possible. You want to do this to get even more space I assume?

On another thought, you probably don't need to mount the front wall anyway if you intend to attach the Hexaway?

I read a review of the G3 here just now, and realize that what I thought was a very simple and light (minimalistic) solution has it's drawbacks as well. It is not a drive-away solution, and pitch time mentioned was 20-30 minutes. And it does not fit into the trunk. With these comments in mind I can't think of any reason to pick the G3 over the Hexaway.

 

[Blubus]

We have been using our hexaway for the first time. It really does take ten minutes to pitch. All the tubes are connected so just attach the pump and up it goes.

Attaching it the Cali is a bit of a pain so we have not bothered. In hindsight I think we should have gone for the hexhub as I can’t see us ever attaching it to the Cali.

Pros : well made, removable ground sheet, very fast to put up.

Cons : Cali attachment is not very quick and I can see water collecting and causing damage.

p.s we bought ours from the club shop and as always the service was great as was the price.

 

[Amarillo]

We have been using our hexaway for the first time. It really does take ten minutes to pitch. All the tubes are connected so just attach the pump and up it goes.

Attaching it the Cali is a bit of a pain so we have not bothered. In hindsight I think we should have gone for the hexhub as I can’t see us ever attaching it to the Cali.

Pros : well made, removable ground sheet, very fast to put up.

Cons : Cali attachment is not very quick and I can see water collecting and causing damage.

View attachment 34245

When using our Kela we nearly always attach it to the fully or partially wound out awning.

Once we have our G3 residence we will experiment with how it works with the Kela.


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[Blubus]

When using our Kela we nearly always attach it to the fully or partially wound out awning.

Once we have our G3 residence we will experiment with how it works with the Kela.


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Thanks I will try that

 

[CampervanBits]

The great thing about the Hexaway is it can also be used as a standalone Gazebo in the garden or on a campsite. We actually used one at the Slimbridge meet and attached it to some Coleman shelters.

Just to add, we have Hexaways in stock and have some excellent deals

 

[California Dreamin]

We have the hex hub and really love it. Loads of trips - fully erect in 10 minutes (stop it). Considered replacing with the hexaway but three things stopped us:
1. hexaway has clear windows in the roof with no cover so not possible to block the sunlight to stop excessive heat nor darken if anyone ever slept in there
2. we like having the air/ view from the van and the feel of having the wind out awning open and the hex adjoining it.
3. not sure the hexaway is available in green which we much prefer. happier light inside.

If we wanted a joined on awning then would go with the hexaway above others out there - but as it is wouldn't want to be without our hex hub and its effective simplicity.

 

[oak]

Thank you for all the feedback so far. Seems like the Hexaway is a good product, and most of you are happy with it.

@Amarillo, thanks for the tip of attaching it to the extented awning. Great idea.

 

[oak]

Ended up with a Hexaway including drive away kit and carpet. It has met my expectations and I have been very happy with it on our first week of vacation. Fortunately the weather has been nice and it has proven as a cool oasis with some shadow.

Only thing I would comment is that mounting it on the roll-out awning, it will not sitt flush against the car. To avoid conflict with the sliding door the wind-out awning has to be rolled out about 10-15cm (4-6 inches). But this is not really a problem, not as long as it is not pouring at least.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

 

[California7]

Hi all,

Are there any significant improvements for the 2019 version of the Hexaway? From what I can see it’s just a material change, was there anything wrong with the ‘old’ material?

Reason for the question is that there are deals for the old version online for £500, the 2019 version in ‘our’ shop is £650 less VIP discount.

Thanks

Tom

 

[MarkVw2017]

What a great question. My wife and i were litterally in an awning shop yesterday and really liked the look of it.

So @Everything VW California you have some in stock at great pricrd, so how much

 

[MarkVw2017]

Hi @oak did u get this awning in the end and if so, what are your thoughts on it?

 

[capt kirk]

There are a few popping up second hand, I got mine with a carpet for £400.00. Put it up last week and as good as new, no issues. Goes up and packs away easily also it fits under the parcel shelf. One note, the doors do not zip closed across the bottom but I have found self adhesive Velcro works fine for that extra bit of closure.

 

[Louis II]

Kampa cross air is also worth considering.
I had one delivered this week and am planning to try and put it up at the weekend so will post some picks.
Main selling points for me were:
Removable groundsheet for fussy campsites.
Sleeping pod that attaches as an extension rather than taking up space inside the main awining.
Small canopy over front door for rainy days.

 

[MarkVw2017]

I went viewing awnings this week, wow, the air awnings are amazing but didnt realise how big and heavy they are when packed away compared to the good old fashioned pole type awanings. Are air awnings really then a better option when space when packed up is a premium in the cali?