Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Show Us Your Awning Setup

M

Matty

Messages
59
Location
Aberdeen
Vehicle
T6 Beach 150
So we've just returned from our very first trip with our T6 Beach. Learned loads even tho it was only 2 nights away but we knew this would be the case and have already started planning for this weekend.

Our biggest requirement is for an awning, 2 adults plus a 1 year old means we need some space to keep car seats and buggies etc. won't be sleeping in it but will be using it for a drink or 2 in the evening once our little girl is sleeping. So with this in mind, Show us your awing setup, lets see what everyones using and what works and what doesn't.

Cheers,
Matty
 
I'll chuck in a 'devil's advocate' type reply. ;)

For us they don't work full stop. Too big and bulky to carry, a faff to put up and when wet a huge faffy wet faff to put away (and get out again at home to dry and then put away again).

The essence of the Cali for us is the built in sun awning, table and two chairs - the quintessential simple set up.

An alternative is to take a small pop up tent for the clobber and then add some sides to the Cali awning.

Or go Heath-Robinson:

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/that-quecha-tarp-tip.14979/

But the above is just IMHO - for many (full) awnings work great and are essential but we only camp in the hot summer if we can help it! :D
 
Here’s ours. Vango galli low.
Now have the diet galli (compact) RHD as got sent the larger one by accident. It is very big. But great to have. In all fairness it took 20 mins to erect and 20 mins to demolish. The only downside was drying it out.

095A3225-3101-43CB-8A09-DEE1B56AA64F.jpeg

EF001850-A2CF-480B-8BD8-9904CB298C1E.jpeg
 
392fcb4646222a61193d99344cbfc07a.jpg

My favourite awning setup in a very wet Flåm a year and a day ago.

Canopy fully extended to provide a covered outdoor eating area and driveaway awning connected to the canopy for extra stowage.

However, we are now very experienced in our 3 seat bench Beach, and with the four of us plus dog reckon we could go for up to a week without the need for external stowage. We now have a G3 residence for Amarillo's kitchen and dining area. It helps that our two toddlers have grown into two boys over the past year.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu
 
We use an outwell scenic road 300SA for 2+ nights away and 2+ people. Other than a mind boggling air valve that required follow up (outcome: technique) the engineering is excellent. We have an inner which has a maxi helinox camp bed (superb) and a crate for the dog. Still leaving enough space outside the inner but still in the awning for 3/4 people to sit reasonably comfortably. Alternatively we have the 3 sides available from the Cali shop. Easy and quick to set up. Ideal for 2 people, providing some additional shelter and wiggle room outside the van and a place to put toilet at night whilst we sleep inside. Then there is the 3rd option of no add on awning at all. It really does depend on weather, number of people camping, duration of trip and desired level of input. Some times one cannot be bothered, other times it’s a great addition. There is no single answer to have or have not. I like multiple options.
 
We use an outwell scenic road 300SA for 2+ nights away and 2+ people. Other than a mind boggling air valve that required follow up (outcome: technique) the engineering is excellent. We have an inner which has a maxi helinox camp bed (superb) and a crate for the dog. Still leaving enough space outside the inner but still in the awning for 3/4 people to sit reasonably comfortably. Alternatively we have the 3 sides available from the Cali shop. Easy and quick to set up. Ideal for 2 people, providing some additional shelter and wiggle room outside the van and a place to put toilet at night whilst we sleep inside. Then there is the 3rd option of no add on awning at all. It really does depend on weather, number of people camping, duration of trip and desired level of input. Some times one cannot be bothered, other times it’s a great addition. There is no single answer to have or have not. I like multiple options.

I've had issues with the valve on my Outwell Milestone air pro (it kept popping open when I was trying to blow the tent up, instantly deflating it), what's the trick with the technique? Thanks.
 
@Max-Felix I totally agree that an awning isn't for everyone, I won't be taking one when I go away surfing for the weekend and its just me.

Thanks, for the pics @paulscryer and @Amarillo but they both seem like huge options. Interesting that you think you could go a week for a week with 4 and a dog Amarillo with no need for extra storage...Maybe we just need more practise at being organised.....
 
1253487A-D3B1-413A-B0EC-D2E083C24076.jpeg We use a Khyam 380 Motordome Classic Driveaway if we’re on the same site for a few days. We put the fridge out there, and all our cooking stuff just stays in the awning until we need it.

I see you’re in Aberdeen too - our awning survived some shocking weather last year up here! In fact I think this is the first time we didn’t have to put it up in a gale! ;)
 
Interesting that you think you could go a week for a week with 4 and a dog Amarillo with no need for extra storage...Maybe we just need more practise at being organised.....
It's about taking away only what is needed and making best use of the under bed boot storage.

Underwear and base layer clothing go in VanEssa window bags; footwear in a box under the van; outerwear, swimwear and towels in a box behind the bench seat; if required, fleeces on hooks by the sliding door or opposite the sliding door.

Muji draws containing all kitchen equipment, food and dining utensils under multiflex; fridge behind passenger seat; children's table and chairs folded together and slid under van.

Driver's seat swivelled, bed for dog on seat; child seats removed and one upside down in passenger footwell, the other above.

Washbag in underseat tray #1, children's story books in tray #2, bike repair tools and spare tubes in tray #3 (faff to access due to fridge); space for GB Pockit stroller by the side of bench (no longer needed).
c400718831fe3b188b1a86480921a427.jpg


Odds and ends in Brandrup pockets on seat backs.

It's a bit of a faff to access gear immediately behind the bench seat lowered to a bed, with two Muji boxes needing to be removed, but we do have eight hanging hooks behind the front seats, so two per person (fleece and waterproofs).

Normally we would remove the Muji boxes and store in a driveaway awning or G3 residence, and stow the child seats under the multiflex.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu
 
Last edited:
I would agree with Amarillo. For us over the past 3 years we’ve been shedding things and packing less and less each trip. Comes down to experience but it’s easy to over pack and make life harder.

This season has been quite effortless now we’ve got it about right. The window bags also are a great buy for a beach and we have one each and all our clothes and toiletries go in there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I would agree with Amarillo. For us over the past 3 years we’ve been shedding things and packing less and less each trip. Comes down to experience but it’s easy to over pack and make life harder.

This season has been quite effortless now we’ve got it about right. The window bags also are a great buy for a beach and we have one each and all our clothes and toiletries go in there.
Are you just two?

The OP has a one year old so will need a group 1 car seat, pram and/or stroller and somewhere to seat 1 year old at mealtimes, plus a daily change of clothes and spares in case of poonami.



Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu
 
7AB1D7E1-5142-4C82-A03E-1DBCFF6AB4E4.jpeg
This is our awning, an Outwell Pace. It provides us options when we want an awning!; the Pace is brilliant as it does not attach to the vehicle, you can place it as close for rain free entry or as shown using the Cali sun awning to provide some shade (currently in the Ardeche so quite welcome) or anywhere in between. This “drive up” awning works for us:) pumps up in about 20 mins likewise to take down
 
View attachment 34863

Vango Airhub Hexaway (purchased from club shop;)) Love the space, great if you don't need an awning to sleep in and looks really cool when set-up :D One simple inflation point and up it goes!
This looks great! Do you know if this can be attached to extended awning and if so which version would be suitable (I see one is standalone and one is driveaway)

All the best
 
This looks great! Do you know if this can be attached to extended awning and if so which version would be suitable (I see one is standalone and one is driveaway)

All the best
Yes the drive away version (hexaway) joins on to the wind out awning using a suitable figure of eight kit/kador strip. That is what I have. The hex version is a standalone gazebo.
 
I'm with @Max-Felix . I take a small 2 man pup tent for all the clobber, coats, boots, etc which makes a lot more space in the van. Then use the roll out awning in the evenings. It is either a sun screen or rain protection. I usually only put the awning ½ way out, making sure it is well pegged down. I have side walls for it that can be used one at a time or all together.
 
694EFB15-2BF6-4CD7-85A2-CB987D65D1ED.jpeg BB7D7875-4114-4667-8403-7B4EC3297387.jpeg Laundry day at St Gervais Les Bains, near Mont Blanc! Not usually this scruffy. Two of us plus a dog. We sleep upstairs, he sleeps in a pop-up DogBag inside the Quechua Seconds Shelter (not attached). We leave all our gear inside the Shelter when we go off for the day. Suits us.
 
Last edited:
We now have a simple sun/privacy screen that also stops all but the most persistent rain, (also acts as additional tie-down for the wind out) and if Chris brings all his paddle clobber we throw up a 2 man pop-up or even a Loo tent to use as additional storage.
IMG_0449.jpg IMG_1648.jpg
 
We now have a simple sun/privacy screen that also stops all but the most persistent rain, (also acts as additional tie-down for the wind out) and if Chris brings all his paddle clobber we throw up a 2 man pop-up or even a Loo tent to use as additional storage.
View attachment 34885 View attachment 34884

I like that one @Loz. I was looking to pick up a brandrup one on eBay.

What make is yours ?


Mike
 
We've tried this:
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg

If your going to try this, ask the other Cali owners permission first.

It's makes a great space for eating and drinking with friends. However, some sites won't allow this sort of activity.
 

Similar threads

CampervanTime
Replies
12
Views
2K
superchoward
superchoward
WelshGas
Replies
39
Views
13K
Elly Swanson
Elly Swanson
Emma Hughes
Replies
9
Views
2K
Emma Hughes
Emma Hughes
Back
Top