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What air awnings you all using?

  • Thread starter Jon Barlow T6.1
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Jon Barlow T6.1

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Hull
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T6.1 Ocean 150
Hello everyone just bought my first California and I need a drive away air awning, easy to put up with room for a double mattress, don’t want something to big or complex
Any ideas and pics would be appreciated

Thanks Jon
 
Vango Tolga. We won't use it much unless static on site but perfect size. Do a search and loads of pics.
 
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Thanks for reply, will check it out
 
For your brief, Vango Kela V works. We’ve got a technical cotton version of this, and it’s been good for the year and a half we‘ve had it. Now we have a Vango Galli 3 Technical Cotton (bigger) for longer stays and for visiting family. The nylon versions are lighter / pack smaller, and cheaper, where the TC versions are breathable, last longer, and rustle less in the wind. There are good options from Outdoor Revolution as well. I would think through what your core needs are, like is one living space okay, do you want a porch area, living / sleeping zone, etc., then take a look at specs.

Also, note the Cali door is on the drivers side, and most awnings suit a left hand side door better, and for some styles it doesn’t matter.
 
We have the Kampa Dometic Air Action driveaway awning used once for two weeks in Cornwall last year just bought a caravan and no longer need it cost 530 pounds Feb2022 we are going to advertise it on here for 330 if you are interested?
 
Hello everyone just bought my first California and I need a drive away air awning, easy to put up with room for a double mattress, don’t want something to big or complex
Any ideas and pics would be appreciated

Thanks Jon
Isabella inflatable
Probably among the most expensive but is the best quality item available
We have had Isabella awnigs for years caravannig without problems
Strong and well made
They produce a California specific connector
Remember “buy cheap and pay twice “
Can’t wait to use ours in Spain next month
 
Vango Magra Sport - Used as overspill / day room / dining room. Has a attachable black out bedroom.

Air beam (buy an electrical pump) fairly easy one person put up!

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We have the Kampa Dometic Air Action driveaway awning used once for two weeks in Cornwall last year just bought a caravan and no longer need it cost 530 pounds Feb2022 we are going to advertise it on here for 330 if you are interested?
Just seen this will check it out
 
Isabella inflatable
Probably among the most expensive but is the best quality item available
We have had Isabella awnigs for years caravannig without problems
Strong and well made
They produce a California specific connector
Remember “buy cheap and pay twice “
Can’t wait to use ours in Spain next month
We are hoping to do Austria in April
 
We have a Kampa Rally AIR Pro 260 and I love it. Great quality, has an excellent internal height, and additional 'rooms' can be zipped in if needed. Really useful also to be able to zip out all the walls to use more like a canopy and allow a good through flow of air.
Inflates in 7 minutes with an electric pump.
 
We have an Outwell Starville (now called a Bremburg which has an extra opening). It has openings at the front and rear so it doesn’t matter which way you park the van.

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If you’re looking for ‘smallish’ we went for the Vango Palm Air. Check the internal dimensions, but I’m sure it would take double mattress with a little walk around space.

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Personally I can’t be doing with attaching awnings to the side of the Cali. We rarely use one, but when we do it is as a freestanding room ‘somewhere’ on our pitch. Be aware also of the size and weight of awnings they can take up valuable space that can be used for other items. On saying all that if you need an extra bedroom go for quality.
 
Personally I can’t be doing with attaching awnings to the side of the Cali. We rarely use one, but when we do it is as a freestanding room ‘somewhere’ on our pitch. Be aware also of the size and weight of awnings they can take up valuable space that can be used for other items. On saying all that if you need an extra bedroom go for quality.
Yeh it’s just for when both kids are with us
 
This is ours setup
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And agree with others, it does take up alot of packing space but gives us alot more room when on longer stays. We don't always use it...
 
vango-airhub-hexaway-drive-away-awning_1_1.jpg

Vango AirHub Hexaway II Low Drive Away Awning​

 
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Vango AirHub Hexaway II Low Drive Away Awning​


We love our Hexaway. But not having a sewn in groundsheet mean those slugs can invade overnight, so unless you have a tent within the Hexaway, it’s not really suitable for sleeping.

They look bloody good though.
 
Outdoor revolution Cayman combo air for us. All air awnings are fairly sizeable and take up space but this one is manageable with three of us, two weeks away and other camping related equipment including SUP.

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We haven't used the Cali much so far. Previously (T5 LWB conversion) we had a Vango Kela, which worked well, then a large 'Attar 380' vango airbeam - the '380' being the length of the awning.

We also have a stand-alone vango airhub hex (ie the version without the vehicle connection) which is a very useful space without the faff of having to connect to the van. As others have noted, this lacks a sewn-in groundsheet which means creepy-crawly ingress and blowy flaps when the wind is up. I gather that some camp sites aren't keen on what they consider 'gazeebos', so we may not always be able to use this.
 
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We have tried various things over the years - a cheapish 'Silverstone' driveaway awning (can't remember the make) which was ok but one of the poles broke - and the Comfortz awning sides, which are good quality but heavy, and you can't drive the van away without taking it down. Last year we bought an Outdoor Revolution Cayman Midi Air, which is quite small (we didn't want anything at all large) and easy to put up. We've used it a few times now and have just about got the hang of putting it up not twisted.
I must get round to selling the Silverstone one sometime - it's perfectly useable as we replaced the broken pole.
 
Hello everyone just bought my first California and I need a drive away air awning, easy to put up with room for a double mattress, don’t want something to big or complex



Any ideas and pics would be appreciated







Thanks Jon



Vango tailgate airhub.
 
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