Awning advice please

[FiFiLaDrew]

Hi folks
We are a family of 3 - 2 adults and an older teen. We've just bought our first (new to us) California.
Thoughts are now turning to tent/awning options, as frankly we will kill each other if we cram 3 of us and 2 dogs into one van! But...I'm really not keen on opening the sliding door straight into a tent. I'd like something with lots of flexibility that could, if space allowed, be pitched near the van, or off the wind-out awning.
I'm looking at Sheltapod and the Cinch pod - primarily because of the flexibility.
Does anyone have any experience of either of these? Or perhaps can suggest an alternative?
Both the Sheltapod and the Cinch look quite lightweight, which is important, but I'm also wondering about how robust they are?
Thanks

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Just connect the awning to the non sliding door side, or, have it freestanding.

 

[California Dreamer]

Hi folks
We are a family of 3 - 2 adults and an older teen. We've just bought our first (new to us) California.
Thoughts are now turning to tent/awning options, as frankly we will kill each other if we cram 3 of us and 2 dogs into one van! But...I'm really not keen on opening the sliding door straight into a tent. I'd like something with lots of flexibility that could, if space allowed, be pitched near the van, or off the wind-out awning.
I'm looking at Sheltapod and the Cinch pod - primarily because of the flexibility.
Does anyone have any experience of either of these? Or perhaps can suggest an alternative?
Both the Sheltapod and the Cinch look quite lightweight, which is important, but I'm also wondering about how robust they are?
Thanks

V happy with our cinch! It withstood some pretty heavy storms in France, no concerns. We used as a wardrobe / changing room and extra living space when weather was iffy. Anything specific you want to know just ask.


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[Sad]

Our driveaways both had a 'tunnel' between the van and the 'tent'. But you could also have the windout awning out some way to have a shelter between the van and tent

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

We tried all sorts of combinations and finally settled on a two berth caravan when 3 or more adults plus dog went on holiday, I still have a Robens Prospector Shack Tent (with Log Burner) that can sit nicely next to a California, that way everyone argues about who gets the tent rather than the California

 

[FiFiLaDrew]

Just connect the awning to the non sliding door side, or, have it freestanding.

Sounds

Just connect the awning to the non sliding door side, or, have it freestanding.

As a total novice...I hadn't even thought of that!
Thanks for the wise words Ch1pbutty.

 

[FiFiLaDrew]

V happy with our cinch! It withstood some pretty heavy storms in France, no concerns. We used as a wardrobe / changing room and extra living space when weather was iffy. Anything specific you want to know just ask.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you California Dreamer They look great - Are they as faff-free as they seem?
Do you use any of the additions like the sleeping tent and the van connector at all please?
How have you found it in rain? I think the HH is 3000 on the Cinch (5000 on the Sheltapod) and am a little worried about soggy occupants. We travel to Scotland regularly, good waterproofing and wind resistance is a must.
Sorry for all the Q's!

 

[FiFiLaDrew]

Our driveaways both had a 'tunnel' between the van and the 'tent'. But you could also have the windout awning out some way to have a shelter between the van and tent

Yes absolutely, would need to watch pitch size then I guess? I'm a bit averse to very 'organised and regimented' campsites, but I read threads cautioning of too wide a footprint and some dislike of tents/awnings not attarched?

 

[FiFiLaDrew]

We tried all sorts of combinations and finally settled on a two berth caravan when 3 or more adults plus dog went on holiday, I still have a Robens Prospector Shack Tent (with Log Burner) that can sit nicely next to a California, that way everyone argues about who gets the tent rather than the California

With a log burner I can see why! Dogs and husband would be in there like a shot...which has it's positives!

 

[California Dreamer]

Thank you California Dreamer They look great - Are they as faff-free as they seem?
Do you use any of the additions like the sleeping tent and the van connector at all please?
How have you found it in rain? I think the HH is 3000 on the Cinch (5000 on the Sheltapod) and am a little worried about soggy occupants. We travel to Scotland regularly, good waterproofing and wind resistance is a must.
Sorry for all the Q's!

Yep faff-free in our experience! Found the connector a bit faffy tho (only tried it once) and I prefer to open the door to the outside, whatever the weather. Cinch bone dry after some torrential downpours but we didn’t use it for sleeping - and being France not Scotland it did get chance to dry out in the sun If using for sleeping I would look at the inner tent and possibly the side storage area to chuck stuff in and keep van as empty as possible.


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[Norfolk Jim]

We had a Shelterpod on our T5 conversion before we bought our Cali. It was one of the earlier ones and all adverts said the bees knees but...............bear in mind we we're/are hardened campers it took me quite a while to put it up and I still wasn't happy with it's shape; I could not get it to sit flat. The space inside isn't as big as you think either and if wind get's up you have to take down the connecting strip which I found rather an annoyance. We sold on and then bought a Kyam drive away which was easier to put up, good in wind and smaller pack!! Shelterpod felt flimsy - here's some picks on our T5 - loads of poles....... hope this helps

 

[ejmoore]

Just connect the awning to the non sliding door side, or, have it freestanding.

Great idea to put the awning on the passenger side - that never crossed my mind, but would be good in some circumstances.

But how do you fix it? We only have the metal channel on that side - would it need an extra large kador strip?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Great idea to put the awning on the passenger side - that never crossed my mind, but would be good in some circumstances.

But how do you fix it? We only have the metal channel on that side - would it need an extra large kador strip?

With one of these; slide both lengths into the Cali channel as it’s an odd shape.

https://towsure.com/products/dometic-twin-drive-away-kit-3-or-4m-lengths?variant=45997785841966&currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_KndbukVBcz6URpTNo3O-h7NxjQJr_a-YRwdjGvyND02JU-MC0UQooaAu3yEALw_wcB

 

[ejmoore]

With one of these; slide both lengths into the Cali channel as it’s an odd shape.

Ah, ok! Will give this a go. Thank you.