Awning on right

[Sacha1dog]

Hi, looking at buying a new T7 California. This version has the already ordered awning on the right of the van.

Does anyone have any experience on whether this is something that matters or not? I’m not sure how important it is or isn’t, and what advantages it might or might not give.

 

[Kernowboy]

Thought you could switch it over easily? So doesn’t matter which side it comes on.

 

[pchmlk]

You’re talking to a forum of right siders! Only
Matters in terms of which way you park sometimes but as above, you can change it on the new cali I believe.

 

[Sacha1dog]

Thankyou. What are the advantages of having it on one side or the other? As a newbie I’m learning !

 

[Californication69]

Thankyou. What are the advantages of having it on one side or the other? As a newbie I’m learning !

On the t6 / 6.1 maybe 5(dunno never had one) it was because there is only 1 sliding door.
So that’s why it’s there.
It was a European van, so door was on passenger side and next to the kerb.

Now we have t7 with two doors, so you have it whichever side you like. (Although looks like you need additional parts to enable the swap over)

UK users of t7 are usually having it in on the nearside (left, passenger) as it’s next to the fridge so you can cook outside with awning over you.

 

[sticky1]

You’re talking to a forum of right siders! Only
Matters in terms of which way you park sometimes but as above, you can change it on the new cali I believe.

Left handers on the T7 page surely!

You will need different mounting hardware for moving to the left side.

I did ask VW parts if I could order an additional Omnistor awning for the right hand side - they said “not yet”

Awning on the left for the kitchen, if you have an Ocean, right hand side for easy access European travel.

 

[Ian in Leicester]

My T7 Ocean has the awning on the right which annoyed me at first. However, the door access is wider on that side so after our first trip away, I was glad it was on the right. We will put a utility tent on the other side for cooking on our camping stove in bad weather. The good thing is two doors for safe access/exit in the UK or in Europe.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Why not have two, electrically deployable so they can deploy simultaneously, then you could have a flapping function and fly away!

 

[Californication69]

Why not have two, electrically deployable so they can deploy simultaneously, then you could have a flapping function and fly away!

You’ve been watching chitty chitty bang bang

 

[Californication69]

My T7 Ocean has the awning on the right which annoyed me at first. However, the door access is wider on that side so after our first trip away, I was glad it was on the right. We will put a utility tent on the other side for cooking on our camping stove in bad weather. The good thing is two doors for safe access/exit in the UK or in Europe.

Mine is coming with it on the left.
And I’d rather drive in, and park towards the hedge as have always had to reverse in.
Most views are out the front.

 

[AdamsFamily]

Mine is coming with it on the left.
And I’d rather drive in, and park towards the hedge as have always had to reverse in.
Most views are out the front.

On a few of the pitches I have had that wouldn't work unless you reversed in.
Hedged pitch, hard-standing on left with your area to the right. Fine for 6.1 or a T7 with it on the right.
Swings and roundabouts I guess.

 

[Californication69]

On a few of the pitches I have had that wouldn't work unless you reversed in.
Hedged pitch, hard-standing on left with your area to the right. Fine for 6.1 or a T7 with it on the right.
Swings and roundabouts I guess.

But with a T7 and two doors you can drive in if needed.
I’m trying to (very badly) explain myself that with only 1 sliding door on a 6.1, you don’t have the option at some pitches.
Where as if you attach the awning either side on a t7.

 

[AdamsFamily]

But with a T7 and two doors you can drive in if needed.
I’m trying to (very badly) explain myself that with only 1 sliding door on a 6.1, you don’t have the option at some pitches.
Where as if you attach the awning either side on a t7.

No I got you..., maybe it was mine that wasn't clear.
I was just saying that if its on your left side, and the pitch dictates you park on the left, and you want to drive in then it'll be on the wrong side for you.
Just like my T6.1 - its on the right, so driving in to a pitch that you need to park on the left works, but if I had to park on the right, then I'd need to reverse in.

 

[Californication69]

No I got you..., maybe it was mine that wasn't clear.
I was just saying that if its on your left side, and the pitch dictates you park on the left, and you want to drive in then it'll be on the wrong side for you.
Just like my T6.1 - its on the right, so driving in to a pitch that you need to park on the left works, but if I had to park on the right, then I'd need to reverse in.

Aha, lol, yes, I also think I’ll need the right hand side awning bracket so if the view is out the front of the pitch, I’d have to reverse in and swap the awning from passenger side to drivers side (RHD)
So yes I get you too !
I was led to believe by VW marketing that it was an easy swap over with no extra brackets, but now we know that’s not the case.

 

[sticky1]

Hopefully they will allow us the buy a second awning at some point then we get to choose either or both.

 

[WelshGas]

Did they not show in the Marketing photos the windows on the Drivers side and a simple sail awning on the other side.

 

[Californication69]

Did they not show in the Marketing photos the windows on the Drivers side and a simple sail awning on the other side.

This is what I remember seeing on the marketing photos. Awning on nearside, and almost like the stitches and steel awning on tuther.

 

[Californication69]

Hopefully they will allow us the buy a second awning at some point then we get to choose either or both.

Then we can be like chatty chatty bang bang

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I definitely prefer the right.....the far right....it is a peoples car from Germany after all!

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Toot sweets can be had by all!

 

[sticky1]

Now waiting for the awning adapter kit from Stitches and Steel as the 7mm “pull bead” needs a kador strip.
Awning feels good quality, any suggestions for pumping up the air tubes as it is supplied with a SUP pump which is too big for van use unless you are taking SUPS.

 

[sticky1]

I finally got round to fitting the inflatable awning on the right.

This is the Stiches and Steel one, which was recommended earlier in the thread.
I have attached a photo of the centre beam to show that it doesn’t rub against the paint and sits proud.
The door slides just under a reinforced patch under the centre beam.
I ordered their LWB drive away awning kit (which fits perfectly in terms of length) and allows you to use the top of the awning rail with the two ‘rope bolts’. (it isn’t needed if you just use the bottom awning rail, but the awning sits lower and you need to be more careful opening the side door.
It’s easy to put away, just slide the awning off and push away and then deflate!





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[sticky1]

…… and for the enlightened ones the Anymaka hammock stand fits perfectly in the van and under the awning!

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[Californication69]

I finally got round to fitting the inflatable awning on the right.

This is the Stiches and Steel one, which was recommended earlier in the thread.
I have attached a photo of the centre beam to show that it doesn’t rub against the paint and sits proud.
The door slides just under a reinforced patch under the centre beam.
I ordered their LWB drive away awning kit (which fits perfectly in terms of length) and allows you to use the top of the awning rail with the two ‘rope bolts’. (it isn’t needed if you just use the bottom awning rail, but the awning sits lower and you need to be more careful opening the side door.
It’s easy to put away, just slide the awning off and push away and then deflate!

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Godamn it, the blue and white looks nice
Wish I’d have had it now
I had cabin fever from having the bronze and white as my first VW camper.
Had it 6 months and went off the colour.

So the blue & white is featured heavily in VW marketing for the t7, so I had to steer clear as per my previous experience.

I do like a full white one with edition stickers tho !
But had too many white escort and transit vans, and focus company cars in white. As it was the non chargeable base colour.

 

[sticky1]

Godamn it, the blue and white looks nice
Wish I’d have had it now
I had cabin fever from having the bronze and white as my first VW camper.
Had it 6 months and went off the colour.

So the blue & white is featured heavily in VW marketing for the t7, so I had to steer clear as per my previous experience.

I do like a full white one with edition stickers tho !
But had too many white escort and transit vans, and focus company cars in white. As it was the non chargeable base colour.

I get lots of positive feedback about the blue and white but can take no credit - wife’s choice.

Personally I really like the orange and silver edition in the flesh.