Comfortz VW California T6 Awning Kit

[RJL1]

Hi,

Anyone purchased or used one of these awning kits?

Fair cheaper than the Thule version, would really appreciate your comments,

Thanks

Rod

 

[calikev]

Only about 2000 members

 

[ChrisB]

HI, I have the full awning kit (2 side panels and a front panel) for my T6 Ocean. Personally, I think it's fantastic. The whole thing can be set up and dismantled in just a few minutes and the side panels will store inside the tailgate compartment where the chairs are kept. It is not as sophisticated as the more expensive models, nor does it provide a perfect fit to the sides of the vehicle, but the fact that it is so quick and easy to use more than makes up for this. There is a you tube video on this. I made some 'fillets' from awning material that I got from a camper shop and attached them to the Velcro on upper sections of the side panels to seal the gaps. The fillets are almost identical to the lower polythene sections of the awning panels. One side is attached to the panel with the Velcro and the other simply attaches to the van with magnets. Just make sure you get the Thule (or equivalent) tie down straps for your awning otherwise the first decent gust of wing could cost you a lot of money. Hope this helps.

 

[KiwiCali]

New 2018 version Comfortz awning sides. (I have added this into the "new bits for your VW" thread as well) Overall very impressed with the quality. Arrived in NZ within 10 days. Think they will be great using individually (ie just put one side up etc) as a wind break as well.... will really come in handy for multiple day stays. I have yet to work out the best way of pegging the new sides down, which have the new piece for stopping wind/water getting under. Be good if Comfortz if they are listening can update their video with the 2018 version. Clearly comfortz have made a number of changes since the earlier versions ... personally I put these up with Thule type quality - especially the new wind/water proofing bit on the bottom, plus how well the three sections fit together on the corners. Yes wind can get in from under the Cali plus the the sides against the Cali ... but it's no biggie. I do love the overall package and fact that they fit in with the chairs in the tailgate ... I also just use some spare tie downs from a tent we had ... gives piece of mind in the wind. Overall very happy ... and will see how things go for the rest of the summer!

 

[Amarillo]

We have had both Comfortz and Thule - bought 2nd hand.

..................Comfortz....Thule
Errection....quick..........fiddly
Price..........cheaper......expensive
Size...........smaller........larger
Sealing.......drafty.........windproof
Pack...........small..........bulky

The biggest advantages with the Thule is it can be heated with the parking heater and there is space for a kitchen area and dining area for four. Its biggest disadvantages are its price, time to put up and you cannot open the driver’s door once it is up.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

 

[KiwiCali]

HI, I have the full awning kit (2 side panels and a front panel) for my T6 Ocean. Personally, I think it's fantastic. The whole thing can be set up and dismantled in just a few minutes and the side panels will store inside the tailgate compartment where the chairs are kept. It is not as sophisticated as the more expensive models, nor does it provide a perfect fit to the sides of the vehicle, but the fact that it is so quick and easy to use more than makes up for this. There is a you tube video on this. I made some 'fillets' from awning material that I got from a camper shop and attached them to the Velcro on upper sections of the side panels to seal the gaps. The fillets are almost identical to the lower polythene sections of the awning panels. One side is attached to the panel with the Velcro and the other simply attaches to the van with magnets. Just make sure you get the Thule (or equivalent) tie down straps for your awning otherwise the first decent gust of wing could cost you a lot of money. Hope this helps.

HI, I have the full awning kit (2 side panels and a front panel) for my T6 Ocean. Personally, I think it's fantastic. The whole thing can be set up and dismantled in just a few minutes and the side panels will store inside the tailgate compartment where the chairs are kept. It is not as sophisticated as the more expensive models, nor does it provide a perfect fit to the sides of the vehicle, but the fact that it is so quick and easy to use more than makes up for this. There is a you tube video on this. I made some 'fillets' from awning material that I got from a camper shop and attached them to the Velcro on upper sections of the side panels to seal the gaps. The fillets are almost identical to the lower polythene sections of the awning panels. One side is attached to the panel with the Velcro and the other simply attaches to the van with magnets. Just make sure you get the Thule (or equivalent) tie down straps for your awning otherwise the first decent gust of wing could cost you a lot of money. Hope this helps.

Hi ... like your creativity ... do you have any pictures you could share?

 

[Amarillo]

 

[Jaunty]

Hey KiwiCali thanks for your really useful write up and pictures of the latest version. Great that the sides fit with the chairs. Do you have a pic of how big the front sheet stores up as?

Comfortz, a video of putting up the new one would be great to see if you are reading this...

 

[KiwiCali]

Hey KiwiCali thanks for your really useful write up and pictures of the latest version. Great that the sides fit with the chairs. Do you have a pic of how big the front sheet stores up as?

Comfortz, a video of putting up the new one would be great to see if you are reading this...

Hi ... sorry no picture as the Cali is in another part of the Country currently. I put the front panel inside one chair and the other two sides in the other. It def adds more weight to the back door, and I will probably just pop them up in the roofbox, or put them under the back seat anyway. From memory the front panel is about the same size as a folder Queen bed sheet.

 

[Jaunty]

Hi ... sorry no picture as the Cali is in another part of the Country currently. I put the front panel inside one chair and the other two sides in the other. It def adds more weight to the back door, and I will probably just pop them up in the roofbox, or put them under the back seat anyway. From memory the front panel is about the same size as a folder Queen bed sheet.

Even better if it can all go in the chairs area if you need it to. Only 2 of us and haven’t used our new van much yet. One of these seem like it would be easier and neater than lugging my Vango Airbeam tent with us if staying in one place for a little while.

 

[KiwiCali]

Even better if it can all go in the chairs area if you need it to. Only 2 of us and haven’t used our new van much yet. One of these seem like it would be easier and neater than lugging my Vango Airbeam tent with us if staying in one place for a little while.

Yep - thats the process we have been through. Even my small tent takes up a good hunk of room (which really made me think the Comfortz sides was better), and whilst I think the concept of the drive away awning is awesome - for longer stays - we don't think that is what we want the Cali for. We want to explore, up sticks and move to another location - and be able to move quickly. If we were to stay in a location for a week - then we don't think we would take the Cali ... we would just take the tent and all the camping stuff and set up shop!. It's just the two of us which probably makes a difference ...

 

[Jaunty]

Yep - thats the process we have been through. Even my small tent takes up a good hunk of room (which really made me think the Comfortz sides was better), and whilst I think the concept of the drive away awning is awesome - for longer stays - we don't think that is what we want the Cali for. We want to explore, up sticks and move to another location - and be able to move quickly. If we were to stay in a location for a week - then we don't think we would take the Cali ... we would just take the tent and all the camping stuff and set up shop!. It's just the two of us which probably makes a difference ...

If you wanted to drive away could you in theory detach, drop the sides inwards, drop the main panel over the top of them, and just leave it all staked down as a 'placeholder' for your van? Saves packing and unpacking, if you accept some of the inside may get muddy...?

 

[KiwiCali]

If you wanted to drive away could you in theory detach, drop the sides inwards, drop the main panel over the top of them, and just leave it all staked down as a 'placeholder' for your van? Saves packing and unpacking, if you accept some of the inside may get muddy...?

Hi ... given you will have to wind back the awning ... it just leaves the three sides ... you only need to fold them up and store them away. Honesty ... for the time you save ... it's just easier to pack the lot up. What do others think who are Comfortz experts?

 

[Taff7996]

Realy useful piece of kit,

The one thing I would say, it's ok for short stays, but on longer stays we use a drive away awning
Taking it up and down, every time you go out in the van drags after a while

 

[Jaunty]

Realy useful piece of kit,

The one thing I would say, it's ok for short stays, but on longer stays we use a drive away awning
Taking it up and down, every time you go out in the van drags after a while

So this sounds ideal for festivals over 3 or 4 nights where the last thing you will be doing is driving anywhere until you pack up and go home. Now, just to cross my fingers it is a promoted ‘sale/offer’ items soon in the shop store haha.

 

[Jaunty]

Just using my second hand Comfortz one with the bottom parts. Well, one side bit as a windbreak, as lovely weather. The only real thing I’d say it that it is a bit too short near the van to properly peg down. Otherwise very happy.

 

[Wongo]

I love its simplicity, it takes minutes to put up & down

 

[James Freeman]

Hi all. Just found this thread !
How do you fit the sides in with the chairs in the back? I can't figure that one out (unless you are removing the chairs??)
Thanks!

 

[James Freeman]

New 2018 version Comfortz awning sides. (I have added this into the "new bits for your VW" thread as well) Overall very impressed with the quality. Arrived in NZ within 10 days. Think they will be great using individually (ie just put one side up etc) as a wind break as well.... will really come in handy for multiple day stays. I have yet to work out the best way of pegging the new sides down, which have the new piece for stopping wind/water getting under. Be good if Comfortz if they are listening can update their video with the 2018 version. Clearly comfortz have made a number of changes since the earlier versions ... personally I put these up with Thule type quality - especially the new wind/water proofing bit on the bottom, plus how well the three sections fit together on the corners. Yes wind can get in from under the Cali plus the the sides against the Cali ... but it's no biggie. I do love the overall package and fact that they fit in with the chairs in the tailgate ... I also just use some spare tie downs from a tent we had ... gives piece of mind in the wind. Overall very happy ... and will see how things go for the rest of the summer!View attachment 40953 View attachment 40954 View attachment 40955 View attachment 40956

Hi all. Just found this thread !
How do you fit the sides in with the chairs in the back? I can't figure that one out (unless you are removing the chairs??)
Thanks!