Do I NEED a drive away awning kit?

[Gazbibelots1860]

I wonder if anyone can give me their opinion, can’t work it out from online info and searching the forum. We’ve just got a drive away awning for our Cali (Galli poled). I used it once already and just fed it into the wind out awning channel by winding it out a touch. But then I watched a Kampa YT video where they attached an awning to a Cali this way but they used a ladle strip kit, I just can’t see the point in this or am I missing something?

Just wondering if I need the kit and if so what the benefit are.

I will say the one annoying thing about using the method I tried out was you have to hold the awning away from the sliding door when you open and close so it doesn’t catch too much, maybe it solves this issue?!

Thanks

 

[Dodge1311]

You need one if you want to “drive away” . Can’t drive away without the kit.

 

[Sad]

This helps to explain in a generic fashion. As Dodge says, it's about being able to detatch from the drive away and use the van, then reattach once you get back

 

[pchmlk]

I watched someone trying to re-dock to their driveway awning last year and it looked more stressful and relationship taxing than trying to moor a boat.

 

[dspuk]

I mean technically, you could "drive away" if someone stood outside and held the strip while you pulled away, and you would need a steady hand coming back in, but it would be much easier to get a drive away kador strip.

Just pull it out and the awning disconnects and when coming back you just line yourself back up (we use pegs set when we leave to the middle of the wheel sidewalls) and then reattach the strip.

 

[Gazbibelots1860]

Ah thank you!! I’ve got it! I just could not work it out. This explains why I find it so difficult to drive away and reattach back to the awning! @pchmlk it may have well been us that you were watching as you describe what happened so well

I’m buying one!

 

[Gazbibelots1860]

So advice welcome please… we bought the vango kit. It’s been rainy and windy, the first night the plastic fig 8 strips just worked their way free and the awning flapped around the disconnected (the kador strip stayed attached to the van). Next night I fixed on the awning’s storm straps over each end of the van and that seemed to really help. However the figure of 8s still just slide around and water leaks through them meaning the porch area isn’t the nice dry space it’s meant to be. Are all fixing kits like this? Are there any with better designs?

 

[dspuk]

So advice welcome please… we bought the vango kit. It’s been rainy and windy, the first night the plastic fig 8 strips just worked their way free and the awning flapped around the disconnected (the kador strip stayed attached to the van). Next night I fixed on the awning’s storm straps over each end of the van and that seemed to really help. However the figure of 8s still just slide around and water leaks through them meaning the porch area isn’t the nice dry space it’s meant to be. Are all fixing kits like this? Are there any with better designs?

Only thing I can think is either you have the wrong size strip and it’s too small or you are not winding your awning out before attaching and then winding back in a little to tension the top and the strip. Or both.

Nothing wrong with the designs, just watch some videos on YT about how to attach properly.

 

[WEHILL@SONS]

I’ve always had that problem - put crocodile clips at each end to stop the strip working its way out. Actually not a great system - the boffins should work on it.

 

[dspuk]

Honestly never had an issue. As long as you have the right diameter strip and plastic connectors for your awning it works perfectly.

 

[Jay-D]

Get some kador clamps, keeps everything in place in rough weather, I got some of Etsy. Drive away kits are great mainly for bad weather as it keeps you dry leaving the van to get in the awning, I don’t normally bother attaching the awning to the van in hot weather tbh. Also it’s not that difficult reattaching, can always get some marker pegs to get the van wheels in the exact position every-time. Have a play about you’ll get the hang of it.

 

[Gazbibelots1860]

Thanks for this.

I think I’ve tried all this, it’s stayed put the rest of the week thanks I think to using the front and rear awning straps over the van (the leakiness is definitely still an issue though). I think the other issue is the strip on the Vango Galli is longer than the wind out awning on a Cali so there’s spare hanging out both ends.

I found these which could help in future https://www.vango.co.uk/awning-rail-stoppers

Re. Winding out awning and winding back for tension, I’m doing that but I find if it’s wound in all the way the sliding door catches all the time on the figure of 8 strips, so much so it’s hard to open and close the door so I have to have it wound out a touch

 

[dspuk]

Thanks for this.

I think I’ve tried all this, it’s stayed put the rest of the week thanks I think to using the front and rear awning straps over the van (the leakiness is definitely still an issue though). I think the other issue is the strip on the Vango Galli is longer than the wind out awning on a Cali so there’s spare hanging out both ends.

I found these which could help in future https://www.vango.co.uk/awning-rail-stoppers

Re. Winding out awning and winding back for tension, I’m doing that but I find if it’s wound in all the way the sliding door catches all the time on the figure of 8 strips, so much so it’s hard to open and close the door so I have to have it wound out a touch

Don't wind it in all the way. Ours also is longer, still not an issue. When pulling your strip in is it tight to get in or loose? Should be a tight fit in the groove.

Photos?

 

[Ghostbuster]

I watched someone trying to re-dock to their driveway awning last year and it looked more stressful and relationship taxing than trying to moor a boat.

Having taken our awning out for the first time a few weeks ago I agree I found it much easier mooring our 57ft narrow boat than fixing an awning to a Cali.
Also, like my narrow boat I had an audience watching me make a fool of myself including the point where I did a spectacular trip and fall ( I still have the bruises so fully initiated now I think)?
I asked on another thread what could I have done wrong but maybe didn’t explain myself well, hence no replies?
The Kador strip tended to slide in the figure of eight channel towards the front of the van and the whole awning set up seemed too taught at the base?
One of the inflatable awning beams was bent at an angle near the floor I noticed and I couldn’t get the crease out.
In hindsight I wish I had taken some photos.
It took me hours to erect unlike the Attwolls video where they did it in a matter of minutes.
My awning is a Vango Tolga. Quite a small awning.

 

[Aubisque]

I just wrap a bit of insulating tape around the kador/figure of eight if windy, stops the plastic moving.

 

[dspuk]

If it is any help, here is how I do it (@Ghostbuster we have the same tent). It takes me about 20 minutes. This is predicated on having the right strip - there are differing sizes and some will be smaller than the groove - meaning they will leak! The strip and figure of 8 has to be the exact right size for your awning and the tent. I am saying tent to differentiate from the wind out awning.

First I pick exactly where I want the van to face. It needs to be a spot we can easily drive in and out, facing the right direction for noise, the right spot on a pitch if hardstanding and level. The van is the immovable part - the awning should always be moved to match the van. It feels a lot of people are putting these things up semi separately and then trying to get a kador strip to make up any deficit or alignment issue.

Park the van. Check you are happy.

Then wind out the awning about 3 or 4 inches. Leave the winder in.

Then start on the tent.

Lay the tent out the right alignment, but DO NOT PEG ANYTHING.

Inflate all the poles - we have the two inners beam ones and two long ones that go between the beams. Roughly get the tent in the right place in orientation to the van. The tent can move side to side to the van - but they tend to sit about in the middle. Put it in the middle if so. For us that is the front pf the tent half covering the drivers door. Others will be different. Generally they will also line up to the awning. Still DON'T peg anything.

Then attach the Kador strip. We put it in the awning groove first and then slide the figures of 8 (FO8) along. The strip is longer than the awning. You can cut them down. We have not bothered. Same with the FO8. Never been an issue.

You should now have a tent that is not pegged and movable, in the right position relative to the van and connected by the FO8.

Then we position and peg out the four tent corners. To do this we use our eyes to ensure the tent is upright, not pulling in any way but the part that attaches to the van via the kador is taught- ish. Not super tight. Not super loose. The 3 - 4 inches you wound out will be used to pull this tight.

Double check everything is positioned ok and then peg the base and guy ropes out.

Once this is done, check everything again and now tighten up the awning. It should stick out still about 1" when tight - this is the inch the sliding door needs to not foul the tent.

The last step is to then peg out the side access. Voila. That's it. Once you realise the key is to accept the van does not move but the tent can any way you like, it's just a case of putting the tent up, lining it up and pegging it out.

When driving away we put a peg in floor next to the two wheels nearest the awning. In the middle of the wheel, almost touching the sidewall. Then just pull out the strip in one move and store in the tent. Remember to wind the awning back in that inch before driving off and store the handle.

When coming back line up to the pegs and drive in, stopping when the wheels are in the middle of the pegs. Then wind out the awning 3 - 4", reattach the strip, wind back in, leaving 1" out.

Hopefully this is clearer than mud and helps those who are having challenges.

 

[Ghostbuster]

If it is any help, here is how ………..

Brilliant!
Exactly what I needed, many thanks.
It is this pulling to the side we experienced. It now makes so much more sense and I will follow your instructions next time out.

 

[dspuk]

Brilliant!
Exactly what I needed, many thanks.
It is this pulling to the side we experienced. It now makes so much more sense and I will follow your instructions next time out.

View attachment 136737

Yeah, that looks twisted and the wind out awning wound in too far - an inch should give you the space.

 

[Wish]

Brilliant!
Exactly what I needed, many thanks.
It is this pulling to the side we experienced. It now makes so much more sense and I will follow your instructions next time out.

View attachment 136737

So… we’ve just come back from Devon… decided we need a drive away awning as opposed to the “fixed” awning we already have… is this the most compact setup? and could you give me details of the bits n bobs I would need to ensure we are fully covered - thank you for your time and patience as always

 

[Ghostbuster]

So… we’ve just come back from Devon… decided we need a drive away awning as opposed to the “fixed” awning we already have… is this the most compact setup? and could you give me details of the bits n bobs I would need to ensure we are fully covered - thank you for your time and patience as always

The Tolga awing I have is compact however no longer a current model. Although new, I got mine from a well known buying and selling site at a discount price.
The only other thing I purchased is the strip in my photo.
I’m sure someone will come along soon with other option?

 

[dspuk]

The Tolga awing I have is compact however no longer a current model. Although new, I got mine from a well known buying and selling site at a discount price.
The only other thing I purchased is the strip in my photo.
I’m sure someone will come along soon with other option?

View attachment 136738

All you need. We got a carpet as well for the inside, brands own, but that is optional. We got the Tolga specifically because it was one of the most compact.

 

[Luke Sharp]

Very interesting post. Did a 2 day shake down run in April, then recently went to the (very windy) east coast of Scotland for 11 days.

Likewise, the Kardor strip had shaken itself out after 2 days due to the incessant wind. We had clothes pegs so an easy fix, but will look for the kador strip clamps.

But two real problems we had; (and sorry if I am hijacking the original post)

Wound the Cali awning out 100mm or so, attached the awning, then wound back in to tension. But within 48 hours everything was loose again & flapping about? And still not sure what the idea is with VW awning & door clearance?

Weather was dry so can’t comment on rain ingress, but how on earth do you seal the front & rear vertical connections? By the time we left, again everything was flappping about it the breeze (gale)!

 

[dspuk]

Very interesting post. Did a 2 day shake down run in April, then recently went to the (very windy) east coast of Scotland for 11 days.

Likewise, the Kardor strip had shaken itself out after 2 days due to the incessant wind. We had clothes pegs so an easy fix, but will look for the kador strip clamps.

But two real problems we had; (and sorry if I am hijacking the original post)

Wound the Cali awning out 100mm or so, attached the awning, then wound back in to tension. But within 48 hours everything was loose again & flapping about? And still not sure what the idea is with VW awning & door clearance?

Weather was dry so can’t comment on rain ingress, but how on earth do you seal the front & rear vertical connections? By the time we left, again everything was flappping about it the breeze (gale)!

By seal do you mean the “side” access to the awning?

You don't, they don't seal. You peg them out and if the wind is too much they will flap a lot, as happened to us in Bude last year. By morning the whole thing had moved and blown about like one of those wind things at a car dealers.

They not mean to be stormproof really, certainly not to the extent of some of our british weather.

If we get to a site now and it’s blowing a proper gale we don’t use it.

 

[WEHILL@SONS]

I barely use the drive-away awning nowadays, too much of a faff if only staying a day of two. Much better is using the wind-out and fitting sides, it’s not so private but it all packs away quickly.

 

[dspuk]

I barely use the drive-away awning nowadays, too much of a faff if only staying a day of two. Much better is using the wind-out and fitting sides, it’s not so private but it all packs away quickly.

We'd agree. If we only staying a day, we never bother. When we doing a "tour" or 10 days or so we take, but if not at site for 2 or more nights AND it's not blowing a gale, we just throw into our pop up tent. Our full setup, when staying and not windy is the below.

We bought the fitting sides but never actually used.