T
Traveller1977
- Messages
- 66
- Vehicle
- T5 SE 180
Looking for a replacement/upgrade drive away awning and advice on peoples set ups. Family of 4, 8 & 10yr olds, currently sleeping adult/child up and adult/child down.
We have had the original Kela I for a few years now, still in really really good condition overall, however very recently had to replace 2x main inner tubes and Brace beam where the rubber valve has perished.
It is a bulky piece to cart around, so we only tend to use it/take it when we think/know there will be rain (Europe usually don't take, UK we do) otherwise we just use the roll out awning for shade, a pop up tent to store the boxes/car boosters/toys/stuff and set up a tarp for additional Shelter if required.
We like the privacy the drive away awning gives, added space when the kids go to bed earlier than us, and it's handy when you need to drive away as it "Creates" the footprint at a busy campsite so you're not going to return with someone pitching in your space if the awning was not there (it has happened
)
Also like the integrated/sewn in groundsheet for again when the weather turns. We really only use it for when the weather is due to be wet/windy.
- Never really managed to master the Kado Strip/Figure-8 attachment to the roll out awning, it's never created a good enough seal between Vango Kela 1 awning and Roll out awning when it rains.
- We've started to use the straps that go all the way over the Cali, but again when it's windy/wet it tends to "lift up" slightly not creating a good seal. The roof bar tabs seems a good way to go, I've seen on the Gybe Bus Tent this can be separated to drive away, but does the new Kela V allow this as a drive-away option? I cannot see if from their Video, but I see it mentions it has Roof Bar Attachment Tabs now.
- Roof Bar Attachment Tabs could be a better seal, and we like the inflatable options, but with the price of the new Vango Airbeam Kela V now being over £550-600 or so, I like the idea of the Gybe Bustent, it looks like a genuine seal between van and awning, disadvantage is there is not a sewn in groundsheet so I imagine if it rains/is windy this area could get wet more easily?
What are your set ups/preferences please? we've had the cali approx 10yrs, and still playing around with/perfecting the drive away awning options I guess with the kids growing up this changes all the time. All advice really appreciated.
We have had the original Kela I for a few years now, still in really really good condition overall, however very recently had to replace 2x main inner tubes and Brace beam where the rubber valve has perished.
It is a bulky piece to cart around, so we only tend to use it/take it when we think/know there will be rain (Europe usually don't take, UK we do) otherwise we just use the roll out awning for shade, a pop up tent to store the boxes/car boosters/toys/stuff and set up a tarp for additional Shelter if required.
We like the privacy the drive away awning gives, added space when the kids go to bed earlier than us, and it's handy when you need to drive away as it "Creates" the footprint at a busy campsite so you're not going to return with someone pitching in your space if the awning was not there (it has happened
)Also like the integrated/sewn in groundsheet for again when the weather turns. We really only use it for when the weather is due to be wet/windy.
- Never really managed to master the Kado Strip/Figure-8 attachment to the roll out awning, it's never created a good enough seal between Vango Kela 1 awning and Roll out awning when it rains.
- We've started to use the straps that go all the way over the Cali, but again when it's windy/wet it tends to "lift up" slightly not creating a good seal. The roof bar tabs seems a good way to go, I've seen on the Gybe Bus Tent this can be separated to drive away, but does the new Kela V allow this as a drive-away option? I cannot see if from their Video, but I see it mentions it has Roof Bar Attachment Tabs now.
- Roof Bar Attachment Tabs could be a better seal, and we like the inflatable options, but with the price of the new Vango Airbeam Kela V now being over £550-600 or so, I like the idea of the Gybe Bustent, it looks like a genuine seal between van and awning, disadvantage is there is not a sewn in groundsheet so I imagine if it rains/is windy this area could get wet more easily?
What are your set ups/preferences please? we've had the cali approx 10yrs, and still playing around with/perfecting the drive away awning options
I guess with the kids growing up this changes all the time. All advice really appreciated.
