Pros & cons of air or pole drive away awnings?

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We want to get a new awning & would appreciate feedback from you expert motorhomers. Air or pole?
 
Think it is Poles then? The decent Inflatable awnings run at twice the price of the pole ones generally.

The Khyam Motordomes are pole based and pretty easy to erect (but physically more demanding than the inflatables). Expect to be able to pick one up in a Christmas sale if you get in early enough.
Maybe used bargains for either people selling at end of season as well?
 
Another thing you need to think about is the weight of pole v air awnings. Air are heavier, which can be a problem if you are short of payload
 
If you are on a budget then it has to be pole as the air ones are considerably more expensive.
 
Ive only experienced an air type, quick to put up and easy to get down, fits quite snugly to the van and adjusts for height but ive never used the ‘drive away’ capability. Ive seen folk erecting the pole type and it’s definitely a pain especially in poor weather. I think mine is a vango but cannt remember as i havent used it on this van as the slot for sliding it into is inside the awning rail , I’m glad i went blow up.
 
Freestanding Garden Gazebo.

Much cheaper, much lighter, much easier to put up and take down. It can be used with or without the sides, which are attached with velcro.
 
yup Garden Gazebo .... and you get the opportunity to try all the latest models as well :) (as they are generally so flimsy they break in the slightest wind and you will need to keep buying them!)
I have lost count of the number of those cheap gazebos I have seen collapsed at Shows and Festivals I go to. False Economy (although it is handy as I do like to pillage the legs to provide extra windbreak uprights for my own Heavy Duty Gazebo ;) )

If you are looking for a decent sized, decent priced Awning/Tent/Gazebo/Marquee which goes up quickly and is pretty robust, then the Quest Screenhouse is a good product. I have the "6" version (around 3M x 3M) and it takes just a few minutes to pop up and tear down. Have to peg it down in wind of course. Last time I used it was at a C&CC Rally and it was a very windy weekend - needed pegging down at base, half-way AND top. Downside is they require a 6 foot long storage area so not suitable for all vans to transport.
 
I must have bought a good one then ...... had it about 7 or 8 years. It looks its age now but would have been OK until we downsize. Unfortunately our family has increased by 2 and I will need to keep on passing Medicals so as to hang on to the big'un. A new Gazebo will be required. :confused:
 
We have a pole and canvas Isabella awning (thanks to Biggarmac). We have got pretty quick at erecting and dismantling - less than 30 mins, including laying floor and curtains. Other than lifting legs, where I do need a second person to save the strain on the frame, I can easily do it all solo.

It is very sturdy in winds and being canvas it breathes. We have driven away a number of times and got back in position without issue. Only negative is the weight.

I know air awnings are lighter and quicker but don’t rule out steel and canvas, it’s not much slower to erect - honest.
 
wildebus said:
Think it is Poles then? The decent Inflatable awnings run at twice the price of the pole ones generally.

The Khyam Motordomes are pole based and pretty easy to erect (but physically more demanding than the inflatables). Expect to be able to pick one up in a Christmas sale if you get in early enough.
Maybe used bargains for either people selling at end of season as well?
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. We have just picked up one of this years Vango inflatables price £600 for £245 on ebay. As new, used only once. So well pleased as our old pole one was getting a bit much for us to erect.
 
guerdeval said:
Ive only experienced an air type, quick to put up and easy to get down, fits quite snugly to the van and adjusts for height but ive never used the ‘drive away’ capability. Ive seen folk erecting the pole type and it’s definitely a pain especially in poor weather. I think mine is a vango but cannt remember as i havent used it on this van as the slot for sliding it into is inside the awning rail , I’m glad i went blow up.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Just got a 2018 Vango Idris 11 Tall for £245 of ebay. Well pleased as our old heavy pole one was getting too much for us.
 
Clunegapyears said:
We have a pole and canvas Isabella awning (thanks to Biggarmac). We have got pretty quick at erecting and dismantling - less than 30 mins, including laying floor and curtains. Other than lifting legs, where I do need a second person to save the strain on the frame, I can easily do it all solo.

It is very sturdy in winds and being canvas it breathes. We have driven away a number of times and got back in position without issue. Only negative is the weight.

I know air awnings are lighter and quicker but don’t rule out steel and canvas, it’s not much slower to erect - honest.
Click to expand...

Thank for that. Ours is an older canvas one & weighs a ton & I just haven't the strength now to help hubby get it up. Just got a 2018 Vango Air drive away off ebay for £245 (list £600) so well pleased.
 
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