Dometic Air Awning advice please

[Simonnsj]

We are thinking of getting a Dometic Air Awning for our Hymer B544 and wondered if anyone has any experience with them as to whether they are any good or not.....? The model we are looking at is the 390S (2.5M deep) which retails circa £1200 ish.
Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[scotjimland]

air awnings in general are bulky and heavy... where would you store it in a B544 ?
i had one and sold it for that reason

 

[Simonnsj]

air awnings in general are bulky and heavy... where would you store it in a B544 ?
i had one and sold it for that reason

We have a very large side locker which it will fit into fortunately but understand they are heavy and bulky - we have quite a good payload as the van is plated at 4250kg and weighs in at just over 3500kg with everything removed from the lockers (but with kitchen items still in!) so good for a 6.55m A Class.

 

[Just smiffy]

We have a very large side locker which it will fit into fortunately but understand they are heavy and bulky - we have quite a good payload as the van is plated at 4250kg and weighs in at just over 3500kg with everything removed from the lockers (but with kitchen items still in!) so good for a 6.55m A Class.

There are many “only used once” for sale and a few on the classifieds advert on this forum, if you intend to stay still for at least 3-4 days then you might use it. If you stay on sites for a week or more then they do give you extra space…

I would have one if I stayed on a site in Spain for the winter…

 

[Just smiffy]

Ohh, and they do fit in the large locker as I had the same van as you….

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Simonnsj]

There are many “only used once” for sale and a few on the classifieds advert on this forum, if you intend to stay still for at least 3-4 days then you might use it. If you stay on sites for a week or more then they do give you extra space…

I would have one if I stayed on a site in Spain for the winter…

I've been keeping an eye on Ebay as there are many coming up for sale especially with someone calling themselves awningrefresh. I know awnings are not worth using unless you are pitched up for a min of 3-4 days as you've mentioned but we are returning to Spain at the end of the year for a few months hence the need for one as they make perfect sense being static for a period of time.

 

[Just smiffy]

Then one is perfect for Spain, I would go for a second hand one as the Spanish sun does bleach them, I see them around £300-£400 but it depends on the model and which fits…

They do come up regularly though so you may get one before next winter or put a “wanted” in the classifieds as that may jog someone into selling theirs…

 

[Simonnsj]

Then one is perfect for Spain, I would go for a second hand one as the Spanish sun does bleach them, I see them around £300-£400 but it depends on the model and which fits…

They do come up regularly though so you may get one before next winter or put a “wanted” in the classifieds as that may jog someone into selling theirs…

Sounds like a good idea - we would like one sooner so we can get to use it. My one query was our awning height is approx 260cm so the 390S will work as it is suitable for awnings from 235cm to 265cm. However, we have levelling jacks and sometimes it can raise the front of the motorhome in excess of the 265cm max fitting height for the 390S so I may need to speak to a Dometic dealer to establish the correct size required.

 

[GrahamnSue]

Our awning height is 260cm the same as yours. If you are on a sloping pitch using levelling blocks/jacks you open a zip on the side of the awning which releases more material to reach the ground.

We went for the Club Airpro 260S model which while only 260cm wide, is 275cm deep and because of the shape has more headroom at the front of the awning.
We went for that model so that it left our garage on the outside and to keep the weight down. They are heavy and need a pair of steps to slide the awning into the slot on the awning rail. We tried winding the awning out and fitting it from the ground but then found the awning wouldn't retract into the cassette due to the weight pulling downwards.

I would recommend going to see them at a dealer to be sure you are getting the best one for you (you can't have them modified later like you could with the caravan type awnings).

We would probably never use ours when touring but they are ideal in Spain in the winter.

 

[Simonnsj]

Our awning height is 260cm the same as yours. If you are on a sloping pitch using levelling blocks/jacks you open a zip on the side of the awning which releases more material to reach the ground.

We went for the Club Airpro 260S model which while only 260cm wide, is 275cm deep and because of the shape has more headroom at the front of the awning.
We went for that model so that it left our garage on the outside and to keep the weight down. They are heavy and need a pair of steps to slide the awning into the slot on the awning rail. We tried winding the awning out and fitting it from the ground but then found the awning wouldn't retract into the cassette due to the weight pulling downwards.

I would recommend going to see them at a dealer to be sure you are getting the best one for you (you can't have them modified later like you could with the caravan type awnings).

We would probably never use ours when touring but they are ideal in Spain in the winter.

Sound advice - thanks.

We did get a prompt email reply from a company Purely Outdoors who were very helpful and recommended we go for the 390M which would give extra material in case the jacks lifted the MH too high...

I'm glad you mentioned having to use steps - I assumed we would be able to lower the wind out awning low enough to thread the awning through and then retract it but given the fact it will be 3.9m wide it sounds like we'll have problems unless we carry a small pair of steps!

I will take your recommendation and visit a dealer before making a purchase so we can at least make an informed decision.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my query.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gpat]

I didnt like ours at first. Couldnt be bothered struggling with the weight and the hassle of getting it down again.

However we have persevered with it and now we have the hang of it it's not an issue. Just get it out of the bag a blow it up. Just give it a shuffle now and again and it rises up. On the deflate again just pull out the plugs a d leave it 10 mins. Roll it up.

Min 2 day stay applies.

Best bit is the drive away aspect. Its solid even when not attached to the van.

 

[Simonnsj]

I didnt like ours at first. Couldnt be bothered struggling with the weight and the hassle of getting it down again.

However we have persevered with it and now we have the hang of it it's not an issue. Just get it out of the bag a blow it up. Just give it a shuffle now and again and it rises up. On the deflate again just pull out the plugs a d leave it 10 mins. Roll it up.

Min 2 day stay applies.

Best bit is the drive away aspect. Its solid even when not attached to the van.

Do you carry steps with you to thread it onto the awning or don't you have to do that with the driveaway type?

 

[gpat]

I can just reach it. Remember you can wind your awning out to meet the dometic awnings bead. You need the break off kit. You connect it then wind the van awning back in.

I'd you dont have a wind out awning there are ropes that you can throw over the van.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[robnchris]

Our awning height is 260cm the same as yours. If you are on a sloping pitch using levelling blocks/jacks you open a zip on the side of the awning which releases more material to reach the ground.

We went for the Club Airpro 260S model which while only 260cm wide, is 275cm deep and because of the shape has more headroom at the front of the awning.
We went for that model so that it left our garage on the outside and to keep the weight down. They are heavy and need a pair of steps to slide the awning into the slot on the awning rail. We tried winding the awning out and fitting it from the ground but then found the awning wouldn't retract into the cassette due to the weight pulling downwards.

I would recommend going to see them at a dealer to be sure you are getting the best one for you (you can't have them modified later like you could with the caravan type awnings).

We would probably never use ours when touring but they are ideal in Spain in the winter.

You can halfway inflate them to take the weight off the awning when winding back in, otherwise you will put too much strain on the wind out arms.

 

[gpat]

You can halfway inflate them to take the weight off the awning when winding back in, otherwise you will put too much strain on the wind out arms.

Yes that's true. I don't put any strain on the wind out awning at all. Fully inflate the inflatable, then roll out the wind out. Attach the flap and wind it back in again.

Mist videos show that you attach the inflatable awning early on but I don't and the guys that take them round the shows don't either.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Simonnsj]

I can just reach it. Remember you can wind your awning out to meet the dometic awnings bead. You need the break off kit. You connect it then wind the van awning back in.

I'd you dont have a wind out awning there are ropes that you can throw over the van.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the info very helpful

 

[BobbyJ]

Agreed. Very useful. We were only discussing a long term winter in Spain yesterday. the addition of an awning was a probable must. The which, what and how is next, especially where to carry it. Thanks for great info.