The no-awning option

[quilkin]

I've a newly-converted van and have decided to try without an awning (for shade from sun, it might not be possible to park the right way round; if it's raining I'm happy to be inside the van). So I'm after a sturdy folding table with a hole for a parasol, to use instead. There are plenty of garden tables around, but most are very heavy and many include glass tops. I've found this table but it's pretty ugly and I don't need 4 seats. Has anyone else taken the option of no awning, and if so did you find a suitable table for a parasol? Or is there another reason for an awning that I don't know about?

 

[Steve and Denise]

Looking for something like @SteveandDenise have on their van - looks the same/similar to the one @mikebeaches has?
Does anyone have a link to where you can get them from?

Www.the-bus-shelter.com Ian & Jane a small company in Hull they can make any size

 

[Minxy]

There are lots of sun shades on Ebay of different types, colours, materials etc. The triangular ones are cheapest but they give very little shade, we've got a large rectangular one in our conservatory roof which works great for keeping the worst of the sun out but still allowing some light in but be aware when getting them that the sides have a 'curve' inwards so the overall size of the main part of the awning can be 30cm or more narrower than the stated sizes so go for a larger one than the actual size you need.

 

[Jason Scott]

Like anything, used with care I see no issue with a roll out awning. Recently we extended ours by only 1m to give us some protection from rain when getting in and out.

 

[EX51SSS]

View attachment 236424
You could try the Quest Pop up Gazebo. More useful than a roll out awning.

Just bought one.

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[Deneb]

We've never bothered with a roof mounted awning as I always find them to be in the wrong place when needed. Having a history of skin cancer though I need something, so we bought a pop-up beach shelter. Made by Quest and cost less than £50. Quite small and light when packed, and stows alongside the thermal screen cover on the overcab shelf, but large enough to accommodate and shelter two chairs when erected.

 

[Minxy]

https://www.seaflo-uk.com/21-metre-...h-hold-down-pegs-beach-sun-shelter-1067-p.asp

 

[Deneb]

That looks like it needs a separate tie down unless you carry the bulky base stand with you.

This is the one we have, held down by the weight of the chairs when you're in it. The frame is integral and folds/unfolds in seconds.

https://www.leisureoutlet.com/day-s...358-quest-summer-palace-instant-beach-shelter

Also has a UV rating, which is important to me

 

[mikebeaches]

Lidl have currently got a sun canopy on offer (07.06.18) for 19.99 including poles:

 

[Minxy]

Lidl have currently got a sun canopy on offer (07.06.18) for 19.99 including poles:

Looks a bit of a weird shape so not sure it would fit to the side of a camper easily ...

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[Wombles]

Lidl have currently got a sun canopy on offer (07.06.18) for 19.99 including poles:

Good spot - comes with 3 year warranty too

 

[mikebeaches]

Looks a bit of a weird shape so not sure it would fit to the side of a camper easily ...

I agree the shape is a little unusual, but I reckon I could rig it on to our van without any trouble, to make a useful sun shade.

What I do have is a compact folding aluminium step - which can be seen in the original photo I posted - so it's easy to reach up to hook the shelter on to the van.

 

[Minxy]

I agree the shape is a little unusual, but I reckon I could rig it on to our van without any trouble, to make a useful sun shade.

I suppose you could put 2 more rings in it for the poles further to the centre and let the 2 original end become side flaps to give some side protection too, the original rings could then be used to secure it at the sides.

 

[Wombles]

This is the expensive Isabella option that we considered https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/fly-sheet-style-sun-shade.174996/page-2#post-2831477

but being designed for caravans the extension poles to make it higher would make it even dearer.

 

[DangerMousy]

We use a Decathlon Tarp £30
<Broken link removed>

It comes with 6 guying points already attached - you could use 2 or 3 of these to attach hooks to if you've got a rail along the top of your van (we don't, so we stuck a length of awning rail on the side of the MH and sewed a length of kador strip on to the awning instead). The supplied poles are 1.8m and are just about ok, but we've replaced them with a set of Vango King Poles that extend up to 220cm

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[Wombles]

Decathlon do it in khaki too at £19.99 but not sure if it includes any poles at that lower price. 2 year guarantee on Decathlon products.

<Broken link removed>

 

[mikebeaches]

Decathlon do it in khaki too at £19.99 but not sure if it includes any poles at that lower price. 2 year guarantee on Decathlon products.

<Broken link removed>

Interesting, the text refers to '100% iron poles', but the images illustrate the tarp used with upturned walking poles?

I get the feeling it does come with 2 steel poles, but they are showing how it can be used as a sun shelter when hiking, without the need to carry the poles. The description includes weights with and without poles.

 

[Minxy]

Interesting, the text refers to '100% iron poles', but the images illustrate the tarp used with upturned walking poles?

I get the feeling it does come with 2 steel poles, but they are showing how it can be used as a sun shelter when hiking, without the need to carry the poles. The description includes weights with and without poles.

Poles included - see East of Use:

 

[Wombles]

Decathlon listings aren't always accurate but their aftersales for returns & warranty issues is very good, cheap to fair prices & some interesting products too.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Here is the rail I used

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[Daisy501]

Quest also do a 6 sided one if the one above is a little small...https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/quest-leisure-instant-pop-up-gazebo-with-sides
[Wall blinds are also available if you want more privacy/shelter]

I originally also thought a parasol would be sufficient for this solo but actually, although it gives some shade, it's not that practical nor effective.

The gazebo option gives you a lot more flexibility & choice when it comes to picking chairs & tables for comfort - as well as shelter etc.

Hello everyone. New(ish) member here planning our second summer of motorhoming fun. We did the sensible thing for us, and bought a quest pop up gazebo instead of a zip on safari/privacy room. Having had it delivered and put it up to check it over, I am amazed at how big it is (and we measured it out with newspaper to get a sense of scale!!)

My question to you friendly and helpful folk is... given that it is the 6 sided version, have you ever had sites say that it was too big and not allowed it to be used. We tend to go for sites with allocated pitches, flanked with hedges etc?

Thanks in advance.

T&J and 2yr old William x

 

[Wombles]

Hello everyone. New(ish) member here planning our second summer of motorhoming fun. We did the sensible thing for us, and bought a quest pop up gazebo instead of a zip on safari/privacy room. Having had it delivered and put it up to check it over, I am amazed at how big it is (and we measured it out with newspaper to get a sense of scale!!)

My question to you friendly and helpful folk is... given that it is the 6 sided version, have you ever had sites say that it was too big and not allowed it to be used. We tend to go for sites with allocated pitches, flanked with hedges etc?

Thanks in advance.

T&J and 2yr old William x

Hi & welcome! Know some sites don't allow gazebos & Quest screen mesh houses may or may not be included with this plus some will charge more but why not try some Fun rallies as great rally camping rates & plenty of Quest shelters in use at no extra cost See "Rallies" at the top of this web page.

 

[Daisy501]

Top tip, thanks!

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Never bothered with an awning -- just embrace the elements. If you want to keep the sun off, this is a much cheaper option

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=173333116257

 

[Minxy]

Here is the rail I used

... why have you got a camel in your garage????

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[BwB]

We've had the Decathlon tarp for our PVC for a couple of years and it's very easy to put up and when taken down is a very small package (compared to the inflatable awning we used to have). However, we've only used it twice in that time but it's small enough to keep in the boot just in case

 

[cruiser]

We got one from the Norwich camping shop. We liked @SteveandDenise idea and got one. Have not tried it yet. But it looks like it will do the job.

 

[DL42846]

We are on our third van and have had roll out awnings on all of them. The last van didn't have one so we had one fitted. I think it depends on your camping style and where you go. We are in France and during the summer months you need something substantial to give you a bit of shade. Also when it rains you need an awning that can take a good down pour. I have never had any problems with roll out awnings and wouldn't be without one. Quick and easy to pull out and fold away

 

[Deneb]

But your photo actually confirms why I haven't got one, and prefer to use a portable beach shelter. Unless you can glue yourself to the side of your van about 4 feet from the ground, there's absolutely no useable shade under your canopy whatsoever in that photo I appreciate that you could keep moving the van around as the day progresses

 

[tomm]

Am considering removing the wind out awning in its entirety. Never used it on this van and probably used the awning on our previous van about half a dozen times in 7 years of ownership.

Was at a meet a few weeks ago and it got a bit breezy with the wind gusting. Nearly everyone who had their wind out out awnings in use reeled them in , as they were banging and clattering against the aluminium roof supports . A lot of other vans had the quest type sunshade pop ups in use. Not one that I could see was in any danger of blowing away or damaging the vans .They all looked solidly grounded , even with the full nylon sides attached . No one took the pop ups in .

Might go the way of getting one of the quest type shelters , as it does seem like possibly more campsites etc are accepting them . Save a bit of weight on the payload as well albeit not a lot , maybe save 15kg or so .

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[obanvanman]

We got rid of our awning, omnistor 8000 which weighed according to their website 51kg two years ago and have never regretted it.
Bought the smaller four sided quest for longer stays and a big parasol and plastic base that is filled with water for shade.