Drive Away Awning vs Tent

[pwilly]

I've got a Camperking Pursuit 4, which is classed as a day van - no kitchen - but has a poptop and pull out bed. I also have a Fiamma sun shade awning. I'm looking at drive away awnings and wondering if I need one??? I own a selection of tents and am struggling to see the benefit of the drive away awning over a standard tent, other than weather protection between the living space and van. Surely I could setup my fiamma and tent in such a way that this isn't an issue anyway? I'd appreciate any advice on anything I might be missing, or if anybody else uses a separate tent for the daytime living space... Thanks

 

[Kind of Blue]

If you are content with the way things are why spend the money on a change unless some great benefit to you is provided by that change. Might be better saving the money for something that is needed and more important to you.

 

[pwilly]

That's the thing. Not been away for an extended period yet, so not tried with a tent. Putting the feelers out for any opinions on either setup. Cheers

 

[JumpShip]

Drive aways are expensive for what they are compared to a tent so in my head just stick with what youve got .
The only potential issue that springs to mind is how you declare your unit to a campsite .
Some sites don't mix tents and campervans in the same area so you'll have to go with tenters...not a problem .
Because you have a pop top on your van some places may query if you have 2 'sleeping units' (that would be twice the price ) and may also mean they would want a fire break between the 2.
Quite easy if you just book yourself as a tent , camp with the tents and if anyone queries it then just show them your van is your kitchen and your tent is your bed. Simple.

 

[T6 Syd]

We have used both, but very rarely bother attaching the driveaway to the van when we do take that one. We sleep in the van and use the larger tent/awning for 'living'. We cook outside in the tent porch or using the awning tunnel as a porch with poles and guy ropes in place of attaching it to the van. We don't mind a gap or a walk between the van and the external accommodation.

As in the post above, we have heard that some campsites can be fussy about whether you have an awning or a tent and may charge differently, as well as the size. Our large tent for a week or more cannot pretend to be an awning so we make sure when booking that we will be OK using it and it will fit on the pitch with the van. If the site wants double payment we look for a site that doesn't!

 

[JumpShip]

I've known sites insist that for an 'awning' to be classed as such it must be attached otherwise it classed (and charged) as a separate unit.

Not every site is so anal , like you say if you just ask the question when booking there normally isn't a problem.