Which Air awning?

[timmariageb]

Hi there, new member here! Myself (Tim), my wife (Maria) and my mother (Geb) have recently downsize from a small motorhome to a T6 camper. My wife and I had our first trip away in it over the weekend and loved it. We are outdoorsy people, and given we have a dog, an extra space is probably going to bee necessary. My mum travels in it alone mainly, so wants an air awning so she doesn't have to faff with poles, and Maria and I are happy with that.

I've had a look at the options on the market and have whittled in down to the Vango Cove Air 2 and the Vango Hexaway. If anybody has bought either, and has any advice on what they're like to erect in the wind, or if we have missed a better option, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Tim, Maria & Geb

 

[Super-G]

Following this, as we have recently seen the Vango Cove Air 2 and interested in others opinions on it.

 

[Nigel W]

We have a Hexaway and it’s brilliant, however it’s very big and we consider it to be more of a conservatory for family use because it is so tall and spacious.
if your mum is travelling solo then she may struggle with it as it is heavy and takes a fair bit of pulling around to get it positioned correctly especially on uneven ground.
Because of all the windows it isn’t really ideal for sleeping in but on a rainy day it’s brilliant for sitting in and socialising.
if you are downsizing from a motor home you would really appreciate the extra ‘room’ this gives you.
I know you say you don’t want to faff with poles but don’t discount the Khyam motordome too quickly, their system of fixed poles which go up like an umbrella is as quick and easy as air beams, some say quicker!
I'm afraid there is no perfect awning and I bet after the first year you will end up with more than one! Currently I think I have three and we love them all but for different reasons and situations.

 

[timmariageb]

We have a Hexaway and it’s brilliant, however it’s very big and we consider it to be more of a conservatory for family use because it is so tall and spacious.
if your mum is travelling solo then she may struggle with it as it is heavy and takes a fair bit of pulling around to get it positioned correctly especially on uneven ground.
Because of all the windows it isn’t really ideal for sleeping in but on a rainy day it’s brilliant for sitting in and socialising.
if you are downsizing from a motor home you would really appreciate the extra ‘room’ this gives you.
I know you say you don’t want to faff with poles but don’t discount the Khyam motordome too quickly, their system of fixed poles which go up like an umbrella is as quick and easy as air beams, some say quicker!
I'm afraid there is no perfect awning and I bet after the first year you will end up with more than one! Currently I think I have three and we love them all but for different reasons and situations.

Great info, thank you. Hexaway may not be quite what we are after, you've confirmed my suspicions there. Will definitely look up the Khyam, thank you!

 

[little-missmagic]

Our T6 is arriving on Wednesday (only 2 sleeps). We've also been looking for an air awning and I like the look of the Vango Kela V Air Low, there's the option to have a pop up bedroom in there as a changing room or to use as an additional bedroom if my son decides to come camping with us.

I hope you find a suitable awning and I'll be posting some pics of our new van on Wednesday no doubt.

Thank you.

 

[VanDamMan]

Hi all…We did a while back look at awning /tents at local camping outlets to enable us to see what fits…however those days of having large display areas seemed to have gone due to supply issues and I have made losses on selling used tents as out needs changed…Advice… don’t look at the now ..look at the future…look at how the awning will work for you …high temperature. Extremes of weather and things like my van is lowered will impact how it works…can it be extended…ease of setup…and size matter.
The season is almost over and new models will arrive next year…if you can wait early next year at the NEC is the big camping and caravan show…lots of help ..but do your homework ask loads of questions…a good tent/awning is an investment in the joys of van camping …
ps ..Watch the setup videos with a pinch of salt….air beams are a lot easier with an electric pump ( but that needs power )

 

[Bunty]

Hi guys,

After years of use of our camper shop bandit I think it’s time to retire it and get something bigger , and with air beam.

We have a 6.1 and two young children so need a bit more space. We do have a pop top and the little ones sleep for some of the night up there but maybe we should consider an awning that can take a bedroom or two as well .

Any recommendations?

Thank you.

 

[Gavinsky23]

We have 2 young kids and a dog. We got the vango galli which we’ve got 2 bedrooms we can put up in it.

It’s great and loads of space. Kids haven’t slept in it yet but I’m sure will when they are a bit older. It is a big bag (though to be expected for the size of the awning) and is usually the last in/first out when we are away.

 

[Bunty]

Hi,
That’s the one that seems top of my list…. And the most expensive!
Is the galli 3 low the one to get? I’m not sure what the difference between galli 2 and galli 3 is?

 

[Gavinsky23]

Hi,
That’s the one that seems top of my list…. And the most expensive!
Is the galli 3 low the one to get? I’m not sure what the difference between galli 2 and galli 3 is?

It’s a galli 2 I’ve got, managed to pick it up from someone who’d only used it once and had carpet, bedrooms, footprint etc. I remeber loooking it up and don’t think there is a big difference between 2 and 3 but can remeber what changed. It’s definitely the low one you’d want.

 

[Bunty]

Oh i see the two is just the older version,
Sounds like a galli is the one to get then

 

[GtiOli]

I’ve been looking as got a new van but setup is the same with Pop top and 2 kids. I have looked at the Galli and the size looks perfect, but am going to go for the Outdoor Revolution movelite T4e which is similar but has options to add a zip in annex at the back for the kids, door to the side and many other options. Attwolls have a really good video of it.

 

[Bunty]

Oh thank you, I will have a look at that one !

 

[Loz]

I assume you looked at this thread?

Awning Gallery And Poll

In keeping with the other gallery information topics, here is one for Awnings. Please post a picture of your awning and include the following information if you can; Make and model (Bold and Font size 6) approx cost suppliers list any extras in your photo. {Photo of awning} As usual, we'll...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Bunty]

I had but i presumed that it was a bit out of date as the galli 3 said 2019 but I guess not!
It seems the galli is the one- and I guess you get what you pay for, I’m just struggling with £1000+ for an awning!

 

[Loz]

All this stuff has doubled in price over the last 5 years.

 

[Bunty]

Wow, I guess I can look secondhand but even then they still seem a lot for a used one

 

[Gavinsky23]

Wow, I guess I can look secondhand but even then they still seem a lot for a used one

Yes, when I was loooking 2nd hand ones tended to have everything - carpet, footprint, bedrooms, drive away kit etc. these all add up quite a bit too so worth bearing that in mind if you are comparing used v new.

 

[Bunty]

What sort of price would you pay for a used galli 3 ? There seem a couple about but I’m not sure what’s a good price and what’s not as they all seem expensive to me!

 

[Ali-G]

Sold - Vango AirWay Galli 2 Low

No longer needed due to caravan purchase Vango Air Away Galli 2 Low with a few extras x 2 inner bedroom tents Skyliner Footprint ground sheet Vango Insulated Carpet Pump and pegs £500 Located Tidworth SP9

www.t6forum.com