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Post by Pauline on May 22, 2006 9:08:53 GMT
I've directed this question towards Derek but would love to hear from anyone else with one. I noticed from your avatar Derek that you have an Avon Quick Tent and just wondered how you got on with it. We saw a Hylo with something similar, or it possibly was an actual 'AQT', at Hayfield, Derbyshire (wasn't you was it?!), but due to all the rain didn't get a chance for a chat or to ask what they thought. The framework on this particular one stayed on the van, does yours? Just wondered as we often get asked questions and would like to be well informed just in case! Thanks
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Post by Derek on May 22, 2006 20:21:09 GMT
We are very pleased with our Quicktent. The van end is supported by the van roof and the back held up by two poles. It is very quick to put up and take down and it can be erected by one person. Up in 10 mins, down in 10 mins including neat folding, down in 5 mins if it is raining! It is pretty basic but provides privacy, gives you somewhere for the dog bowls, muddy boots, wet towels, wet coats and wet dog. Peg count is 4 round the fitted ground sheet, 2 to hold the sleeve and 4 on the main guys. It weighs 3.9 Kilo with 2 poles and the porch poles weigh 1.3 Kilo.
We also have a freestanding Harrison Motor Porch awning. It is a one size, fits all, but mainly aimed at the coachbuilts with slab sides. It does however fit the Duo Hylo very well. The wife thinks it is wonderful as it has pretty curtains that match the ones that come with the van. It requires two people to put it up and has 25 pegs + 4 storm guys. It weighs about 19 Kilo.
The Harrison was the awning that we bought first and it is great for nesting into if you are in the same place for several days. It is however, like most tents and awnings, a pain to put up and take down. It also needs to be neatly folded as it has large windows. We plan to use the quicktent for overnight stops, if I get my way we will use it all the time! ;D
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Post by Pauline on May 23, 2006 15:35:17 GMT
Thanks for that Derek. I don't think the one we saw could have been the same as the frame was fixed to the van. Perhaps someone's own 'Heath Robinson' contraption. Your dog using your awning brings a whole new meaning to pup tent! Wonder who will win on the awning choice.........
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Post by Derek on May 23, 2006 19:49:02 GMT
I like the bit about pup tent I would hasten to add that dog does not sleep in the awning. She merely uses it for dining and having paws washed etc, before retiring to her bed, on the floor, in the van. The negotiations regarding which awning to use are reaching a delicate stage---- ----I heard the long term forecast for June is a heatwave--- ----I have put forward the argument that the Quicktent has a porch that can be used for shade ;D
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Post by Pauline on May 24, 2006 14:22:36 GMT
What a poppet, she looks adorable! Hope you are right about the heatwave, our summer hols are approaching and I feel the need to lie in the You certainly have the best of both worlds with the quick tent porch - sunshade or rain canopy!
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Post by viv on Jun 24, 2006 22:48:10 GMT
Hello everyone Can someone advise where I can get an Avon quick tent as it looks like it might be useful for us. I only want something that we can use to keep chairs, shoes etc at night and when we go off site for the day and I don't want a heavy awning or anything that I cannot manage on my own. any other ideas gratefully received.
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Post by Pauline on Jun 25, 2006 9:38:01 GMT
I think they are only available from Avon Motors in Bristol. Their link is: www.avonmotorcaravans.co.ukThere are photos on there and prices. I think it is 'Ant' who deals with the Quick Tent sales, but I'm sure anyone there would be glad to help. If you do get it touch with them perhaps you would be kind enough to mention that you found the info on smallmotorhome.co.uk, just so they know we are helping their sales!
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Post by moya on Jun 25, 2006 10:03:44 GMT
Hi Viv, I don't think you can leave the Avon Quick Tent as a freestanding one when you go off site but I could be wrong so better check. Have you looked at the Movelite driveaway awning?
We bought ours a couple of months ago from UKCS and it is great. The only thing is I don't know whether you would manage to put it up on your own, although it easy. It gives so much extra space and you can zip it up and leave on site.
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Post by Derek on Jun 26, 2006 18:46:09 GMT
Hi Viv As Moya and Pauline have answered, the Quick Tent is not free standing and is available from Avon Motor Caravans. The Movelite is a good choice for the Hylo but I am not sure it would be high enough for the Duo or Outlook as the back door is much higher on those models. It may be best to check. In our first season we used a Sunncamp Handy which is a utility/cooking tent (in the Argos book). It has a metal frame but one person could put it up, it is however easier with two. It was very easy to fold up, unlike the awnings with heavy material and plastic windows. This may be an option for you if you don't require the privacy that an awning gives. Here is the Argos link www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0194480.htmDerek
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Post by moya on Jun 26, 2006 19:27:42 GMT
Hi Viv, Just read Derek's post and I think he is right about the Movelite awning. Sorry to have misled you but I never thought about that. He is right the height is different on the Outlook so it most probably wouldn't be suitable. We can only fix ours on the ledge where the roof lifts up from as it isn't quite high enough to go over the top of the roof when it is popped up. Hope you get something suitable.
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Post by moya on Jun 27, 2006 20:15:17 GMT
Just to update on my previous message. Just been catching up on UKCS and noticed on this thread an Outlook owner who says the Movelite is a perfect fit. " We have just bought a Movilight Driveaway Awning (see offers) that fits on the back of our Romahome Outlook. It appears well constructed and is very easy to put up. It took about 20 minutes the first time on a nice dry still day. With careful positioning it is a good fit on the back of the van. Very easy to detach from the van and leave securely zipped up on site." Hope this is of help.
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Post by Derek on Jul 1, 2006 20:21:22 GMT
Hi Moya
I am glad you are so pleased with your Movelite awning. Sorry to cause a false alarm about the height it can fit. I think the sales blurb has 2.5m as max height (8' 2"). Our Hylo measures 7' 9" at the highest point so in theory it should fit. Possibly their fixing kit is required. The Duo and Outlook are 7' 6" at the highest point which must be the roof light so the back of the roof could be only 7' 3". The sleeve will probably go over that OK.
The Movelite looks a great little awning, I think we would have ended up with one if we had seen them when we were searching around.
Derek
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Post by viv on Jul 6, 2006 13:35:55 GMT
Thanks to all of you for all the advice. IN actual fact we have just returned from our first trip in our Outlook and I have to say that we did not need an awning at all this time!!!! I cannot believe how spacious the van feels and how much you can get in the overcab section, we managed to get nearly everything in there and hardly had to use the underseat areas. We found it easier to set up the beds than the Duetto and as you can only sit in one space at a time we did not miss the larger seat area or storage areas. However this trip was only for a couple of days, the weather was good and we were only stuck in the van for about 1 hour in the rain. We will still get an awning for longer trips and we will go for the movelite but we will definitely check that it does fit the van first.
Also just to add that I loved driving this vehicle and it is just like driving my car. We only saw 2 other Romahomes on the road and we travelled quite some distance. Will wave at any we see so wave back, as long as it is safe to do so of course!
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Post by moya on Jul 7, 2006 8:48:20 GMT
Hi Viv, So glad that you are enjoying your Romahome as much as we do ours. As you have said you don't see many others on your travels. When we have seen one I always wave frantically. So if you see one coming towards you with a female passenger waving like a lunatic - that person is me! We didn't have the awning on our first few outings either but now that we have got it we wouldn't be without it.
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Post by Pauline on Jul 10, 2006 7:41:45 GMT
When we have seen one I always wave frantically. So if you see one coming towards you with a female passenger waving like a lunatic - that person is me! Isn't it great when you get a 'proper' wave from someone rather than a half hearted flick of the fingers?! So Moya, if you get a lunatic wave back, then it's probably us!!
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Post by yamaha on Aug 25, 2006 12:55:13 GMT
Hi all Our latest eBay bargain arrived this morning - an Avon Quicktent. Haven't had a go at putting it up yet - but it's like brand new. 3 months old, and only trial assembled, all for £129 plus p&p. It does look very easy to assemble to the van - in fact, if anyone is interested, I've uploaded the instructions for you to peruse :- img204.imageshack.us/img204/804/avonquicktentqk1.jpgWill report back when we've had a closer butchers at it. Mike
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Post by Pauline on Aug 27, 2006 16:17:09 GMT
Can the Quick Tent only be used on a Hylo then? I'd assumed it fit Hytop's too. Sounds like you got a bargain - well done!
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Post by Derek on Aug 27, 2006 19:39:44 GMT
Can the Quick Tent only be used on a Hylo then? I'd assumed it fit Hytop's too. One model fits the Duo Hylo and this one fits the rest The roof is shallower to allow the higher door to open. I don't know how well it sheds the water. Having said that, the Caranex has a roof that is almost flat I think the original design was on a Duo Hylo. Derek
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Post by wendy on Aug 28, 2006 7:24:27 GMT
We had a Caranex a few years ago and the roof collected lots of water everytime it rained. It didn't leak, but you had to be careful how you pushed it all off so that you didn't push it into the gap between the car and tent!
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Post by Derek on Aug 28, 2006 9:07:54 GMT
Hi Wendy Bit like a shop blind when you clear the water by shoving it with a broom, if you get it right you can completely soak someone! We nearly bought a Caranex for the Hylo but I couldn't cope with all the sticky back velcro and limpets they suggest. Derek
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