As an avid camper, you may find that there are times during your camping trip that you wish you could stay at your campsite for longer. This may be because you’ve enjoyed your time so much that you’re not ready to go home just yet. If you find yourself feeling like this quite often, then you should consider seasonal pitching. This is where you set up your caravan/ awning/ tent for a longer period of time. Many campsites have a number of spaces available for seasonal pitching. This means that your touring caravan can be left in the same spot all summer or even all year. By doing this, the owners are able to visit any time they want.
However, if you’re planning to use an awning during this extended stay, it’s important you purchase one that has been designed for use in all weather conditions, as seasonal pitching means that your awning will stay there through different weather conditions. In this blog post, I will explain some of the things to look for when selecting an awning for seasonal pitching, as well as suggest some of my favourites.
I have looked at several air awnings that could be considered for seasonal pitching. After researching several, here are 4 that I recommend for various reasons:
| Air Awning Model | Width | Depth | Weight | Price | Rating out of 10 | Link to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390 | 390cm | 300cm | 28.56kg | £1,399.99 | 9 | campingworld.co.uk |
| Dometic Club Air All-Season 390 | 390cm | 275cm | 31.3kg | £1,874.99 | 10 | campingworld.co.uk |
| Dometic Rally Air Pro 330 | 330cm | 250cm | 28kg | £1,849.99 | 10 | campingworld.co.uk |
| Isabella Magnum Etna 400 | 250cm | 400cm | 32.23kg | £1,771.99 | 9 | winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk |
All prices are correct at the time of writing. If you do purchase an air awning using one of our links, we earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. Every purchase helps us if you like our recommendations.
Now I’ve gone over my recommendations, I’m going to look at each of them in more depth while also explaining why I’ve made the recommendations above. I’ll also explain the full criteria that I’ve judged these air awnings on.
In the blog post below, I will cover the following:
- Things to consider when selecting an awning for seasonal pitching
- Four of the best caravan awnings for seasonal pitching
Things to consider when selecting an awning for seasonal pitching
There are many things to consider when buying an air awning that is suitable for seasonal pitching. One of these these thing is the fabric. It is important to look for fabric that will perform well in all weathers and has good UV-resistance so its colours won’t fade in prolonged periods of sunshine. One way to tell that the quality of the awning is good is by the its weight. Usually, the better the quality, the heavier the awning will be. This is due to key features such as heavy duty zips along the awning.
This being said, it is also important to get an awning that is relatively simple to take down. This is because it’s important to be prepared to take down your seasonal pitch if the weather conditions turn really bad. Your budget is another thing to consider here. There are a number of extra features that you can get depending on your budget such as carpet, extra lighting and storage etc. You can also get items such as extra poles and storm kits or straps.
Four of the best caravan awnings for seasonal pitching
If seasonal pitching is something you want to try but are unsure of what air awning to purchase, then continue reading this blog post, where I will break down some of the key features of four of my personal favourite awnings that are all suitable for seasonal pitching.
Select the air awning you want to read about to be taken to the relevant information:
- Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390
- Dometic Club Air All-Season 390
- Dometic Rally Air Pro 330
- Isabella Magnum Etna 400
Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390
| Air Awning Model | Width | Depth | Weight | Price | Rating out of 10 | Link to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390 | 390cm | 300cm | 28.56kg | £1399.99 | 9 | campingworld.co.uk |
The Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390 is another particularly impressive air awning. Again, this is a very high-quality awning, making it perfect for seasonal pitching. The iconic Dometic fabric used extensively throughout the awning range has proven quality in diverse environments. With the look and feel of traditional fabric but weighing far less, Weathershield Pro continues to be the definitive choice for many caravan users, offering many notable qualities, including waterproofing and durability. The fabric is strong and built to last.
The Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390 awning uses the Single Point Inflation AIR Frame awnings, which inflates entirely from just one external inflation point, creating an exceptionally strong structure which ensures greater stability all year round. No matter how poor the weather is, you’ll have a stable awning that’s built to last. One of my favourite things about this awning is the number of useful features it includes, such as the heavy-duty Quick Pitch webbing straps that can be pegged out in seconds. It also has a Dual-Pitch Roof which increases headroom, ensures effective wind deflection and sheds rainwater. In addition to all this, it also has a Multi-Height System that ensures a precise fit for your vehicle.
This is one of the most impressive caravan awnings I have come to, which offers so many useful features in one awning. it is also reasonably priced when compared to some of the other awnings on the market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Weathershield Pro fabric is perfect for any environment. Single Point Inflation AIR Frame for a strong structure. Dual-Pitch Roof to shed rainwater. | The quality isn’t as good as the others mentioned in this blog post. However, the is the cheapest awning I’ve mentioned, so this is reflected in the price. |
You can purchase the Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390 air awning at Camping World. Find out more and buy today on the Camping World website.
Dometic Club Air All-Season 390
| Air Awning Model | Width | Depth | Weight | Price | Rating out of 10 | Link to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic Club Air All-Season 390 | 390cm | 275cm | 31.3kg | £1,874.99 | 10 | campingworld.co.uk |
The Dometic Club Air All-Season 390 is very similar to the previous Dometic air awning mentioned in this blog post, both in terms of its appearance and features. However, this Dometic Air All-Season 390 has even more incredible features to offer, hence the price difference. The iconic Dometic fabric used extensively throughout the awning range has proven quality in diverse environments. With the look and feel of traditional fabric but weighing far less, Weathershield Pro continues to be the definitive choice for tourers all over the world, offering many notable qualities, including waterproofing and durability. The fabric is strong and built to last.
The Dometic Club Air All-Season 390 awning uses the Single Point Inflation AIR Frame awnings, which inflate entirely from just one external inflation point, creating an exceptionally strong structure which ensures greater stability all year round. No matter how poor the weather is, you’ll have a stable awning that’s built to last.
As mentioned above, just like the previously listed Dometic Grande AIR Pro 390, this awning also has an impressive amount of useful features which includes, such as the heavy-duty Quick Pitch webbing straps that can be pegged out in seconds. It also has a Dual-Pitch Roof which increases headroom, ensures effective wind deflection and sheds rainwater. In addition to all this, it also has a Multi-Height System that ensures a precise fit to your vehicle. It also has an integral inflatable wet weather canopy with apex mesh ventilation, which improves comfort by increasing air circulation and reducing condensation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has Weathershield Pro fabric. The fabric is waterproof. It has a very strong Single Point Inflation AIR Frame. | N/A |
You can purchase the Dometic Club Air All-Season 390 air awning at Camping World. Find out more and buy today on the Camping World website.
Dometic Rally Air Pro 330
| Air Awning Model | Width | Depth | Weight | Price | Rating out of 10 | Link to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic Rally Air Pro 330 | 330cm | 250cm | 28kg | £1,849.99 | 10 | campingworld.co.uk |
This Rally Air Pro 330 model is perfect for leaving on-site for seasonal pitching. This model comes in at the top of the Rally Air Pro range and features a higher attaching height and cavernous interior, making the awning perfect for larger caravans. It offers a large and versatile space for your caravan which can be used to unwind with friends and family. It also had large windows allowing you to enjoy the view and allow light and air to enter the awning. There are also windows on the top of the awning, making it great was watching the stars at night.
The large adjustable connection tunnel can be fixed to your vehicle via a number of methods, including connection straps, the dual awning keder or by using an optional drive-away kit. Another impressive feature of this awning is that it has a single inflation point, meaning that the awning can be set up in a matter of minutes, with the option of using the manual pump included. it provides plenty of space for furniture and other equipment.
This Rally air is made from market-leading Weathershield Pro fabric to ensure a high-quality performance. It has ultra-rugged and UV resistant all-season material, perfect for touring in warmer climates and for use on a seasonal pitch. The fully breathable fabric is constructed to handle the extremes of weather and has been tested in the wettest regions of Europe and the sunniest parts of Australia to ensure it never lets you down. It also has fly screens in the right hand window and two side doors allow for added ventilation whilst keeping out unwanted insects. The front and side panels can be zipped out, allowing for an optional annexe or conservatory to be fitted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has a large adjustable connection tunnel. UV resistant all-season material. Has fly screens on windows and doors. | It is one of the most expensive awnings I’ve included, yet the size is quite small, which might not be worth it for some people. |
The Dometic Rally Air Pro 330 is available on Camping World. You can learn more about this particular air awning and purchase it here.
Isabella Magnum Etna 400
| Air Awning Model | Width | Depth | Weight | Price | Rating out of 10 | Link to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isabella Magnum Etna 400 | 250cm | 400cm | 32.23kg | £1,771.99 | 9 | winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk |
The Isabella Magnum Etna 400 is a touring-friendly awning that is quick and convenient to set up on the go. This particular awning is the larger in size which I have recommended in this blog post, delivering a versatile and sizeable 4-metre wide shelter beside your caravan. Another great feature of this awning is that it is made with Isacryl fabric that delivers super interior ambience and aesthetic look to your caravan. Not only does this caravan look great, but it also offers a CarbonX fibreglass frame with IsaFix locking clamp for robust support. The large-sized Isabella Magnum Etna 400 awning provides enough space for you to easily relax and enjoy in luxury.
I personally think the Isabella Magnum Etna 400 is one of the best awnings when it comes to seasonal pitches. This is because it has specially designed features such as the CarbonX fibreglass frame with IsaFix locking clamp. This allows the awning to remain stable even when the wind is strong, which means you can leave it up for longer periods of time and not have to worry about the weather being too windy and making it collapse. The table below outlines some of the pros and cons that I have found with this awning.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes a CarbonX fibreglass frame. Has IsaFix locking clamp, perfect for the wind. Large in size (400cm wide). Reasonable pricing. | It is made from UV-resistant polyester textile (better material is available to make it stronger). |
You can purchase the Isabella Magnum Etna 400 air awning at Winfields Outdoor. Find out more and buy today on the Winefields Outdoor website.