Questions & answers about awnings, mattresses, and other things to make life on the road more comfortable. This section is for Bongo-specific kit only. No talk about backpacking tents here!
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digitalgypsy
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by digitalgypsy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:40 am
Hewwo Bongos.
I'm still deliberating about what awning to buy and it's come down to either a Fiamma or Quechua Base. Now I realise that technically a Quechua isn't an awning at all but at a tent. Does anyone know if it can in fact be used as awning, attached to the gutter of the Bongo? I'm sure you will tell me it it can only be placed against the Bongo. I would definitely opt for the Quechua but I use Camping & Caravan Club sites and I have a feeling they will be strict about the fact that it's a tent and not awning. I've heard they will charge for more a tent.
Anyone had any experience with the Quechuas and campsites?
Thanks as always!
Steve
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dave_aber
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by dave_aber » Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:52 am
I use a base seconds, and I always just tell the site reception I have a campervan plus awning - never had a problem.
Sometimes I position the "awning" right up against the van, but usually I roll out he F45 canopy, and position the Quechua either on the end of the F45, or to the rear of it.
In all 3 positions, it is free-standing.
Never been challenged, however I have it full of chairs, bikes, table, cooking kit, etc - I've never attempted the same with the bedroom insert in.

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digitalgypsy
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by digitalgypsy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:07 pm
That's helpful Dave, thanks mate. If campsites don't even mind you positioning the Quechua at the end of the F45 then guess I have nothing to worry about

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idetika
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by idetika » Wed Apr 09, 2014 6:50 am
I've used a Quechua on a C&CC as well as many others. I just said it was an awning and have had no problems at all.
Here is one of our set ups using an adapted Quechua tarp
The Quechuas are so versatile. I have two bases plus a 3 man for my eldest son, and the tarp. They can be configured in so many ways.

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digitalgypsy
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by digitalgypsy » Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:48 am
Awesome! Thanks for info. Buying one shortly

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alan
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by alan » Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:23 pm
digitalgypsy wrote:Awesome! Thanks for info. Buying one shortly

the camping and caravan club are cool with these.
But one or two of the caravan club site get funny if it cant attached to the van
take it easy drive a bongo
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Jillygumbo
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by Jillygumbo » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:57 am
Some of the CC certificated location sites are funny. But you just ring first. I had one stupid woman who didn't understand the concept of a drive away awning at all, and whe I explained you can leave it on site, she said "Ohhhhhhh! You want the C&CC down the road!" Suffice to day I'll never go there! On the other side, the next site I called had no problem whatsoever - obviously wanted the business!
I know the CC CL rules say no tents but at the end of the day, these sites do want the business don't they? Well some of them do!
Jillygumbo, Tonto & Ruca
The night conceals the world, but reveals the universe!
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digitalgypsy
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by digitalgypsy » Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:56 am
Yep I've had some similar experiences Jilly. One owner went NUTS because I accidentally drove over the edge of their grass whilst I was trying to reverse into my pitch. Not sure why I stayed but he did apologise the next day. Just to be expected with some places I guess!
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notlob
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by notlob » Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:06 pm
idetika wrote:I've used a Quechua on a C&CC as well as many others. I just said it was an awning and have had no problems at all.
Here is one of our set ups using an adapted Quechua tarp
The Quechuas are so versatile. I have two bases plus a 3 man for my eldest son, and the tarp. They can be configured in so many ways.

Love the set up. Over the winter I've acquired a Base Seconds 4.1 and a freestanding awning similar to the tarp you have and have been trying to think how to arrange them, your picture has given me ideas to try out on our first trip of the season this weekend
Cheers
Dave
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digitalgypsy
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by digitalgypsy » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:53 pm
Hey out of interest, where do you guys store your Quechua in the Bongo? I'm wondering if it will stow away in the roof, albeit with no mattress up there.
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dom_e
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by dom_e » Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:43 pm
We manage to store our base seconds in the roof with a thin mattress and the hatch open (matress folded in front of the hatch, quechqua part over the hatch with the hatch door open). We close the roof slowly and check that it's not putting excess pressure on one area. The odd shape is a down side to the quechqa tents, but they are easy to put up and take down.
We have also fabricated a section of fabric stitched to a piping strip that attaches to a fig8 strip. This keeps the rain from comming in through the gap between the quechqua and the bongo.
Beyond A to B
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Simon Jones
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by Simon Jones » Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:56 pm
If you have to put it away wet, the 'disc' can be stood vertically on the sliding door step so any water will drip into the plastic step where it won't do any harm.
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digitalgypsy
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by digitalgypsy » Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:37 pm
Now there's some good suggestions! Didn't occur to place the Quechua on the sliding door step, don't you just love Bongos

I'm probably going to put my roof mattress in storage, in hindsight I would've bought one that is much thinner. No mattress up there and I can have the hatch open permanently
