Bongo Fury

Just bought a Vango Sapera awning after seeing just how fantastic they are at the NEC yesterday.

can't wait to get it up to report back on our findings.

My findings with ours have been can't recommend enough!

I nearly bought one of these which I saw at the show as it was a great bit of kit: http://www.outdoor-revolution.com/oxyge ... ite-2.html

However, they don't pack up into a particularly small bag which would make storage a bit tricky while touring around.

We have the extra long Sapera so it isn't all that small but it isn't heavy which was a big thing for us. It's also cheaper than that one, considering the extra size.

I always worry about what happens if they become leaky. Has anyone much experience of how well they last?

The Outwell one from my earlier link has a lifetime manufacturing defect warranty. In the unlikely event of a puncture, the inflatable 'beam' can just be unzipped from it's cover. They are about £40 apparently.

The chap from Outwell was quite scathing about the quality of the Vango ones on the stand opposite him. I think the double-ripstop material used on the Outwell does look very hard wearing but I guess time will tell.

Simon Jones wrote:The Outwell one from my earlier link has a lifetime manufacturing defect warranty. In the unlikely event of a puncture, the inflatable 'beam' can just be unzipped from it's cover. They are about £40 apparently.

The chap from Outwell was quite scathing about the quality of the Vango ones on the stand opposite him. I think the double-ripstop material used on the Outwell does look very hard wearing but I guess time will tell.

Interesting. I must get a look at one in the flesh.

Hi
Mike...
We had one of those inflatable tents over 20 years back...and the inflatable system was old even then. We took it on holiday with Tony's family who were over from Holland...we had the awning on the Type 2...Well....the tent kept deflating, but if pumped up every now and then , it just sufficed....
Don't forget, if it's a SLOW puncture, if the air beam is sewn in , it'll be a pig to find, but if it's removeable, you're quids in!
MAYBE they are a bit better nowadays, but I still prefer flexi-poles for a long stay, HOWEVER, I would risk having another bash for the odd over-nighter...OR a tailgate jobbie!
Cheers
Helen

Simon Jones wrote: The chap from Outwell was quite scathing about the quality of the Vango ones on the stand opposite him. I think the double-ripstop material used on the Outwell does look very hard wearing but I guess time will tell.

Shock horror - competitors product not as good as ours!!!!!

Mark Elvin wrote:

Simon Jones wrote: The chap from Outwell was quite scathing about the quality of the Vango ones on the stand opposite him. I think the double-ripstop material used on the Outwell does look very hard wearing but I guess time will tell.

Shock horror - competitors product not as good as ours!!!!!

I saw that coming a mile off.

Innovative design on the other hand

But it sounds from Simon's post as though the innovative bits can be replaced.

The vango is as Simon says repairable by just unzipping the beams out and replacing the whole lot if necessary but it also comes with a repair kit similar to your bike inner tube. As they are only infalted to 7 PSI I don't think that type of repair would be difficult to do.

On top of that the zip-in pocket the beams are in, are very thick and sturdy, so unless you happen to be rolling it up on thorns you'd be hard pushed to get a puncture like that. Obviously wear and tear puncture, only time will tell!