[AndyKelly]

I am looking at buying a new awning before easter and have sort have settled on a Venutra Universal 320 or Isabella Unuversal 300 (same awning). Anyone got one or had one and have any comment on them?

Cheers

Andy

[wigandiver]

AndyKelly, on 07 March 2010 - 08:58 PM, said:

I am looking at buying a new awning before easter and have sort have settled on a Venutra Universal 320 or Isabella Unuversal 300 (same awning). Anyone got one or had one and have any comment on them?

Cheers

Andy

Haven't got one, but from reading various forums, they seem to be excellent quality and the price reflects this. May be an idea to keep your eyes and ears open fo a SH one.
Regards,
Jim.

This post has been edited by wigandiver: 08 March 2010 - 08:44 AM

[stevegw]

Hi

Have a look at the Quest Windsor. The quality is very good for the price and it is similar to the Isabella.

Regards

Steve.

[JanB]

Don't have experience of the Universal awning but we do have an Isabella Magnum, it is at least 6 years old, been heavily used in all weathers and still looks like new. Because of their frame system it fits the van snuggly and has never been affected by high winds. May seem expensive but they are really well designed and superb quality.

[JTQ]

Whilst the Ventura range is related to Isabella and share many common feature these are not the same awnings; the Ventura range are typically not so "detailed" no doubt to save cost. They are though undoubtedly excellent awnings and IMO offer better value as not everyone needs the extra detailing, such as port-hole windows etc.

In the case of the Isabella Universal 300 and Ventura 320 they are not even the same size; oddly the 300 being 320 and the 320 being 340cm long.

Without being rude you are aware that both are "all year" awnings and what this implies?
If not:
They are for being left unattended in central European winters with heavy snow loads. Thus have very very heavy steel frames.
If that's what you need fine but if its for attended use, and touring use in the UK then the Magnum will be a great deal easier to live with as it has a Carbon-fibre frame. The Magnum is also a 230 reach awning so is very strong despite having that Carbon-fibre frame.

Ours pre-dates the Carbon and has stood some appalling weather and many hundreds of days use for 8 years.

This post has been edited by JTQ: 08 March 2010 - 03:24 PM

[AndyKelly]

Thanks for the responses.

We currently have a Ventura Pacific 300 with steel poles, that whilst being heavy is absolutely superb. It doesnt move at all and withstood a fortnight on the Cornish coast in near hurrican conditions without any issues - in fact we were one of only 3 awaning kept up during the weather on a full site. Because of this, i am leaning toward the Universal over the Marlin which is a very similar but has carbon poles and a pitched roof.

Maybe i should have asked if anyone has experience of the Venutra Marlin also?

As much as lightweight poles are easy, I still think the steel frames give more stability. Am trying to find examples in NW England of these awnings on display so i can see - if anyone know where i can see either on display i would love to know.

Thanks

Andy

[JTQ]

Unquestionably steel poles are stronger but the relevance of this diminishes as the awning size decreases. The awnings you are looking at all are the short 230 cm reach and of excellent conventional construction, so tend to be robust.

The Marlin and Magnum have great similarities so in your quest for more info you might ask how many people with Magnums have had the frames broken in the storms.
Our Magnum's usage is unlikely to be exceeded much by many as we had one of the first ever made and we spend well over a 100 nights away per year so conservatively ours has withstood the vagrancies of 600 plus nights erected.
But a steel frame would be even stronger and no doubt concern would move from the frame itself to the integrity of awning's windows.

Remember all part awnings in appalling weather tend to slam the down drop against the van side and here the higher bending stiffness of steel would be an asset; even if hitting the van side with the much heavier pole might not be, despite the padding.

This post has been edited by JTQ: 08 March 2010 - 12:58 PM

[JanB]

Our Magnum has the carbon fibre poles - it has stood up to 80 mph and higher gusts at Braemar, heavy snow, a mini hurricane in Edinburgh the first time we used it and the full force of North Sea storms many a time. It has never leaked, moved or anything adverse in all that weather. It also works as a good sunshade in summer - once again no problems in sudden high winds with one side and the front zipped out. We certainly would not use any other sort of awning, plenty of room when the 2 grandchildren and their mother come with us plus we can seat 8 to eat when meeting up with friends. Out of interest why are you changing awnings from the 300?

[wigandiver]

AndyKelly, on 08 March 2010 - 12:24 PM, said:

Am trying to find examples in NW England of these awnings on display so i can see - if anyone know where i can see either on display i would love to know.
Thanks
Andy

Campbells at Lostock Hall, and also at their Kirkham depot may have them up in their showroom.
Jim.

[stevegw]

I have had two Isabella Magnums in the past and would have another if it would fit the caravan but one of the sides would cross a window which we would like to use in warm weather.

The Magnum is very robust in windy conditions and stayed in place on the Scottish coast during gales with IXL poles. You need to make sure as with all awnings it is tensioned correctly. I had a veranda pole along each side which held upright the poles against the van very tight. You could change the upright poles against the caravan for steel ones if you wanted to. I would not go back to steel poles for a Magnum or similar small awning as the IXL ones are so much lighter and easier to put up.

While the "build quality" of the Marlin is similar to the Magnum without some of the Isabella features the actual fabric is different and think you need to look at one before buying (I think it looks cheap). I would imagine the same goes for the universal ones.

From memory the universal awnings have far more steel poles and if they are like the Trio Midi or Maxi a pain to put up even with two people. You can put the Magnum up on your own.

Hope this helps to confuse but look before you buy as they are quite expensive if do not like what you get.

Regards

Steve

[colger23]

AndyKelly, on 08 March 2010 - 12:24 PM, said:

Maybe i should have asked if anyone has experience of the Venutra Marlin also?

I have had a Ventura Marlin for about 6 years - excellent porch awning

[AndyKelly]

JanB, on 08 March 2010 - 01:33 PM, said:

Out of interest why are you changing awnings from the 300?

Jan we are not changing per se - the Pacific 300 attached full length to our Heritage 640 is enormous for 2 of us and a dog so when we are on our own and dont have friends or relatives with us a small awning makes sense for us.

Love the Pacific - great awning and withstood hurricane conditions last year so would highly reccommend for a large awning.

Andy

[seesaw]

I have a universal 320 for sale. Its a great awning but too small for our needs - 2 adults, 1 child, German Shepherd and bikes, etc.
Only used it twice bought it when we got the van last year on the advice of friends. Quality is great, found it easy to put up - even for us first timers. Think I paid £700 for it, looking for £450 ono.

[AndyKelly]

Pleased to say i took the plunge today and went for the Isabella Magnum. Went to Campbells in Preston and they had both the Ventura Marlin and Isabella Magnum side by side for comparison. After taking a long time looking at both and being given the differences between them from the sales staff we decided that for us the Isabella was worth the price difference and we were in the lucky position to be able to buy it. I was looking forward to easter as it was and now i cant wait!!!

[JTQ]

AndyKelly, on 13 March 2010 - 09:41 PM, said:

Pleased to say i took the plunge today and went for the Isabella Magnum.

That will be with the Carbon or steel frame?
Whatever enjoy it, I am sure it will serve you well.

[AndyKelly]

Sorry, it is the Carbon-X frame.

[JanB]

Good choice Andy - I am sure you won't regret it.

[outnumbered]

AndyKelly, on 16 March 2010 - 01:42 PM, said:

Sorry, it is the Carbon-X frame.

just having a browse and saw this might be handy.
mike
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=6bqI53sSuRg

[fronzoni]

seesaw, on 10 March 2010 - 12:52 PM, said:

I have a universal 320 for sale. Its a great awning but too small for our needs - 2 adults, 1 child, German Shepherd and bikes, etc.
Only used it twice bought it when we got the van last year on the advice of friends. Quality is great, found it easy to put up - even for us first timers. Think I paid £700 for it, looking for £450 ono.

[fronzoni]

Hi, Have you still got this awning for sale.