Kampa’s fiesta range of Air Pro inflatable awnings comes in three sizes: the 420, 350 and, the smallest, the 280. Many people will find that the last is big enough for any size of tourer. The range suits caravans with attachment rails between the height of 235cm and 250cm. 

We fitted the Kampa Fiesta Air Pro 280 to a Swift Broadway 524 (a Broad Lane Leisure dealer special). Because it is compact, the Fiesta Air Pro 280 didn’t cut across the caravan’s forward side window. It has a 6mm-thick bead that slides into awning rails, and a 4mm to fit a wind-out awning. The package weighs 15.9kg in total, which is about 34lbs (2.5 stone), so be careful where you stow it in transit and make sure it won’t move around when you’re cornering.

The Fiesta Air Pro has a manual pump with an alloy shaft, which is all most people need to inflate the main support tubes. These are connected via a system of valves, which allows them to be inflated within a couple of minutes.

As with similar inflatable caravan awnings, peg it down temporarily – one peg is enough to keep it from flying off in a gust of wind while you’re erecting it. 

The fabric is heavy-duty 300D polyester with UV-protective coating and taped seams – the same as in Kampa’s conventional awnings. You can zip out the whole front, or roll it back half-way for a veranda-style opening. 

The side panels can be zipped out and are interchangeable, and there’s good ventilation thanks to a large no-see-um mesh on one side panel, which lets in air but not tiny bugs. The other has an acrylic window and a curtain.

Further ventilation is provided in the roof apex. Below are a draught skirt and mudflaps with eyelets for pegging down.

The Fiesta Air Pro 280 also comes with Kampa’s AccessoryTrack – a neat extra section of beading to which you can attach an organiser or hanging rail. 

Although the pump supplied is manual, it can take as little as two minutes to inflate the framework. You may need only five minutes more to peg it out. 

The Kampa can likewise be disassembled quickly and its storage bag is larger than that provided for other awnings, to make packing away hassle-free. The pack size is 75cm x 37cm x 37cm, so the struggle begins when you search for somewhere to put that.   

We tried the optional zip-on arched canopy, which can provide extra protection from the elements at the front. It is supported by an aluminium pole with ring-and-pin fixings at ground level. The other main option is the annexe, which can serve as a bedroom or storage space and fits on either side. 

Here is the full list of optional extras: Canopy (£129), annexe (£258),roof lining (£41.99), 12V two-stage pump (£99.95), storm tie-down kit (£20), rear upright pole set (£30), continental cushioned carpet (£72), hanging rail for accessory track (£16).

The Kampa Fiesta Air Pro 280 only comes in shades of charcoal grey and was launched for 2015. Keep an eye on prices, which may slip below £600 as retailers make room for newer stock.