Verdict
It may not look as perfect as your classic pole awning, but this is such a versatile, well-made product that even doubters of inflatable caravan awnings may make the switch.
Pros
It’s easy to pitch, with lots of extras to help you get your awning just right
Cons
Check that the Plus part won’t cause problems with opening the front windows
Kampa is 10 years old this year, and has built up a market-leading position in inflatable caravan awnings.
Kampa’s Rally Air Pro 390 Plus has evolved partly from customer demand for an extension that was more open to the elements.
Hence the Plus – an extension that has a removable front panel and stands independent of the caravan.
Although originally intended as a porch, other advantages have become apparent: customers like it as a wet weather entrance area.
The awning fabric is 300 denier Weathershield Pro material with a hydrostatic head of 6000mm.
The model we fitted to our Swift Challenger was a 2017 version, and for 2018 the main change you’ll see is that the roof has a dual pitch, providing more headroom towards the front.
Other developments include openable mesh side panels and optional mesh panels for the front windows, so you don’t have to take out the window to fit them.
All Kampa’s PVC windows are now 40% thicker.
Curtains have been kept neutral (like the grey awning itself), but this year they are held back with PVC stays.
The awning can be inflated from one point only, and from that one point the entire awning is inflated – which Kampa calls single-point inflation.
And for 2018, with the introduction of the larger diameter AirPoles, Kampa has reduced the amount of pressure needed to support the awning, so there is less pumping to do.
A more robust valve has been introduced and a removable tensioning band helps to ensure the right tension, while a fixing point helps you keep the central beam high to aid water run-off.
The fluorescent guy ropes are easy to put up – and see at night.
Meanwhile, the two side panels are interchangeable, which is helpful if you have a caravan with an entrance that might otherwise be right by the door.
In addition, an annexe can be fitted to the side with the zip-out panel.
Optional extras include an inner tent (£107.49), and a roof lining that will help reduce condensation (£82.49).
You can buy an organiser (£48.74) that will fit to the caravan awning rail or to an accessory rail built into the awning.
Alternatively, Kampa has introduced its optional Limpet Fix System (eight limpets – £37.49) for attaching the inner edges of the awning to the side of the caravan, so all Kampa Rally Air caravan awnings are now described as ‘Limpet Ready’.
If your tourer has a window near the front that might be obscured by the Plus part of the awning, or a side locker, a zipped panel should allow easier access.
The Air Plus is also ‘SabreLink ready’, with loops under the beams to carry Kampa’s own SabreLink LED lighting system (the SabreLink starter kit costs £62.49.
The fluorescent guy ropes are easy to put up – and see at night
