Awning test - Isabella Commodore Concept

NEW for 2010 in the Isabella range is an acrylic-coated polyester fabric with a textured finish.

The inside feels more akin to acrylic; the outside feels smooth – that’s because it’s waterproof. This fabric is called Isatex, developed specially for Isabella, and appears in two awnings this year.

One of them, the Commodore Concept, is about to meet up with an Elddis Crusader Tornado – and the Go Caravan awning test crew is put to as much of a test as the awning itself.

That’s because the build takes place under the watchful eye of Isabella sales manager Dan Hares and he takes no prisoners if you make a mistake, as revealed later...

I’m eager to get my hands on this new fabric but there’s a lot of work to do yet.

We lay out the poles ready for the build; we connect the centre section first, making a T-piece. There are seven roof rafters in this 989cm size; the awning is three metres deep so the end result is going to be a mighty construction.

It’s all here – bags of red and metal pegs for all ground types (more pegs than you’ll ever need), and a wallet full of instructions.

The awning goes into the caravan channel relatively easily, given its weight. A system of islets and spikes shows up one of the many refinements: “drop stop” grommets that prevent rainwater from finding its way in, down the poles.

Next task: Clip on the seven Fix-On clamps which secure the roof rafters to the beading that runs inside the awning rail.

The build speeds up now and I notice the bayonet locators that make connecting the poles easy and Isafix pole clamps take the effort out of tensioning.

Cross poles that feed into sleeves in the canopy ensure the canopy is taut so that no water can gather – especially above the doorways!

We’re soon at the pegging down stage and the wind-stopping qualities of this tough fabric begins to impress me.

The coating on the fabric gives it a waterproof, wipe-clean quality and enhances its suitability for seasonal siting as well as for touring.

The side windows roll up to reveal mesh panels and I learn a lesson from expert Dan Hares: I roll one up and Dan stops me: “It’s very neatly rolled – but completely useless. Roll it again – inside itself.

That way you prevent a channel forming which would collect water.” Suitably tutored, I re-do the task – and realise that this is a really important point.

New-design robust clips that fix the fabulously high-quality curtains to their tracks; curtain stays that are the same material as the curtains and have beautifully rounded ends; white-cotton edging...  I notice more features as I build.

One front panel can be dropped to half height over a horizontal pole; you can choose which side to drop – and the pole is supplied as standard.

Our Verdict:

The Concept is made to last many years; Isabella tells us the Isatex fabric out-performs all its polyester predecessors.

The combination of tough fabric and extremely robust construction is where you find the value.

Add in the long list of refinements like grommets that keep out the rain and precision curtain fixings and you are looking at a superbly-constructed awning.

If you use your awning many times a year, one like this is well worth considering.

Fact-file:

Price: £1854 – £2928 depending on caravan size and type of frame chosen
Depth: 3 metres
Fabric: Coated polyester with PVA
Frame: Choice between CarbonX fibreglass and Zinox steel
Colour: Coal, slate and chalk
Contact: Isabella International Camping
Tel: 01844 202099

Web: www.isabella.net

Back to "General" Category