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VANGO cove II LOW DRIVE AWAY AWNING REVIEW
Vango Cove II Low Poled Awning 2024 (180-210) Overview
Lets take a look at the Vango Cove II. It’s another drive away awning on Vango’s impressive range that’s aimed at couples and small families that want some extra valuable space when going on camping trips. It’s primarily aimed at users who go touring and for long weekends away over the warmer months. Due to its lightweight construction it’s an easy setup and takedown awning and won’t take up much room when travelling because of the compact pack size. The Cove is specifically designed to fit camper vans with a height range of 180-210cm! During this review we will go through all the great features and slight drawbacks to make sure it’s the right awning for your needs.
Value For Money?
The Cove II poled awning is classed as an entry level priced awning. If your a couple or small family wanting that bit extra room on your weekend getaways then we think this is a great option. It’s very reasonably priced and with the option to add things like a drive away awning bedroom in, it offers so much versatility. Whether you’re wanting it to sleep extra guests or simply just as storage space, you can be confident with a trusted brand like Vango you’ll be getting an extremely high quality product. Compare this awning to that of other brands and you’ll realise with the quality materials they use and the smart features, you’re getting a huge amount for the cost. If you’re wanting
A Little About Vango
Vango is a renowned outdoor equipment brand that specialises in manufacturing high quality camping gear and outdoor equipment. Established in Scotland in 1966, Vango has built a strong reputation for innovation, reliability, and durability in its products.
The company offers a wide range of outdoor gear, including tents, sleeping bags, camping furniture, backpacks, awnings, and camping accessories. Vango’s product lineup caters to various outdoor activities, from family camping trips to adventurous backpacking expeditions and everything in between.
One of the key strengths of Vango is its commitment to innovation and technology. The brand continually strives to develop new materials, designs, and features to enhance the performance and comfort of its products. For example, Vango has pioneered the use of innovative fabrics, such as their patented Sentinel fabric, which offers superior waterproofing and durability.
In addition to innovation, Vango places a strong emphasis on quality and reliability. The brand rigorously tests its products to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance and durability, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to rely on their gear in various weather conditions and environments.
Specifications
- Weight: 15.1KG
- Pack size: L78.0cm x H30.0cm x W38.0cm
- Kador adjustable height: 180- 210cm
- Kador adjustable length: 260cm
- Height: 205.0cm
- Length: 310.0cm
- Width: 320.0cm
What Is It Used For?
Lightweight, Compact, and Waterproof:
The Vango Cove awning boasts an impressive combination of lightweight construction and compact design, making it incredibly easy to transport and set up. It’s classed as a lightweight polysester touring awning. Polyester fabric is commonly used in the production of drive away awnings due to its lightweight and compact nature, making it ideal for touring campers. It offers convenience and portability, so it’s ideal for those shorter trips away.
What Vehicle Is It For?
The Vango Cove is designed for Vans and motorhomes with an awning rail height of 180-210cm. This is classed as a low awning so is perfect for VW Transporters and similar height vehicles.
It also comes with multiple vehicle attachment methods. All Vango awnings come with pre attached 6mm kador, 8M over vehicle straps, roof bar attachment tabs and sleeve for pole & clamp kit system. This ensures our awnings are compatible with any vehicle
How Does It Handle The Weather?
The Vango Cove polyester fabric has a 70 Denier rating. Denier is the measurement of how thick the fibres are that make up the fabric. 70 Denier is the entry level fabric for drive away awnings, so is ideal for summer touring and short trips. The compromise is this, lower Denier fabrics make the awning lightweight and compact however aren’t as durable and suited to the colder months as higher Denier awnings. If you’re wanting something you can use through the winter months and for longer trips away then it might be worth considering an awing with a higher Denier. The Faros will serve perfect for those who want to primarily use it over the warmer months for shorter breaks
Rain
The Vango Cove has a hydrostatic head rating of 3000MM. Hydrostatic head is a measurement of how waterproof a fabric is. A rating of 3000MM is very good as anything 3000MM and above can handle pretty much any rain Europe can throw at it. I recently went on a camping trip to the lake district with a friend who has the Vango Faros drive away awning which also has a 70 Denier tating and a 3000mm Hydrostatic Head. The Lake District of course provided us with some heavy downpours and the Faros stayed completely dry and comfortable even during the heavy rain showers. Both the Vango Cove and Faros weatherproofing capabilities allow you to explore the outdoors without worrying about unpredictable weather conditions.
The Vango Cove also has a sewn in groundsheet which provides a bug and draught free environment, enhancing comfort and protection against the elements. The external storm skirt offered all round protection which also came in very handy while camping in the Lakes!
Wind
The Vango Cove comes with a TBSII (Tension Band System). This is anther great piece of technology Vango have created and patented. This will prove to be a lifesaver during adverse weather conditions, particularly strong, changeable winds like we get in the UK! Its ability to brace the beam or pole at three points prevents nearly all sideways movement, make the awning extremely stable. You can also adjust the Tension Band System depending on weather conditions and this is a really straightforward process. Just be careful not to over tighten the band as this will deform the shape of the beam and reduce the awning stability.
There’s no surprise Vango’s awning perform well in the wind and ran too, because they are all fully wind and rain tested to the European standard.
Heat
The Faros has both high and low ventilation panels to promote airflow. This massively reduced the condensation when it was cold outside and nice and warm within the awning. The Faros also has a mesh front door that’s equipped with an internal mesh fly screen. The mesh front door provided excellent ventilation while keeping pesky bugs at bay.
It’s worth mentioning here that one of the reasons 70 Denier fabric isn’t suitable for static or long-term seasonal pitching because of UV degradation.
Ease Of Use
Pitching Process
To begin, you lay out the awning adjacent to your vehicle, ensuring proper alignment and sufficient space for attachment. Attaching it is a breeze, as you just secure it to your vehicle’s roof rack or awning rail using the adjustable straps or hooks provided. The design is intuitive, so you’ll quickly grasp how all the components fit together seamlessly.
Next, you extend the awning poles and effortlessly slot them into place. These poles are color-coded and clearly marked, simplifying the matching process with the corresponding sleeves or connectors on the awning. The Vango Fibreglass Poles are known for their strength and lightness. If you put the awning up correctly you’ll have a sturdy structure even in challenging weather conditions.
With the poles properly positioned, you begin to elevate the awning, adjusting the tension as necessary for a snug fit. The guy ropes, brightly colored for enhanced visibility in low light conditions, serve to prevent tripping hazards and provide stability in windy environments. Additionally, premium steel pegs included with the awning aid in stabilizing it. With practice, it’s feasible to pitch this lightweight awning in approximately 15 minutes!
The tunnel adjustment strap contributes to a more polished appearance and tighter fit to the vehicle, enhancing both the aesthetics and functionality of the awning. This thoughtful addition may seem minor, but it significantly elevates the overall performance and visual appeal of the awning.
Clever Access
The Vango Cove is equipped with convenient access doors. The addition of these doors, offering flat entry access, is a considerate feature that caters to individuals with limited mobility, as well as those using wheelchairs or prams. I particularly appreciate the inclusivity of this awning, and personally found these doors to be incredibly handy when moving camping gear in and out of the awning when I went camping in the Lake District in the Faros.
The Vango Cove also features two doors in the tunnel attachment to the vehicle. Having two doors provides convenient access to both the front and back of the vehicle, enhancing overall accessibility and convenience. This thoughtful design element eliminates the need to navigate through the entire awning.
Drive Away Functionality
Optional Extra Bedroom
The availability of an optional bedroom for the awning presents a significant advantage for campers seeking flexibility and comfort during their outdoor adventures. With the clip-in double bedroom addition, users can effortlessly create an add extra sleeping area, accommodating more guests or providing extra space for families. Not only does it enhance the versatility of the awning, but it also ensures that campers can enjoy a restful night’s sleep as the sleeping pod comes with blackout technology.
Other clever Features
King Pole Door
The addition of the king pole door to this awning is fantastic! you can utilize it as a shelter during both sunny days and light rain showers. This added functionality provides you with significantly more freedom and space, ultimately enhancing the overall enjoyment of your trip.
Privacy Curtains
A wonderfully simple yet highly effective feature of the awning. When open, plenty of natural light floods into the space, but when closed, you have the privacy needed for activities like changing clothes.
Diamond Clear Windows
One of the standout features of the Faros awning is its Diamond Clear windows! Another innovative feature from Vango that maximizes both light and visibility, creating a bright and airy atmosphere inside the awning. It’s amazing the abundance of natural light that will stream through these windows, making the space feel more inviting and expansive.
Lantern Hanging Points
Again another extremely simple feature which you’ll be grateful for! Strategically placed lantern hanging points means you wont be walking around with head torches on the whole time on a night!
Conclusion
The Cove II Drive Away Awning from Vango is absolutely great value for money! It completely enhances camping trips away and at the fraction of the cost of other drive away awnings. Vango are renowned for their high quality products and have been awning industry leaders for a long time now. With the Cove you get Vango’s innovation and quality, from its lightweight and compact design to its waterproof construction, you get it all! When you’re seeking shelter from the elements, enjoying the sunshine, or simply wanting the extra storage space, the Cove awning will be an indispensable companion on your camping adventure!
Best Price
DISCLAIMER– This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase the product I’ve reviewed using the link provided I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Writing product reviews takes time, so this way it will help me to continue writing about products I believe in long into the future! Thank you!
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