Vango Faros II Low Drive Away Awning Review

Vango Faros II Low (Poled) Awning 2024 (180-210cm) Overview

The Faros is the latest lightweight poled drive away awning from Vango, it features Vango’s Sentinel Active quality fabric ensuring a compact pack size ideal for short breaks away without taking up valuable storage space. The Faros awning can be left freestanding while you head out for the day and then easily reattached on your return thanks to its multi attachment options and simple double entry tunnel structure. The large front door with mesh panel creates a great living space making this awning a great addition to your vehicle on short breaks away.

Value For Money?

The Faros poled awning is classed as an entry level priced awning. We honestly think it’s great value for money and you can be confident with a trusted brand like Vango you’ll get 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, your’re getting a huge amount for the cost. If you’re wanting some more space on those long weekend camping trips away then this drive away awning is definitely one to consider. You can view more details and the best price by clicking the link below. To read our full review just keep on scrolling!

Specifications

How Does It Handle The Weather?

The Faros 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 Faros 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. 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. Its weatherproofing capabilities allow you to explore the outdoors without worrying about unpredictable weather conditions.
The Faros 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!

Ease Of Use

Pitching

You start by laying out the awning next to your vehicle, ensuring it’s aligned properly and there’s enough space for the attachment. The attachment process is straightforward, you secure it to your vehicle’s roof rack or awning rail using the provided adjustable straps or hooks. The design is intuitive, and you quickly understand how everything fits together.

Next, you extend the awning poles and slot them into place. The poles are color-coded or clearly marked, so you easily match them to the corresponding sleeves or connectors on the awning. The Vango Fibreglass Poles are strong, light, and create reliable structure even in adverse conditions.

With the poles in position, you begin to raise the awning, adjusting the tension as needed to ensure a snug fit. The guy ropes are bright coloured to provide clear visibility in limited light to prevent a tripping hazard. Once adjusted correctly they ensure stability in high winds. There’s also high quality steel pegs provided with the awning help you stabilise it. Once practised its possible to pitch this lightweight awning in around 15 minutes!

The tunnel adjustment strap also helped create a neater looking tunnel and a tighter fit to the vehicle, which increased both the aesthetics and functionality. It was a small yet thoughtful detail that made a big difference in the overall appearance and performance of the awning.

Packing

Packing up the Faros awning was a hassle free experience, thanks to the oversized carry bag provided. This thoughtful addition made storing and transporting the awning effortless and I wish other brands would take note of this! There’s nothing worse than trying to pack a damp awning into an undersized bag at the end of a trip, so thank you Vango!

Clever Access

The Faros come with easy access doors. The inclusion of easy access doors with flat entry access is a thoughtful addition that caters to individuals with reduced mobility, wheelchairs, or prams. I love the fact that this awning is so inclusive and I personally found these doors to be incredibly convenient when carrying camping equipment in and out of the awning!

The Faros also has two doors in the tunnel attachment to the vehicle. The inclusion of two doors provided convenient access to the front or back of the vehicle, enhancing accessibility and convenience. This thoughtful design feature made it easier to access essential items stored in the vehicle without having to navigate through the entire awning.