Awning review: Dorema Daytona Air

A robust inflatable that’s easy to set up

IT’S A TRICKY one. Can you pitch an inflatable awning all season long? Quality of material aside, there’s always going to be the question of how inflated tubes cope with the inevitable changes in temperature you’re going to experience when you are pitched long-term, as well as the risk of losing pressure over long periods.

Enter the Dorema Daytona Air. It’s a full awning (roomier, better insulated than a porch, no creeping along the awning rail once up), with the added advantages of inflatable pole technology (easier to erect, obviating any likelihood of accidental damage from wayward conventional poles).

Problem solved, then?

We’d certainly love to hear of readers’ experiences.

Meanwhile, we were more than happy with our initial impressions of this Dorema product. It’s a size 10 (in a range spanning sizes 6 to 19), which we matched up to a

Swift Challenger 580SE

(the Celeste, a special edition available from Salop Leisure).

As with any inflatable awning – porch or full – you have a fair amount of initial bulk to deal with and transport.

Tencate Residential fabric is one of the performance secrets here. It’s a coated polyester that’s long been noted for its abilities to cope with all weathers, including retaining its colour in the sun’s full glare.

Interconnecting main tubes mean you can inflate this awning from just one point, which always makes things that little bit easier.

This Daytona comes with four upright poles and three roof beams that go all the way into the canopy area.

Fibre Tech poles with hookand-pin fabric points make for more stability across the front at the highest point. For further reassurance, the exterior clips are already in place, in case you want to go for the storm straps in the Safe Lock Kit.

There’s also beading, should you want to pay more and have

the Palma full-canopy option. Items such as the double-action manual pump, draught skirt and curtains all come as standard.

Access is conventional – two front and four side doors – and all panels can be removed, with the front ones also rolling down. The right side panel includes a mesh section, too.

All very reassuring. It’s worth stressing, Dorema awnings are proven in all conditions – as seen on sites across Europe.

VERDICT

A superior inflatable awning, tough enough to cope with hardcore caravanning.