Dometic Ace Air Pro 400 Caravan Awning 2023 From  £1794.99

I started caravanning in 1977 and since then I have had awnings in all shapes and sizes finishing with a 1100cm Isabella. I wanted something easier to put up and since I had a small Kampa Air Porch awning when they were new to the market, I thought I'd look at the newest ranges. There is a bewildering array of options, but the Staff at Camping World were very helpful, and I settled on a Air Ace Pro 400S with an additional Side Wing.

When the packages arrived I set up the caravan to receive the awning and looked at the instruction manuals(s). If I hadn't been experienced with awnings I don't know what I would have done. The instructions are terrible, telling you in great detail about things you will probably never use (adjustable height, for example), but not telling you about important things like which position to put the rear poles. I downloaded a manual from Dometic Australia (!) which was marginally better, with more cartoons, but Dometic should make improving their manuals a priority as not all caravanners are as experienced as me, and it may put people off buying it.

Having got that rant off my chest, what about the awning? Simple answer, it's wonderful. The amout of thought and design that have gone into its manufacture (made in China, although there are Union Jacks on every bag for the design) are staggering. Nearly every possible circumstance has been catered for with :-

(1) rings in the roof for both a Lining (the white ones) and an inner tent (the black ones) which are accessible even when the lining is up
(2) mounts for veranda poles across the main panels (I use old Isaballa curtain poles, rather than spending 25€ each for three Dometic ones; the Isabella plastic clips fit the Dometic ones perfectly, even wooden dowelling would do)
(3) zips already on the outside for Wings or Extensions, and internal ones for a mesh across the doors, which are very expensive, however
(4) very clever pegging guys for the main poles ,

etc, etc.

The main problem I encountered was that when the tubes are fully inflated, the white lining rings were drawn up behind the poles and were inaccessable. It was impossible to get them out, neither could I get the optional foam pads into place. This should be done when you pause during the inflation to get the legs upright. Well, I'll know next time.

Once you get over these niggling difficulties, you can only marvel at the awning's design and construction, and if you're in the market for an awning like this, buy it! You'll regret it afterwards if you miss it. The amount of space and lightness exceeded all my expectations

Another recommeddation - buy yourself a set of Limpets. There are many alternates available (on Amazon, for example), but they're not of the quality of the Dometic ones.

95 out of 100 - the reduction just for the instruction manuals

Happy camping!!

Excelent awning high quality workmanship very practical and quick to use