Vango Montelena Air Awning 2019 [CC]

[@carolinebill154]

Bought this last year. Was on offer, paid £750. Well worth the money. Love the shape as it’s not like every other awning in the market. It’s very bright inside too. Love it!

[@HereWeTow]

That’s a great deal that you got, it is a lovely awning and very light and bright 😊👍

[@joebloggs6993]

Hi, great review. I couldn't decide between a couple of awnings but after seeing this the Montelena is definitely the one for me. Recently bought a motorhome with fixed island bed which is great but the downside is you lose valuable space in the lounge. This is perfect, gives a whole new room and I was amazed to see that it's all weather! Well done on explaining everything in a way that we all want to hear. Appreciate your honesty. Thanks

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks Joe Bloggs 😊

[@emmanye8985]

Husband and I just got this awning today at a great price. We had seen it at a caravan shop last August whilst on holiday. Our previous awning didn’t have the head room we needed or the floor space for a family of 5. Can’t wait to put this one to the test. We looked at the kalari as well but like the look of this one and the amount of floor space.

[@HereWeTow]

The Montelena provides a great space due to the shape of it, it will be a good size for your family. Enjoy your new Vango 👍

[@richardzincke5720]

May I ask what price you paid for the awning Emma ?

[@outandaboutmd]

Thank you so much for all of your video’s, they have been so very helpful.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you Donna…love your dog 🐾😊

[@richardzincke5720]

Excellent video ,been looking at awnings for a while now and watching your review made our minds up to buy this one , lovely looking awning with some great features ,thank you !

[@GG-gotr6]

Thanks Jules, really impressed you managed to thread the guide rail and erect the awning single handed, I struggle and there's two of us. It looks good and it'll be interested to hear your thoughts later. I have a single inflation point, not sure I'd like to have separate tubes to inflate and insert but you made it appear easy. Excellent editing and great vlog. I'm enjoying your channel more and more.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching Geo and commenting. Once it’s on the rail it’s not too bad..think my size helps 👍

[@GG-gotr6]

@@HereWeTow Looking forward to your planned venture abroad, something I'd like to do later. I'm really interested in how easy/difficult the Ferry crossing will be. You tow a large Caravan, so if you could film any of the loading / unloading on the Ferry it would be helpful to me and maybe others. Andrew D has done some excellent films of his journey's through the Tunnel but Dover is to far for us, we'd be sailing from closer to home. Not long to go....⛴⛴

[@TheCaravanNut]

Like the idea of the door being separate, some good new upgrades on the Vango 🙂

[@Daveindurham]

What an excellent awning, sorts the old problem of how to stop the drafts down the sides. Each year they seem to get better, an upgrade would be nice but cost may be an issue. Only had the current one for three years and is still like new. Great video.

[@ShouldIstayorshouldItownow]

Been dying to see this since “tin to tum” Tuesday lol and not disappointed, cracking looking awning. Great review thank you for sharing Jules. Cheers Stuart and Rebecca 😎

[@robforrest12739]

These Vango awnings are pretty impressive and definitely on my list for consideration when our Kampa ones give up or we get fed up with the leaks/condensation!

[@barryeaton8907]

Got the Vango Kalari last year and its a great awning but I have to agree some of those upgrades seem first class. Looking forward to the review.

[@HowardB54]

Excellent review Jules - thanks for taking the time to do this 👍🏻

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Just catching up. Hi Jules this looks like it would be great a seasonal pitch awning. Love the padded caravan wall seals. Thanks Phil👍

[@HereWeTow]

👍👍

[@stephenwills1986]

Wow nice awning, looks very well designed and thought out 👍. Though I must argue it looks more like a small house than an awning 😆! I hope ‘Here We Fudge’ likes his new pad 🐾🐶! 🏕

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks Stephen, he loves it but still gets under our feet even with all the space 🐶👍.

[@busstop0830]

Your video was very helpful. thank you.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you 😊

[@hedgcock83]

Great video and review- you’re a natural presenter Jules. 👍🏻

[@iainwatson3624]

As I said on tin to tum Tuesday was paying more attention to the new awning than your omlette making skills so was really keen to see your update wasn't disappointed well smart has to be one of the best awnings I've seen nice jules👍

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you Iain. Hopefully you can go back and watch the omelette one again now. 😂😂😂

[@davereynolds3682]

Hey Jules/ Karina Belting awning!! Love it, we've just had a Vango Valkala connect, and we are really impressed with it, especially the Velcro joint for the skirt, brilliant idea, I was gutted that the 280 connect doesn't come with the new DSS on the sides ☹️. All the best, Black Country Dave

[@HereWeTow]

Cheers Dave. 👍👍 I do love the DSS tho. 😉👍👍

[@CaravanVlogger]

Really nice looking awning that! Thanks for sharing.. Graham

[@lensmanonline]

Great review Jules, nice awning keep thinking about changing our awning to an air awning, but our awning is still in good condition. Best wishes Jon and Karen

[@LatitudeAdventures]

Lovely looking awning

[@Baldyonabike]

Great video once again, liking the velcro between the skirt and the awning and also the strap tension to the caravan, however why any brand would have more than one inflation point is beyond me. Kampa Club Air Pro 400 beating this all day long with the limpet system.

[@kevinwallbank5918]

Good video, looking forward to the review of it in bad weather. Keep up the good work 👍

[@HereWeTow]

Absolutely, interested to see how it performs. 👍👍

[@paulefc1971]

Just purchased the 2020 model with mesh doors and carpet bundle thanks to your video Jules, better keep the price quiet from the Mrs though 😂😂😂😂

[@HereWeTow]

😊😂👍👍

[@mellarner8253]

A really brilliant review, as usual, you really have a great way of putting things over in real world way. You made this to look (too?) easy! .... or did it? So, It did get me thinking, as we have an Adria Thames following a series of poor quality UK made vans (Ordered an Isonzo, other half changed her mind ....). Anyway, we currently have a Varkala 280 that is great and easy for short trips. and has been superb in all respects. The Isabella Magnum (and even 2 annexes) we have is used for long stays. However, the Magnum ends up half way across a window on one end. So, following this review, and after more research, it appeared as easy as you made it look, so a Vienna 400 it was , the plan is that it will replace the others. Did a trial run at home, just to ensure all is well before a 3 week trip out. While the Vienna is same design as the Montelena, it has Isabella style fabric and so is heavy, but am able to thread and inflate it single handed, even though I am a bit of an old crock. Reckon it is of equal quality to Isabella and we think that is the best awning we have had ( had a few over the years)... to date.. As you have said, really top notch features, especially the side sealing system. This is the last awning we intend to buy, so the Tencate should see to that, a 3 year guarantee upon regestering on website, so worst case should be airbeam repairs , way way down the road and if at all. As for more inflating points, well, 3 velcro attachments are pretty standard fare and 3 others is hardly a problem, though have electric pump, which no doubt helps a bad back. So thanks for the good work and great, informative videos which I reckon are pegged at the right level and manner both for novices and old hands alike. Look forward to your usual follow ups on how you get on with it over time.

[@GeordieOnTour]

nice looking awning, i bought a outdoor revolution 380, its got the patent air release system, love it. this one has the inner roof id like. have you bought it how much was it you didnt say keep the videos coming

[@gallowaygetaways5326]

Nice awning, loads of space!

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you, yeah we’re loving the extras. 👍👍

[@raymondporter2094]

Good video and the awning looks fine. However the advantage of our new Kampa Ace Air Pro 400 is the single point of inflation and no need separately to inflate the side beams. And it has already sttod up fine to 50+ mph winds at Whitby (as its thinner-material 390 predecessor did in a hurricane a few years ago at Grinton - 61mph at its height!).

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you. We’re always looking and just want to show what’s out there for everyone. The Kampa awnings do look fantastic to but we haven’t used them as we are over the moon with the Vango ones. 👍👍

[@curtismorrow691]

Hi, I'm very glad when I came across your website and KZbin channel. I've used alot of information from these sources and I am very grateful. I have purchased a 2nd hand awning (vango montelena) and it's Great, I am having one problem though where I can't seem to get the awning tight where it meets the awning rail therefore the small main doors sag and cannot be used. Do you have any tips for setting up that I could try out next time I'm away in my caravan. Mamy thanks Curtis

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching Curtis. I’m not entirely sure where you are having a problem so hard to advise. It might be due to the height or levelness of your caravan and the awning. If you don’t get it right then take a photo and email it to us at [e-mail] and we will get back to you. Other then that you could contact Vango and ask their advice. I hope you sort it and thank you for watching our channel 😊

[@carlrees5574]

looked at this but rejected it because of the 3m depth, some pitches may be a bit small to accommodate a 3m deep awning??

[@ianpotter8110]

Great review, thanks.

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks Ian 👍

[@QuertY1]

The best review of this awning, thank you Jules you displayed so many features that I didn't know it had. I've just received mine. One question, the centre upright beam you mention that it is inflated inside the awning. I use an electric pump- lead from the car. Is it integral to the awning? Unlike the bracer roof beams that I can inflate outside. I'm guessing that I'll have to do some sweating with the hand pump inside the awning for this one?! Or, if space outside the awning is good, I could position the car next to the awning for the electric pump lead. What do you think?

[@HereWeTow]

Hi, thanks for your comments - if your lead is long enough you could always feed it under the awning skirt to get your pump inside the awning. It would stand without the beam inflated but it does require it to support the front of the awning and we quite liked to use the front as the main doors as they are such a large opening it made it easy getting the table in and out in nice weather to sit with friends. 😊😊👍 Thanks for watching.

[@QuertY1]

@@HereWeTow Great ideas, thank you. I go caravanning on my own with the dogs, so no hubby to do the hard work! I've got an awning pulley and that's a great piece of kit- being 5 foot 2, threading the awning onto the rail was always the worst bit, but with the pulley it's easy peasy. All I've got to do now is lift the awning bag lol !!!! Need to go to the gym!

[@GaetanHobby]

Too many strings for me but thanks for the vidéo 😉 i prefer my kampa air awning

[@stephenosborne5623]

Sorry if I've been insufficiently attentive, but of the two large arched air beams what holds the one nearest the caravan off the caravan?

[@HereWeTow]

No not at all Stephen, there is nothing that actually makes contact with the caravan and that’s what I found quite genius. There are two straps which pull the outer beam away from the caravan but it doesn’t need them unless the winds get up and they are marketed as storm straps. When we had this is Cornwall and the weather was extremely windy and inclement the awning held up to this fantastically. I was quite sceptical as like you I thought there should be a beam bracing from the caravan to the first main air beam. It really looks like it shouldn’t work but it does. Tried at several CAMC sites from Godrevy Cornwall, Longleat, Putts corner. I would say that it was at its limit in the 55mph storm winds that we got but held up well. Hope that helps.

[@stephenosborne5623]

@@HereWeTow ......very many thanks for your prompt and informative reply: much appreciated.

[@mulberryaddict938]

Hi guys, we’ve just bought this awning although we’re going on a seasonal in summer. What’s it like in high winds? Thinking of leaving a cheap porch awning up until we stay for longer and out this one up but wondering if it with stand a storm or two? Thanks

[@HereWeTow]

Hi Vicky, this is an excellent awning from April to October and we were really impressed with the space and how light and airy it was. If pegged down properly you wont have any problem with a storm. We tested it out when we got caught out in a horrendous storm that came in off the coast. Yes it took a battering but it was still standing and remained water tight. If you leave it up for a prolonged time just check the pressure on your beams every so often and if it is very hot weather you’re best dropping the psi a bit in the beams and direct sunlight can really push up your pressure. Enjoy your new awning! We used the Vango awning lights in the roof and they worked really well too. Karina and Jules 😊

[@MrDegs18]

What's the difference between a Vango Montelena Air Awning and a Motor Montelena Awning Please will the motore one fit my caravan..same hieght...

[@HereWeTow]

Without going on the website I don’t know, I would presume the Motor one may be higher but if you’re feeding this through a wind out canopy channel it should fit the same as the caravan one. Is the Motorhome one a driveaway at all? The best motorhome Vango awning I found was the Hexaway. It worked really well, gave a good space and wasnt too big. Karina

[@stephensnow8106]

Hi guys, did you ever do a follow up on the Vango Montelena 400 air awning, and how did you find it after using for a while.

[@HereWeTow]

Hi Stephen, we didn’t do anything further but what we did decide was: This is a very good awning for April to October. It offer a huge amount of space and is very bright and airy. It will withstand fairly bad weather and heavy rain. It is great for a week or more away but would be hard work to use just for weekends away. This is mainly due to it being quite hard to pack away due to the size. It would work well on a seasonal pitch between April and October, depending on the severity of the weather. We were pleased with this awning, to be fair any Vango awning does what it says on the tin. I hope that helps Stephen, we have found Vango a good awning manufacturer, they sit really well in the middle of the market. 😊 Karina

[@stephensnow8106]

@@HereWeTow thanks for the prompt reply Karina

[@davidaddis8760]

Jules, did you find the Montelena better than the Kalari?

[@HereWeTow]

Hi David, I preferred the Kalari, it was the 390 we had if I remember rightly. It was easier to put up as it was smaller and it was suitable for use in very bad weather too. I think the Montelena is an April to October awning. If I was buying another it would be the Kalari but the Montelena makes a very good summer awning if pitched for a week or more. There is more space in the Montelena and it is very light and bright. The Kalari is more sturdy and I liked the shape of it. Jules

[@davidaddis8760]

Thanks Jules, we have the Kalari 380, but have hard problems with the stitching on the seams to the awning rail strip, and door zip and seams all coming apart, only put up twice, the company do not have any more Kalari’s, and suggesting a Montelena as a replacement, we do Like the bow front of the Kalari, but do wonder if the Montelena still gives plenty of space. Hope all is well with you and your change of getting away, notice you drive more😊 Hope your Aunty is keeping well, thanks for your thoughts best wishes to you and Karina 😊

[@HereWeTow]

I think the Tuscany has replaced the Kalari, they do a 380 in that. Sorry to hear you have had issues with yours, ours is still in use now with a friend we gave it to. The Montelena 400 will feel huge compared to your 380. They do a Montelena 330 which would be more manageable but I would lean towards the Tuscany. I hope you get a suitable replacement. Jules

[@davidaddis8760]

@@HereWeTow thanks Jules, sadly they don’t have any more Kalari 111, or the Tuscany which would have been my choice, think Vango have moved away from that style to be more boxed type, so you idea and help has been appreciated, just got back from Rookesbury Site, so will have to see what the company come up with tomorrow.

[@louistracy6964]

Full window I thought he was going to expose. Phew, none of that nonsense

[@nonplus102]

Can I fit this to a van without a rail?

[@HereWeTow]

No you would need an awning channel to feed it through. You could use a drive away awning, such as a Vango Hexaway and throw the straps over to secure it. You would be best researching drive away awnings if you have no awning rail. Thanks for watching

[@richardzincke5720]

Hi have you done an update of how you've got on with the awning ?

[@HereWeTow]

Hi Richard, we didn’t do any further review with the Montelena. What we did conclude is it is an excellent awning for summer use and reasonable weather. Due to its size its more practical for a minimum of a weeks stay. The space was light and bright and the quality was very good, there were no leaks or issues. If you were to get one at a good discount its worth considering. I hope that offers a bit more insight. Jules

[@richardzincke5720]

@@HereWeTow We have just bought this awning ,it's not even arrived yet but looking forward to using it in a couple of weeks so fingers X and all goes well, I'm sure it will ,thanks again for your excellent review ! 😊

[@krippleinacaravanxxx707]

Very nice too! I am uncertain about the skirts around an awning. Some people pu them in whilst others push them out. What is your view kind Sir!

[@HereWeTow]

Ahhhh the very contentious issue. With our Kalari we always had them out. The new one we have them in (probably more because they look nice in. Will have to see if a wet weather day changes my mind. Will keep you posted. 👍👍

[@Venomator.]

Another great demonstration video and an impressive looking awning Jules, thank you and well done sir! A man after my own heart - instructions? What are they good for, huh! Anyway, one question, if I may, the 'skirt' all round the bottom edge of the awning - should it be inside or outside of the awning? As you seem to have some inside and some outside on your erection?... 🤔 🤪 😎

[@jomoore2161]

Can you put a bedroom annex in it?

[@HereWeTow]

Yes either side. 👍👍

[@scotiajinker8392]

Looks very roomy but way too many guy ropes, I would break my neck walking around it. Also too many inflation points. What’s the deal with 2 holes at the front? If you can’t close them the whole thing will be a sail if the wind blows hard towards the van. I’ll stick with my Kampa.

[@HereWeTow]

Hi Scotia, there are no holes at the front they are clear windows. It is very roomy and lovely and light. Kampa is also a good make but just wanted to show different options. Thanks for commenting 👍👍

[@scotiajinker8392]

Here we Tow sorry you’re right , I watched the video again , I misunderstood what you meant. Yes it looks terrific inside but all the guy ropes would do my head in.