ISABELLA BUDDY CANOPY AWNING First Impressions | Do We Like It ? | Vlog 568
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- We purchased an Isabella Buddy Awning whist at the February Motorhome Show and finally got good enough weather to be able to try it and give our first impressions of the awning.
WEBSITE: www.isabella.net/uk/for-motor...
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
02:14 Roll out the canopy
02:43 What's in the bags
04:45 Prepare to build the awning
05:40 Building the awning
09:25 Walk around the awning
14:30 Using different configurations
19:50 Storing the awning in the van
20:45 Conclusions and costs
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Thanks for watching our videos. We include all things to do with motorhomes, campervans, van conversions, caravans and the great outdoors. We mainly tour the UK and camp around 80 nights per year in our 2021 IH Motorhomes N-680 CRL luxury VW Crafter van conversion. We offer advice, tips and tricks, review campsites and associated products or services. We also occasionally make videos about other trips we take without the motorhome.
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We aim to release 4 or more videos a month.
VW Crafter Van Conversion - IH Motorhomes N-680 CRL (2021)
Towed Car - Skoda Citigo (2016)
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Equipment used for filming:
Camera1 - Sony ZV1 with shooting grip, Ulanzi wide angle lens and Rode Go II wireless microphone system
Camera2 - Canon PowerShot G7X MkII
GoPro Black 7 with Rode mike and Ulanzu mini tripod
SmartPhone - iPhone 14 Pro Max
Mini Tripod - GoPro Black 3-Way Arm - GoPro Mini - Ulanzi hand grip tripod
Tripod - Neewer Portable 70 inches / 177 centimetres Aluminium Alloy Camera Tripod
Dashcam - NextBase 212 Lite
Thanks, we love following you and your travels and appreciate your advice on the Buddy. Best wishes x
Thanks so much 💙 really appreciate your support 👍🏻
It's very interesting, like a improved Fiamma privacy room that actually works properly. 😂
We are impressed and it’ll be good for those trips when we want to sit out with friends and play Rummicub 😂 Safe travels 🚐👍🏻 Trev
Very cool awning/room.. really adds more space to your rig set up. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, it’s not going to be used every trip but it will give us many more opportunities to socialise with groups of friends in the UK weather 😃 We love that it provides more space under cover and shelter from the wind too 👍🏻 Safe travels 🚐 Trev
we want one ! love it , great review trev and sue , good to see CJ making an appearance 👍😀
Thanks guys, CJ is looking forward to lots of trips with us this year. I might get him to help put the awning up 😂😂 Trev
I'm loving that awning it's brilliant 👍
Thanks Debs and Tony. I definitely need awning pegging and awning tidy lessons from Tony 🤣 I’ll pop over to Donkey Creek for a crash course 👍🏻 See ya na bit 🤣🤣 Trev
Hi Trev and Sue, looks a very nice awning and will keep the canopy more secure. Loved the review very well explained, thank you for sharing x Julie and Tony x
Thanks guys, we are pleased with it. Packs away small and does different jobs as well as being an awning 😃 Trev
Having been on a rally at the weekend and a couple of longer stays I can see the advantage of an awning - when I had a caravan it was a game changer. Ironic as have been pondering getting one and then your video popped up 😀
Hope you’re having a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.
All the best, David & Rachel 👍
We wanted something substantial that we can put up rather than a drive away or a pop up. Tried both with limited success so thought this would be good for 3 night or longer stays 😃 We will see over time 😃👍🏻 Trev
That certainly gives you a great outdoor space…for parties 😁 I’m sure it will get easier every time you use it. Nice review. It looks really nice. Good to see both of you. Take care, my friends 💕😊
Thank you, we will definitely be able to entertain and have coffee and cake in the new awning 😀👍🏻 Trev n Sue
Nice one Trev and Sue
Very tempting. Looks a really good awning - look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
It’s one of those things that we have managed without for years but thought, why not 😃 I think it’s going to be occasional use but I can see us doing a little entertaining in there with a few drinkies 😉 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping 😃
Hi Trev n Sue. Hope all is well. That looks a very multifunctional awning. It does look very well made. We have their windbreak and were impressed with the build quality. Good look with the magnets. Thanks for sharing. Phil🙂👍
Thanks Phil, putting up awnings always did challenge the mind and marriage 🤣 Now I find it a physical challenge too. My bones ache today 🤣🤣 Trev
Very nice demonstration 👍
Thank you Roni, needed a drink after that 🤣👍🏻 Trev
Very nice canopy, it is very versatile with all the different options. I am sure once you use it more the set up process will become shorter indeed. Have a great day!😊
Hi JoJo, we need more practice. I needed a lay down after putting that new awning away 🤣🤣 Trev
I’ve been looking forward to seeing your new awning and I’m impressed with your initial review. I like that you don’t have to do any drilling which is interesting because on the specific Thule awning and wind breaks you do, I think the tension poles are much better. I’m really interested to see how you get on with it over the summer because it’s certainly something I would consider. As always, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Hi Sylvia, thanks for your comments. We think we will use this for example, on sites with friends if we are staying for 3 nights. Better for entertaining in summer than cramming in the van with dogs 😀 Will do an update at the end of the season 😃🚐👍🏻 Trev
You really cant beat Isabella for quality, its a fab privacy room the nicest I’ve seen ❤
Thank you 😊 we shopped around and felt that this was the best and offered the most options 👍🏻🚐😃 Trev
Well that certainly covers all bases - looks fab and super quality. Ideal as an additional room too for when you’re in the same spot for a few days. I certainly need to buy a sun canopy, as the roll out awnings alone don’t give that much shade - other than when the sun is directly overhead. I’m well impressed you / Sue managed to get everything to fit back into the bags 👍👏🤣 Oh and ‘hello Joe’👋 Another great review, thanks. Dare travels, Debs x🚐
Thanks Debs, the Isabella really suits the IH Van. We can’t wait to use it as a sun room when we are on a site. Admittedly it’s work and does keep the van glued to a pitch but we love the space for entertaining 😉🚐👍🏻 Trev
Exactly, Isabella is quality and design. It's in budget, I'd always go for Isabella. Very interested to see the Buddy in action. We're considering a Thule canopy for the caravan and are weighing up privacy rooms/awnings. So a timely vlog. Thanks for sharing..
We had a Fiamma Privacy Room many years ago on our caravan but it was a new concept then and wasn’t particularly well made. We thought it was time to give this option a try again to make extra space for socialising and storing our bikes etc. We don’t think we will use it on every trip with a van conversion but we will do an update later in the season 😉👍🏻🚐 Trev
the most versatile awning so many configurations smart looking too issabella are one off the biggest names in awnings they make them easy to install 1st time is always a bit like theh crypton factor so many bits to configure you done well and what great weather too all the best donny
It was a great day for testing an awning. I guess the true test is when it rains 🤣 See you soon my friend 🚐👍🏻 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping looking foward to it
Well done both of you. Nothing is ever easy first time round but you'll soon be putting it together in no time. One suggestion - rather than rolling the sides up as Sue did, roll it under and that way, if it rains the rain will run off rather than into the rolled up part.
Thank you, that’s a great suggestion. It’s a long time since we have had a nice quality awning so it’ll be a real treat to sit inside. 😃🚐 Trev
Hi Trev and Sue , we didn't know this product existed, the concept has always interested us when we saw that Fiamma had version of sorts a few years back , but we never had much success with Fiamma products but Isabella have always done us proud. Viewing from Saltzburg having just turned West for home , see you in a couple of weeks. Helen and Martin
It’s a beautifully made thing and we think it’s what we were looking for. Hopefully you will see it when you get back. Safe travels 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev
A great awning, Isabella not the cheapest but definitely the best, will last many years. ⛺️⛺️
Thank you, we thought that too. We will use it occasionally and enjoy it on sites where we are staying for a few nights. 😃🚐 Trev
Well done on getting your canopy out and not breaking it 😂. It’s a very nice awning (definitely better than a quest pop up tent). Look forward to seeing it in person at some point 👍🏻🍺 xx
We love it. Granted, it takes a bit of work and we will only use it when static on a site for a while but very pleased with the quality 👍🏻😃🚐 Trev
Looks great Trevor, takes up a bit of space though, great for if you’re going to be sited for a week or more though 😎 Thanks, Em 💜
Totally agree Em. We are hoping we can enjoy some outside time and sit out like we used to with our caravan 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping perfect for that & once up, you can store some bits in it too 💫 Em 💜
Well it might be more work than I would like to deal with putting it up, but I does look very nice and I'm betting it will be quite nice to have. I truly love that it attaches to the van like an extra room. I kept thinking it's like a cool little sun room for your camper. Even though it might be a little more work than I like to do LOL, I think it would be kind of cool to have one on our cargo. Hmmm. Wonder if they make anything like that which might work for our set up. Might have to check into that. Thanks for sharing. Hope it does well for you for a very long time.
There are many types of awning and you may find a pop-up would be more convenient for you and easy to store in your cargo trailer. There are so many choices now 😃👍🏻 Trev x
Very interesting looks well, a customer of ours has told us about this awning last week, they have the same one, if you use a figure of 8 on the front, you can use the Flexi-Shades on the front as well, as another combination.
Paul
Flexi-Shades
Hi Paul, I carry the Flexi-shades in the van all the time. They are so light and easy to store. We have found some figure 8 tracking in the garage so will definitely use them together with the awning. Thanks for your comments 👍🏻😃🚐 Trev
Hi Trev & sue just watched this vlog
. Great comprehensive guide on all the layout’s and how to put it together .
I’ve also been looking at this Isabella set up along with the 2023 version of Fiamma’s new look privacy room . Still undecided which i prefer how have you got on with the Isabella buddy any feedback on it would be appreciated thanks Mark
I am really pleased with the Isabella Buddy. We have used it half a dozen times this summer. It’s mainly used when we are on a site for 3 nights or if we are wanting to store things under cover or sit outside with friends. It’s more expensive than the fiamma equivalent but we think it looks better and has many more options, zips, veranda pole, mud skirting is better, spring mechanism to secure the ends is better. In very wet weather it didn’t leak but the water ran under the mud skirting in places (this would happen to any awning though) the fabric of the Isabella is high quality and the zips are really sturdy. Like you, we looked at numerous options and even though the cost of the Buddy seemed excessive, it can be used on any of the different manufacturers’ canopies and therefore we can take it with us to our next van if/when we change it. 🙂 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping thanks Trev appreciate the feed back keep the great blogs coming 👍👍
Very interesting concept,any feedback on the stability when the wind blows
Very pleased with it. The spring poles at each end of the canopy are very tight (adjustable) and the pegging around the base is pretty well spaced and doubled up on the corners. We established where the magnets go on the top of the walls and they close the gap between the end walls and the roof. We didn’t have a gale but gusty breeze and it performed really well. We attached a skirt to the underside of the van. We experienced heavy persistent rain and no leaks. Video out on Friday 19th May with an update 👍🏻😃 Trev
OMG Trev & Sue there is no way Gray would even think about putting an awning up! Over the years we have had 2. The first he ended up giving away!!! The second he put in the bin (in temper) on a campsite bin!! 🤬🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣 We have had some stinking awnings over the years. I know how you feel but this one is going to be for special occasions when we have good reason to put it up to entertain our besties 😉👍🏻 Roll on the summer !! 😃🚐 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping i would like to be one of your besties! 🤣🍷
Hi Trev & Sue, we’re looking for an awning option for our Renault Master based campervan with a Thule Omnistor. What are your thoughts on the Isabella Buddy after a year. Have you used it much? What are the pros & cons vs other options? Really enjoy your channel. Many thanks Pete & Nicky x
We only use our Buddy if we are on a campsite for 3 or more nights. It’s a beautifully made, quality product but has a matching price tag. We love it and have used it 4 or 5 times in a year. It is good in bad weather and because you use the Thule canopy, this reduces the weight. Ours is the medium size one and weighs 27 Kg. Don’t regret buying it as it’s possible to use any combination of sides and front. You need a matching size ground sheet as the mud skirts are long and they tuck nicely under the groundsheet. Other pros, needs no fixings added. Cons, magnets on roof hard to fit so we don’t bother as they make little difference. Total cost with sun screen was £1600 so we didn’t buy the curtains which were another £250. Hope that helps 😃👍🏻 Trev
Many thanks for the info Trev & Sue, we’ve always loved the quality of Isabella and it seems a flexible alternative if we’re on site a few days. Happy travels! Pete & Nicky
Let's see over the season how many times you use it. I will be watching
I don’t think we will use it much but when we do it will be for socialising with friends or storing our bikes etc. it’s unlikely that we will put the whole awning up unless we are on a site for 2 nights or more. It’s been difficult to enjoy time with groups of 5 or more inside the van like we used to with our coach-built motorhome or caravan. So we thought we would give this option a try. Thanks for watching, we value your opinions 🙂👍🏻🚐 Trev
Fab review of what looks like a great bit of kit. My only concern is whether it would cope in adverse conditions. Clearly not for storm force but do you and /others think it would be ok to leave in up in our normal ( if there is such a thing ) British conditions. It would in my view be too much work to put up and down daily. Would you leave it up overnight for example?
I think this is probably a fair weather awning Phil, we liked it because we will carry less weight and it gave us a number of options. I don’t think it would stand up to a gale like a normal Isabella awning would but should be significantly better than just having a canopy up on its own. It’s going to need close monitoring in windy conditions that’s for sure 🙂👍🏻🚐 Trev
Many thanks Trev very helpful.
Thats a lot of money for essentially 3 sides!. But one question I would have, concerns the wet weather performance. For myself, when using a roll out canopy in the rain, I have always dipped one end significantly to prevent pooling. I imagine that this would not be practical once the full awning was set up?
Yes, we did have a little drop to one end, just enough to allow the rain to run off. We wind the canopy out then take it in 1/4 turn so it is taught. This prevents pooling on the roof. You can also fit a rafter pole in the centre of the roof to stop sagging. We had torrential rain on the Saturday during the coronation and no leaks or issues with the awning. I totally agree with you about cost. It’s a huge amount of money that can only be justified by the quality and design of the product and the number of times we use it. That remains to be seen in practice 😃🚐 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping thank you.
Trev mate this thing is a pure faff 😂😂
You are telling me 🤣🤣 Three hours of the Krypton Factor 🤣🤣 Happy wife, happy life 😉 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping I actually sent that before you said a lot of faffing aboot lol 😆
Dear trev & sue looks a nice thing BUT could you tell me where the park home site is p!ease as we're on a park home site in Scotland and are possibly looking to.move back to England,saw you at ferry meadows but didn't meet all the best Andy and ann
Hi Andy, this development is only 3 years old and is now completed. It’s beautiful there. The team have other local projects ongoing so if you email me, I will put you in touch rather than in these public comments 😀 Email camping@poshcats.com and I’ll speak to Sheila for details. 👍🏻😃 Trev
It looks good but I just wouldn’t have the patience especially as I’d have to do it on my own.
Yes, it's quite a bit of work and I wouldn't want to do it on my own. I think we will use it when we know we will be socialising with friends or if we need a bit of protection from the weather. And if we are constantly on the move, it will stay in the locker ! 😀 Thanks for your comments 👍Trev
How are you finding the buddy. Thinking of getting one so interested in your experience with it in the real world.
We have used it three times now and we find it very straightforward and the quality is excellent. It’s really well designed and well made. We use a ground sheet to cover the mud skirts. We used it in heavy rain and there were no issues at all. Overall opinion is that it’s expensive but we think it’s worth it. Looks classy on the van and we anticipate we will get a good few years out of it 😃👍🏻 Trev
Thanks Trev. Agree it looks fab on your van.
@@philiprobson313 thank you 😊
Do you still like this awning 🤔🚍⚓️🇬🇧
Yes we used it 4 times this season and really like it. We only put it up if we have friends with us so we can socialise and normally we use it when we are parked for 3 nights or more. It’s going to be used again in May when we are on a bank holiday rally weekend 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev
Seems like a lot of gaffafel to me. Also significant weight to carry. Would drive me crazy!
Certainly not an accessory for everyone. We will find it useful when summer socialising as there’s not space for more than 4 in the van conversion. But I can’t see us using it on road trips 🙂🚐 Trev
Trevor not sure ud my set up but can hardly hear you just Sue
It’s stereo sound so you may only have your left channel working so you can hear Sue. The right channel has my voice. I have checked the sound both are active on the video. 😃 Trev
What a faff motorhomeing is traveling around few stops here and there, may as well get a caravan. Hope it was free. My mind boggling me why. Complete madness
Thanks for your opinion. I highlighted our reason for purchasing this in my other reply to you. Yes, we paid for it with our own money earned by us working in proper jobs for 40 + years. I was an engineer and project manager, Sue was a Nurse and still works a few shifts each month because the NHS is desperate for her skills. We like having a small vehicle. We have tried many other options since we started caravanning together in 1984. I don’t think it’s madness to do what we want when we want before it’s too late do you? What’s your outfit like? Perhaps we like different styles of camping but it doesn’t in my opinion mean that I am right and you are wrong, we are just different 🤷🏼♂️ Safe travels 🙂 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping yes Trev we are all different and are allowed to choose and do what we want to do, it's nothing against your choices but I don't get it with awnings on campers or motorhomes that's not what there for, there for stopping and moving on, that's my opinion but everyone to there own. Rapido 709ff. We have Lillie pad wind blockers, fits in a 10 inches bag no weight, takes minutes to add it to windout. Thanks for your reply and I do like the videos. All the best to you Trev and Sue. Cheers Sean 👍🏻
@@slfbs thanks Sean, totally get it. Sounds like you have a nice comfortable outfit. We are slowing down the pace with our camping now. More nights out but fewer miles covered. It suits me better as the sole driver. Take care, we will report back with our findings and let you know how it goes. 👍🏻🙂 Trev