Archive for the ‘Kela’ Tag
We’ve compiled the 2017 Vango AirBeam Drive-Away Awnings Comparison Chart to help VW Transporter owners make a more informed decision and choose the right Vango drive away awning for their needs.
All models listed below are Low connection height versions which are best suited to fit Volkswagen Transporters. If you have a lowered or slammed Bus lower than the minimum recommended connection height, it’s still possible to connect and keep the fabric taught by just splaying out the side edges of the connection tunnel.
*TOTAL AREA includes main living area, connection tunnel and porch.
**PITCHING TIME is the time it takes for a well-practised, experienced operator to pitch the awning.
For the new range go to our latest review for all current prices and bundle deals visit the Vango AirBeam Awning section of FL’s shop.
A quick overview of the new 2017 Vango AirBeam (AirAway) awning range along with a short review of the new Cruz drive-away awning. All the Vango awnings discussed below are the ‘Low’ connection height versions which are the best suited to fit VW Transporters.
The Upgrades
The ever popular Idris, bestselling Kela and awesome Galli awnings are all carried over from the 2016 season with just a minor change to the top of the connection tunnel, ‘clip-in’ as opposed to fixed front webbing straps and larger low level vents. Vango have now scrapped the roman numerals after the product names used to denote new upgrades in specification over the years, so instead of Kela II, Kela III etc… it’s just Vango Kela.
The New Galli RSV
New for 2017 is the Galli RSV (Right Sided Vehicle) which is a mirror image of the regular Galli. This awning has been specifically manufactured for left-hand-drive/twin sliding door vehicles so the front entrance porch of the awning faces out the same way as the front of your LHD Bus.
This is good news for the VDub scene as we have so many imported ‘Left-Hookers’ on the road, it’ll offer the many LHD owners the chance to get their hands on Vango’s largest drive-away awning and have it set-up in a front facing configuration. You really do need to sit and relax under your porch and reciprocate the admiring nods that the familiar front end of your Bus attracts!
Alternatively, the Galli RSV can be used with a RHD van so the front porch faces out the same way as your rear tailgate kitchen.
The New Vango Cruz
The new kid on the block for 2017 is the Vango Cruz which combines the excellent pre-angled SuperBeams and front porch of the Galli with the living area, pack size, weight and set-up time closer to that of the market leading Kela.
The design has a large windowed living area in the middle that can accommodate a double bedroom and a 140cm deep connection tunnel that can be used as a utility room which provide the same floor area as a Kela plus the sheltered porch. The pre-angled SuperBeams provide additional stability and the extra headroom allows you to maximise this bright internal living space.
Like the Galli and Kela, the Cruz is also manufactured from Vango’s market leading Sentinal Pro 420 fabric for durability and comes with the new high efficiency pump design that inflates air beams even faster with less effort and less strain on the back
The popularity of the Galli in 2016 (its first year of production) was testament to its advanced design, high spec and comfort… we expect the Cruz to join the Kela and Galli as market leaders in 2017.
Overall the new Vango awning range caters for varying uses, family sizes and budgets that the VW community demands whilst, as always, offering superb design and build quality along with the customer support that people have grown to expect from Vango.
Vango’s 2017 AirBeam range definitely gets the thumbs up from us!
For the new range go to our latest review for all current prices and bundle deals visit the Vango AirBeam Awning section of FL’s shop.
We get asked “what are the updates on the new AirBeam awnings?” and “what’s the difference between this year and last year’s AirBeam’s?” all the time here at FL – so we thought a 2015/16 Vango AirBeam Awning Comparison Chart showing specifications and dimensions would be the easiest way to answer.
We run two VW Buses ourselves so appreciate the associated running costs, we also understand that a drive-away awning is a big outlay and VeeDubbers want the best suited design for their needs. We hope this chart answers your questions and helps you make an informed decision whether you’re buying new or upgrading from an older model.
The Vango AirBeam Awnings shown in the chart below are past and present Funky Leisure stock that are the most compatible with VW Transporter Vans. Use this comprehensive AirBeam comparison chart to compare RRP’s and colours through to pack size and total living area on past and present Vango drive-away awnings.
For an up to date Vango AirBeam Drive-Away Awning Brochure email your address to info@funkyleisure.co.uk with ‘AirBeams’ as the subject title or visit our Vango AirBeam Awnings section to buy online with free next day delivery.
We hope this information has been helpful.
The FL Team
For the new range go to our latest review for all current prices and bundle deals visit the Vango AirBeam Awning section of FL’s shop.
Overview of the 2015 Vango AirBeam Awning Range
Vango Kela-II AirBeam Awning
Vango spent 12 years developing and testing their innovative inflatable AirBeam technology before introducing it to their tent range and then rolling it out a couple of years later in 2013 into their AirBeam vehicle awnings and thus revolutionising the drive-away awning market. So it’s fair to say that this ground-breaking awning range is truly tried and tested.
The Vango-Kela II – Inflatable AirBeam Awning is just one of the 2nd generation of AirBeam vehicle awnings that Vango are introducing for the 2015 camping season. The Kela and Sapera have plenty of updates and are now known as the AirAway Kela-II and Sapera-II (2). The range has also been extended to include the Idris (a budget version of the Kela) and a completely new luxury design with weather proof porch – The Vango Attar 380.
We first tested the new Kela II back in October 2014 in our SW London showroom, attaching it to our 79’ VW Bay Window and our Volkswagen T5 Kombi fitted with our low-profile C Channel awning rail. The dimensions, tunnel height, connection options and sleeping compartment configuration of the Kela II and Sapera II are all the same as the earlier 2013/14 versions, so we had no problem connecting the Kela to either Transporter.
AirBeam Kela II – New Features for 2015
Kela-II Tunnel Entrance Door
Additional Awning Tunnel Doors
The first obvious 2015 upgrades are the additional doors on each side of the awning tunnel which we think work really well as it saves walking through the awning (and stepping over two entrance thresholds) every time you need to get something from the bus… usually a beer from the fridge or another bottle of van rouge!
This convenient feature will not only save time, it will also save a lot of unnecessary spillages, wear and tear, etc… and is an even more important update if you have dogs or kids with muddy paws trying to walk through the awning every 10mins!
The two additional entrance doors will also offer much needed air circulation in the van and awning on hot summer days.
AirSpeed Valve in Higher Position
AirSpeed Valve System
Another main feature of the 2015 Airbeams is Vango’s new AirSpeed valve system. Each valve is now located on the outside of the AirBeam with a weatherproof rain cover which eliminates any fiddling with zips at ground level and possible twisting of the valves on the AirBeam. The new valve has also been repositioned at a convenient 86cm above ground level.
AirSpeed Valve with Rain Cover
The AirSpeed valve is also easy and even quicker to operate. The clever valve locking cap means no more screwing or unscrewing of the valve body and no chance of cross-threading, just a simple half turn to open and close… a quick twist will deflate the AirBeam in seconds.
Tension Band System – TBS II
Vango developed these patented TBS stabilising straps quite a few years back and once again, this clever system has been tried and tested on their tents over many seasons. The webbing straps are attached halfway up the inside of the AirBeams and stowed in a side pocket and can be engaged by just connecting into the top central clip. When connected, these cleverly design straps form a strong ridge shape that keep the AirBeams stable in extreme weather conditions.
We have only ever felt the need to use this unique system a couple times in the past when very strong gusty winds were blowing in from the side… the strap only took a few seconds to connect and performed well, keeping the awning firm and stable. On the downside, in dim light, it is easy to forget the straps are there and walk into them!
The new Kela II now has the TBS II system fitted on both AirBeams as opposed to just the front which offers increased stability.
Vango weather test all their tents including all four models of the Airbeam drive-away awning at an independent wind and rain test centre to ensure they can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Other New Features
It seems Vango have also spent a lot of time working on some of the smaller details to further improve this innovative awning range. The Excalibur grey colour is complimented with a 50cm high black band running along the bottom edge with a white reflective strip where the two colours meet. The orange guylines have been replaced by grey guylines with reflective stitching running through them, which combined will make the awning more hi-vis with less trips.
The yellow plastic T profile pegs have been upgraded to steel rock pegs which perform much better in harder ground… although we do recommend using a peg-pull with these – because it’s so much easier to bang them in deeper without breaking or bending, they can sometimes be slightly harder to remove (never use the webbing D ring to pull pegs out as it WILL break under the strain).
Summary
Vango Kela-II connecrted to a VW T5
Overall Vango have built on this tried and tested AirBeam technology and combined with some excellent updates, have taken the second generation of AirAway inflatable awnings to the next level by making the new AirAway AirBeam awnings even easier and quicker to inflate.
We have had so much use from our original 2013 AirAway Kela including many VW festivals, Glastonbury, general camping weekends etc… without any problems and it’s still looking really good. Although the price tag is slightly higher than last year, Vango seemed to have listened to customer feedback and retained the best parts of this tried and tested awning range while adding some great new features – we still think these rapid pitch AirAway awnings remain the best drive away for VW Transporters!
Although the marketplace has seen a few more manufacturers doing away with poles and introducing inflatable systems into their drive-away awnings over last season, we feel that the Vango AirBeam range is the most reliable as they have been using this technology for over a decade now. Also, out of all our suppliers, Vango’s customer service department is second to none, offering an excellent after-sales service… which is nice to know just in case you ever should have any problems.
Reviewed by the Funky Leisure Team – November 2014
…If you live anywhere near, or ever travel down to the South-East, call into our Twickenham showroom in SW London to see the Vango AirBeam Kela II connected to a VW T5 as well as lots of other VW campervan gear, awning rails, awning connection kits and other funky camping gear!
For the new range go to our latest review for all current prices and bundle deals visit the Vango AirBeam Awning section of FL’s shop.
