The SunnCamp Ultima 390 Air Super Deluxe awning is an important porch.

It was SunnCamp’s first air porch, introduced five years ago, and sold well initially, going on to be the company’s best-seller.

Tested by Val Chapman

Now, though, the popular product retains its shape and style, but SunnCamp has made it in a new type of fabric. That’s Protec, a polyester material, made especially for SunnCamp.

And, whereas the original Ultima fabric was 150-denier, the new fabric is 300 denier. SunnCamp has also made this porch in a smaller, 280cm size, and an annexe with an airframe is available (it’s about £220).

Setting Up the Awning

We get the cord into the rail of our long-term-test Bailey Unicorn Barcelona’s quickly and find the porch’s four inflation points. We also get the six separate bracing beam storm bars out of the bag ready to inflate.

SunnCamp advises us that, once inflated, many owners of this awning model keep them inflated and transport them in the caravan. But we can’t see the advantage; it takes seconds to fill these beams with air.

Inflating the Awning

In 15 pressures on the hand-foot pump, we inflated the first primary beam, and peg out the guy lines at each end so that the pointed end stands upright and we go to the second inflation point.

After 13 more pumps, inflating the second beam, the porch pops up into shape. The final two pumps take rather more effort as the beam nears full inflation. We work our way along, inflating each beam, and the porch is quickly four-square. Inflating a porch is rather fun, and is probably excellent exercise.

We get the bracing bars inflated and ease them into their positions. They are different lengths, and colour coded with tabs, so it’s obvious which one fits where.

Awning Offers

With the build nearing completion, it’s time to stand back and assess what this porch offers. On each side, triangular canopy-like sections add stability to the roof and extra shelter to the door areas nearest the caravan side.

Each door can be rolled to the side and secured with toggles and loops.

Two of the three front panels have full mesh ventilators; the windows can be rolled up to reveal them.

Storm straps come with the awning; they attach with sturdy plastic buckles. Curtains are ready-attached.

As soon as we put the bracing bars into position the roof becomes very taut.

Rear legs fit into pockets at the top of the porch close to the caravan side, to hold the padded protection pads snugly against the caravan.

An optional horizontal pole (£20) allows you to fold down the side windows for added ventilation. The pole slides into two pockets on the sides of the panel.

All three front panels can be raised to create a canopy. The poles for this purpose are an option, at £20,

There’s an air-framed annexe available, too.

And, a new feature for this year, there are rings in the porch’s roof to attach an inner tent (price is around £50.)

What's so good about air awnings?

The best-seller Ultima has evolved over the five years since its launch. Changes include increased headroom at the front of the porch, and the storm bars are now standard.

As we finish our build evaluation, we realise that air awnings aren’t just quick to construct. They’re swift and easy to pack away, too.

Deflation happens instantly. There’s a loud pop as we release the valve. The air rushes out in an instant, and the big porch is ready to draw out of the awning rail and fold away.

Verdict

This unit is large enough to be considered comparable to a full awning, with plenty of space for a table and four chairs inside.

The latest Ultima Air is a very smart awning, with two-tone grey fabric and a simple style. Its rigidity is impressive. It has a light and airy feel, with big windows all round. It’s an excellent choice for weekend use when speed is important and big enough to be considered suitable for longer stays, too.

Technical stuff

Fabric 300-denier Oxford polyester

Frame air filled

Depth 2.5m

Width 3.9m

Weight 22kg

Test location

Woodland Waters Holiday Park, Ancaster, Grantham