Which awning to attach to a VW T5 and how to protect the roof from falling pinecones?

[sololite]

We are newbie campervaner's and our new campervan (VW T5) is coming later this month and we are getting ready for its first big trip later in the Summer.

We are thinking of getting an awning/tent attachment to attach to it and wondered what other people would recommend. I have seen a couple of nice looking ones on the Reimo web site but wary of buying without seeing in the flesh as it were. The van is coming with a side rail BTW.

Also, the campsite we are heading to is in a massive pine forest in South West France. We've camped there before and heard the bangs/thuds as huge pine cones drop on the roofs of campervans and cars. Again can anyone recommend a way of protecting the campervan from impact to the roof? I was thinking of taking a large blanket but I guess will be tricky with the pop top roof up.

thanks for all your suggestions.

regards,

Chris

 

[Tigatigatiger]

When we had our dear old eriba caravan we used Quechua Base Seconds Pop Up Tent as a awning-no fuss, no messing about, instant awnings without divorce proceeding!

Easy to "pop" up and eay to foldup (a bit of skill here, practise beforehand). I took the wire out of one door and added a length of awning thingy? so we could attach it to the van using a length of 8 figure plastic. You can also get bedroom for them.

 

[oldish hippy]

take it in turn to stand guard with base ball bat to stop pine cones hitting the roof lol

 

[sololite]

I am not sure I could hot anything after a bottle of red!