Isabella Deluxe T@B 400 Sun Canopy from Allpro Adventures

ChrisFix

Just received and did a driveway setup of the Isabella Deluxe T@B 400 canopy. 
First install without looking at any directions took about 15 mins doing it by myself.  I imagine it will be half that next time.
So far, I'm very pleased with how it fits and looks. A few other members had commented on how this particular awning was the sturdiest of the bunch, and that was a big factor in my decision to purchase - and I'm not at all dissapointed. It is very nicely constructed, and does indeed seem extremely solid when assembled.
There isn't a ton of info about these that I found, so if anyone has any questions, just let me know.

NoVaGuy

Set mine up last weekend.  It is great.  

Denny16

Thanks, we are also considering this canopy.  How far does it come out from the TaB?  It looks grand setup on he trailer.
cheers

ChrisFix

@Denny16
It is 6' deep. In my photo, it is facing due south with a high noon sun pointing straight into it...and still manages a nice 3' wide patch of shade. And I really like (and wanted) the open sides...It can get very hot under a closed canopy.
The visor type awnings are certainly easier to setup and haul around, but this is one of the few that actually makes some real shade from the research I've done. 
Everything has that pros & cons list!

TNOutback

Elwell Corp is also a distributor of these, and they will sell direct over the phone.  I priced one from them, but decided to wait and consider the inflatable one from Walker.  Will probably settle on the Isabella though.

rfuss928

ChrisFix
Very nice!  Ours is on its 10th season and still in very good condition.  It pitches straight and tight every time.  I think you will be very satisfied.  BTW - It still takes me about 15 minutes even after years of practice. but I'm old, slow and in no hurry.
Have fun!
Bob

ChrisFix

TNOutback said:

Elwell Corp is also a distributor of these, and they will sell direct over the phone.  I priced one from them, but decided to wait and consider the inflatable one from Walker.  Will probably settle on the Isabella though.

I saw a post yesterday by a member who had just ordered the inflatable canopy...
I was torn on which to get, but made a decision that the Isabella seemed like a sturdier build...and puncture proof!!

ChrisFix

@rfuss928
Your canopy looks great! It's nice to know it has that kind of longevity too.
I'll work on my assembly timing and let you know how I make out! 

TNOutback

@ChrisFix I agree with your decision, especially after watching the Walker European setup video and all of the guy lines that have to be deployed to anchor it down and keep it taut from the camper.

kellyw

@ChrisFix - it looks great. Have you tried it in the wind and do you feel that the quality is worth the price? Also is it waterproof? I have a beautiful visor by DotyHillDesigns but it’s for the 320 I’m selling. I know I can still use on 400 although without as much coverage - so I was looking at the Isabella canopy as a replacement - but it would need to be completely waterproof and sturdy in wind for me to splurge on the awning. Are there guy lines or just the straps needed to hold it in place?

ChrisFix

@kellyw
Worth the price is a tough one for me to answer - as I think all the available canopy solutions are a bit over priced for what they are. But I also get that the volume on these are really small, and they have to make a profit.
That being said, I give an enthusiastic recommendation on the quality and fit of the Isabella. I truly don't think there is a better canopy for the 400.

I have not actually had it out in the rain yet - so I can't tell you about water-proofness. It does seal to the camper completely via the keder, so I don't think you'll have any water there, and it is a heavy canvas which should shed most if not all water...and it has much larger coverage than a visor, so that should help too.

The two uprights have a foot to peg them down - which is all I've used so far - and it hasn't budged an inch with just that - but again, I've had limited use so far and no major wind.
It does come with 3 guy lines (both ends and one for the center front edge), which I understand anecdotally keep it fully planted even in very strong winds.
The design has horizontal poles supporting the canopy from the keder to the front of the canopy, and assembled is very sturdy and the canvas is tighter than any other design currently available, which I really like. 

Also, All Pro Adventures is a very solid company to deal with. Would buy from them again without hesitation.

kellyw

Thanks @ChrisFix! I agree the options are all a bit pricey and like you said, there’s not a huge market so I get they’ve got to make it worth the price to manufacture. Can you tell where it’s made?

ChrisFix

@kellyw
I haven't seen a "made in" tag on it...but the printed material seems like it is imported from EU...it's in many languages. 
It is a quality build, wherever it is made.

Dutch061

They are from Europe as per their website. They are partnered with ElWell.

Tundra57

@ChrisFix Looks great. Unfortunately I purchased the walker awning when I got my Tab and  I have yet to put it up. I camp alone and I dont think I can pull the canvas through the rail on my own. I made up a pulley which fits in the rail and by using a rope through the pulley clamped to the canvas with tarp clamps, I hope to be able to pull the canvas through the rail by pulling on the rope and feeding into the rail at the back. Have not tried yet. Your awning looks like it would be much easier for one person to set up.

ChrisFix

@Tundra57
I have no problem putting the Isabella up by myself...but I'm a bit over 6' tall and that helps. Much shorter than that and you would want/need a step stool or similar to be able to reach the middle horizontal brace.

Also, I'm able to feed the entire canopy into the keder from the back of the 400 - just pushing it into the track, with no need to pull from the front edge- so that does help with a one person install as well.

TNOutback

The Isabella is from a Danish company, and as Dutch061 said, Elwell is the US Distributor.  You can purchase from Allpro, or buy direct from Elwell.

Tundra57

@ChrisFix, when its really sunny and hot, being as the temp control is near to door, it struggles to maintain temp. in shade that side its fine. So I think an awning that side would really help. 

Stephene1212

I have had the Isabella out in really big thunder storms and it has neve leaked at all.  

ChrisFix

Stephene1212 said:

I have had the Isabella out in really big thunder storms and it has neve leaked at all.  

I had not used my Isabella in the rain until just the past couple of days in the Blue Ridge Mountains (where Fred is making this a very easy test)...and I also had no leaks after a soaking, non-stop 18 hours of rain. First time I've been able to grill outside in the rain and be completely dry - was quite the treat!!

Verna

I had the “opportunity” to try out my 320 Isabella awning in a Colorado Monsoon thunderstorm. I would have left it up, but the ground was so soaked from previous storms that the three 8” tent pegs driven in at different angles could not hold the one leg down. I even had two 2.5 gallon water jugs filled with water strapped to the one leg. The other leg was strapped to a heavy picnic table on the concrete patio and that leg was not moving. 

Watching the one leg moving I decided to take the Isabella down. It took two of us to dismantle the Isabella and throw it into the truck (yes, it got dried up after daylight). 

So, the Isabella would have withstood the 50 mph (estimated) if I could have used 18” long nails. (The campground had an irrigation system and I didn’t know where the pipes were.)

And, the underside of the Isabella was dry—it is waterproof.