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Isabella Buddy Product Review: Perfect Fit for Thule Awnings?
What is the Isabella Buddy — and what makes it interesting?
At Isabella, the “Buddy” was developed as a flexible awning-room solution for caravans and motorhomes with wind-out canopies or roll-out awnings. As featured on our site at Rose Awnings, the Isabella Buddy is designed to give you extra living space, shelter and privacy — whether you want a closed-in room or a covered veranda-style area.
Buddy is made using Isabella’s Isacryl fabric, a robust, fibre-dyed acrylic material that stays colourfast and helps maintain a comfortable interior climate. Its clever design gives a roomy interior with front and side panels that include large windows, ventilation and insect netting for comfort.
From our decades of experience providing awning rooms, we think the Isabella Buddy offers a really good balance between practicality, comfort and ease — but there are some things to check carefully before ordering.
What we like about Isabella Buddy
Lightweight and easy to erect — comparable to Thule awning-rooms
One of the biggest advantages of the Isabella Buddy is how lightweight it is compared with many awning-rooms on the market. Yet, once set up, it feels very similar in comfort and practicality to rooms made for popular awnings such as those from Thule. At Rose Awnings we’ve found that customers appreciate the reduced weight — meaning it’s easier for one or two people to erect quickly. For many holiday situations, that ease of installation is half the battle.
Plenty of features and ventilation — a modern design
Isabella has packed Buddy with thoughtful features. The large side and front windows give a great view and create a bright, airy space. There’s top ventilation and mosquito nets in the side panels — perfect for summer use. You can even convert part of the front into a veranda using the supplied veranda-pole, giving flexibility depending on how you want to use the space (fully enclosed or partially open).
The Buddy also benefits from up-to-date design, modern fabrics and current user expectations for ventilation, comfort and flexibility.
Universal fitting for awnings with 2.50 m projection — includes Thule, Fiamma, Dometic etc.
Perhaps the most compelling attribute is the universal fitting: Buddy is designed for awnings (or canopies) with a 2.50 m projection. That means if you already own a 2.50 m projection awning from Thule (or other major manufacturers such as Fiamma or Dometic), you can often simply attach Buddy without the need for a bespoke frame or custom seams.
This universality makes the Isabella Buddy especially attractive if you want to upgrade your existing awning setup rather than completely re-do it.
Things to consider (or check carefully) before buying
Not compatible with awnings that have 2.00 m, 2.75 m or 3.00 m projections
Because the Buddy’s design is optimised for a 2.50 m projection, it will not fit awnings with significantly different projections — for example 2.00 m, 2.75 m or 3.00 m. If your van or caravan has one of those awnings, Buddy simply will not be an appropriate option. This is an important compatibility check.
Limited range of lengths — some lengths might not be available
Unlike some awning-rooms or enclosures that come in many sizes, the Isabella Buddy has a finite set of front-panel widths (front portions) and a fixed depth (matching 2.5 m projection). According to the Isabella (and retailers’) specs, front widths come in set sizes (e.g. 270, 320, 370, 420 cm) — and depending on your vehicle and canopy setup, one or more of these sizes may not suit.
If you have a non-standard awning length (or require a front width outside those offered), you may have no ideal match. So checking precise measurements and availability before ordering is essential.
Additional accessories may be needed for strength — draught skirt not supplied
While the Buddy is lightweight and easy to erect, if you want the awning-room to be sturdy — especially in windy or wet conditions — you may need to invest in additional accessories. Extra rafters, support straps and possibly additional legs might be necessary to improve structural strength and stability. Also, note that a draught skirt (to seal the bottom of the room against wind/draughts) is not supplied as standard.
Depending on where and how you plan to use Buddy — e.g. long stays, exposed pitches — this could be a worthwhile extra cost and setup time.
Is the Isabella Buddy compatible with Thule awnings (and other cassette awnings)?
Yes — in the right circumstances. The Buddy is designed with universal fitting in mind, and as long as your awning has a 2.50 m projection, the Isabella Buddy should be compatible. That includes many of the most common models from Thule, Fiamma, Dometic and other brands. At Rose Awnings we offer Buddy precisely for this kind of flexibility.
However — if your Thule awning (or other cassette awning) has a projection other than 2.50 m (for example 2.00 m, 2.75 m or 3.00 m), then Buddy is not compatible. For those awnings you would need a different type of awning-room or a bespoke solution.
Beyond projection, compatibility depends on your canopy/awning lead rail and mounting height. Because Buddy was originally designed for roll-out or wind-out canopies, some manual cassette awnings may require extra adaptations (lead rail, support structure) for a secure fit.
🗣️ Other common questions answered
Can I just buy the side-panels or must I purchase a full front + sides set?
Yes — Buddy is modular. You can purchase the side-panel set alone, and add a front-panel separately (in one of the standard widths) when required. Rose Awnings stocks the side-panel set as standard.
Will Buddy offer good ventilation and comfort for summer camping?
Absolutely. The large windows, top-ventilation flaps, and integrated mosquito nets in the side panels make Isabella Buddy a very comfortable choice for warmer weather or insect-prone environments. You can even open up the side/front panels to create veranda-style space.
Is the installation complicated? Do I need professional help?
In most cases, installation is straightforward — a big plus compared with many traditional awning-rooms. Because the Buddy is lighter and designed for universal fit, many owners can install it themselves. That said, if you want maximal strength (e.g. added rafters, straps), it can be worth consulting professionals such as us at Rose Awnings — especially for long-term / all-season use.
So, is the Isabella Buddy worth it?
The Isabella Buddy is an excellent option if you have a 2.50 m projection awning from Thule, Fiamma or Dometic and want a lightweight, modern room that’s quick to set up. Its ventilation, flexibility and universal fit make it ideal for touring and general holiday use.
Just be aware of the projection requirement, limited length options and the potential need for extra support accessories if you want maximum stability.
At Rose Awnings, we can help you confirm Isabella Buddy compatibility with cassette awnings and roll-out canopies and ensure you choose the right setup for your vehicle. Visit our Isabella Buddy page to learn more or get expert advice.
