Awning.......... OMG!

G Cherokee
G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
100 Comments
edited August 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Practice run with the awning today, typical, the windiest day for months!...

Colourcoded all poles... worked spot on.

Jules and I whizzed the awning thru the rail, fixed centre poles, and it went ok from there until we got to pegging down.

Nearest the van first, unsure where to peg these, in line with the van? at an angle? and what about those flappy bits in the corners???.

I didnt manage to peg it all down, I ran out of time, but whats the best way to approach this?

Draft skirt:--  the one that came with the awning seems to be to long, after feeding it into the rail to the stops at each end, there is a excess in the middle in front of the wheels, Do I just cut it to the right length, then fit the skirt that covers the
wheels??

Sorry about the lengthy post 

Comments

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
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    edited August 2016 #2

    I'm not sure about thr "flappy bits" we'd have to look. Is your awning the right size? The draft skirt can be cut down to size, it shouldn't fray. You will need to buy a separate cover to completely hide the wheel. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #3

    The instructions with ours say peg out at the caravan first and then the corners before filling in the rest. 

    I assume by the flappy bits you are refering to the skirts at the corners. These should be taken round the corners and overlaped and this will keep out excessive draughts.

    Ours had a seperate piece to cover the wheel but not sure all makes do the same.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #4

    Some through flow of air is good in an awning IMHO, helps prevent condensation.

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
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    edited August 2016 #5

    Thanks everyone for your comments, prize goes to Wildwood!!

    Cheers!  Happy

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited August 2016 #6

    Tyr googling Isabella awnings erection They are detailed and I think help you with the 'flaps' and how to peg in what order.

    Generally same for all awnings

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
    100 Comments
    edited August 2016 #7

    Thanks Trini, 

    You may share half the prize with Wildwood! 

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited August 2016 #8

    As for the gap above the wheel, you can buy a plastic strip which you thread your lower draft excluder through at the gap in the rail between the wheels. You then thread another piece upside-down above it (you may even get away with using the piece you cut
    off the excess for this) Some people attach the top of this to the van with poppers but that means drilling holes in the van, I use velcro on mine. Hope this helps

  • Suze Harrington
    Suze Harrington Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited August 2016 #9

    Why can't manufacturers colour code the poles in the factory?  Bradcots instruction drawing requires a Masters in Engineering to follow.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #10

    Why can't manufacturers colour code the poles in the factory?   .....

    A few of rolls of different coloured insulation tape is all you need Laughing

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #11

    Why can't manufacturers colour code the poles in the factory?  Bradcots instruction drawing requires a Masters in Engineering to follow.

    Never put up an awning, but lots of large tents over the years. Instructions usually leave a lot to be desired. What you need is a nice windless day, and as MM stated several rolls of different coloured insulation tape. You can then take your time working
    it out and write your own instructions.

  • DEBSC
    DEBSC Forum Participant Posts: 1,362 ✭
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    edited August 2016 #12

    Many awnings used over 30 years caravanning. Now we have a kampa air awning, best thing since sliced bread. Thread it through, a few pumps and its up, peg it down. Brilliant! Wish we had had one year's ago.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited August 2016 #13
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2016 #14

    I've never had an awning or tent yet that came with instructions and my last tent was a whopper with more poles than Warsaw. It was never any big deal. The tedious bit is always all the pegs. If only grass came with velcro strips.

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited August 2016 #15

    with you on that cyberyacht, I keep wondering now we have an airpro (no poles at all) why they can't make one with a skirting that you can fill with water and have no pegs either, but velcro sounds good, maybe the CC could lay it around all hardstandings!

  • Danwestgate
    Danwestgate Forum Participant Posts: 56
    edited August 2016 #16

    Many awnings used over 30 years caravanning. Now we have a kampa air awning, best thing since sliced bread. Thread it through, a few pumps and its up, peg it down. Brilliant! Wish we had had one year's ago.

    ditto that! Kampa's are awesome!

  • MJ730
    MJ730 Forum Participant Posts: 184
    edited August 2016 #17

    Yes we've just changed ours for a vango air awning much easier especially using an electric pump.

    Mike

  • trellis
    trellis Forum Participant Posts: 1,102
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    edited August 2016 #18

    with you on that cyberyacht, I keep wondering now we have an airpro (no poles at all) why they can't make one with a skirting that you can fill with water and have no pegs either, but velcro sounds good, maybe the CC could lay it around all hardstandings!

    Write your comments here...Geoff I think the idea of the water filled skirting is great, patent that before someone else does !.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #19

    Can see a couple of pitfalls to a water filled skirt - someone's got to ferry the water from tap to awning and, what happens when you spring a leak. Good idea though

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #20

    Can see a couple of pitfalls to a water filled skirt - someone's got to ferry the water from tap to awning and, what happens when you spring a leak. Good idea though

    You'd be OK on a sevice pitch and have a hose pipe Wink

  • trellis
    trellis Forum Participant Posts: 1,102
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #21

    Can see a couple of pitfalls to a water filled skirt - someone's got to ferry the water from tap to awning and, what happens when you spring a leak. Good idea though

    Write your comments here...SteveL, Nothing a good old bicycle puncture repair kit wouldn't cure , though I do think you would benefit from a grass pitch .

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited August 2016 #22

    with you on that cyberyacht, I keep wondering now we have an airpro (no poles at all) why they can't make one with a skirting that you can fill with water and have no pegs either, but velcro sounds good, maybe the CC could lay it around all hardstandings!

    Write your comments here...Geoff I think the idea of the water filled skirting is great, patent that before someone else does !.

    Write your comments here...i 'm always coming up with these ideas but the patenting process is such a pain. I've suggested the idea to Kampa and hope they remember me if they. Market it.

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited August 2016 #23

    By the way. I'm always on the lookout for a suitable lubricant to ease the awning through the rail. I usually put a drop of fairy liquid on the beading. Anyone found anything better? 

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited August 2016 #24

    wax spray polish, works a treat and lasts ages before requiring re application. I have used it on sliding doors, shower curtain rails etc

  • Clanger70
    Clanger70 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited August 2016 #25

    By the way. I'm always on the lookout for a suitable lubricant to ease the awning through the rail. I usually put a drop of fairy liquid on the beading. Anyone found anything better? 

    3-in-1 Silicone Lubricant (not the 3-in-1 oil - that is a different product)  I think that Halfords also do an own brand version.  Chris

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