Our First Trip in our Touring Caravan

ChaffordBaileys
ChaffordBaileys Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited July 2013 in Your stories #1

Bought a caravan and picked it up last Friday and went on our first trip Sunday.  Bought a very large Dorema Awning to go with it.  Booked to stay at Waldergraves Holiday park on Mersea Island, not too far for a first trip.  Great park for the kids and dogs.  Managed to tow the caravan and hook up ok.  Then came time to put up the awning.  6 hours later "total Fail" is there a knack to these things, and will it get better. I hope so. Had a great time anyway and can't wait to get out there again.

Comments

  • Genevieve
    Genevieve Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited August 2013 #2

    Wasn't there anyone else on site who could give you a hand?  Most people will help if you ask. Try YouTube 'How to erect a caravan awning'.  We've got a large Bradcot and can put it up in about 90 minutes.  For short weekends we take a porch awning, which
    we can erect in about 20 minutes.  Anyhow, I hope you enjoy your caravanning. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2013 #3

    Of course it will get better, I was going to say 3 hours next time but I expect you'll manage very well!!  Hope you enjoy the next holiday even more. Good luck.

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2013 #4

    I had a Dorema, it took so long to put it up and created so much 'friction' and frustration I sold it. I bought a Kampa 390. 20-30mins to erect. It has saved me a packet on the Divorce settlement. The only upside of a full Dorema is when it is up-they are
    quite stunning.

  • towseys
    towseys Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited August 2013 #5

    Hi,

    sorry to hear you had so much trouble on your 1st trip. We had a Dorema porch awning and tried putting it up for 1st time a couple of weeks ago, took 3 hours and the help of 2 lovely fellow caravanners. We caused such a scene we were recorded on video by
    said helpers lol. We came home and purchased a Isabella full awning, expensive but worth every penny. We managed to try out erecting the frame and did it in 20 mins,and is also a stunning awning.We had no arguing and no divorce threats!!  Dont let it ruin
    your next trip, most people on site will be more than happy to help, and if all else faile, worth biting the bullett and selling it , the Isabella awnings are so easy to put up as there are no rear poles to mess with. Happy caravanning.

  • Bazzy
    Bazzy Forum Participant Posts: 30
    edited August 2013 #6

    Hi there. We find the best way to put up the awning is to lay out the poles on the floor near to where they will be when the awning is erected. Then slide the awning all the way into the awning channel, Then work from the inside erecting the centre roof
    and front poles first tention the roof pole sligtly and it will stay there then eather corner front and roof poles next again slight tention same at the other corner, then it's just a matter of adjusting and positioning the the legs and pegging out. Hope this
    helps you and welcome to this wonderfull world of caravaning. We have done it for just over 40 years with 3 kids now just the two of us so I think by now we have got a bit of a idea. Trouble is we are getting older and maybe start to forget some of what we
    have picked up over the years. Good luck next trip. 

  • AWNINGHANDYMAN
    AWNINGHANDYMAN Forum Participant Posts: 57
    edited August 2013 #7

    The dreaded 'Awning' I could write a book with all the stories I have heard since start-up of my web site. Sorry folks, ALL a nightmare! Add stormy weather or dark evenings and it only gets worse.

    Now it's up, do you relax...NO! you then have to keep it up.

    I don't promise miracles with my 'Awning Handyman Support' but the only other two devices available struggle to compete.

  • tenderfoot14
    tenderfoot14 Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited September 2013 #8

    Buy a tin of spray polish, spray the rail track makes life a lot easier before feeding the awning on.

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