Newbies: advice on best awning erection method
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Corners - I was talking to Liam Guest - the North of England Sales Manager for Kampa, at the National, last week. Their new pump is a vast improvement on the old 'Breeze' which took about 20 minutes to inflate the awning. They recognised its failings, hence the new pump - which, as you say, is very compact. I bought the BP12 when the Breeze was the only other option and their new pump is on a par with what I have. My pump is about 8"x3"x3", so quite small, really.
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there's a lot to be said for that
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We’ve seen some good advice here, along with unknowledgable opinions re air awnings. We have both types, so maybe we can talk from experience. But first, the best from the above. If you’ve had a long journey then leave it until you’ve rested, maybe the next day.
Air is definitely much heavier than poled, and a large Kampa And AIr Pro can be very heavy indeed. Nowadays we lay ours on the ground and start threading from the lower, yes lower, flare in the rail. It means that a longer pull is required, but avoids the physical strain involved in starting higher up. And of course the basic shape is achieved more quickly with poles, it’s silly to imagine otherwise. About 28 manual pumps will inflate our 390.
When erecting our poled awning, also Kamps Pro fabric, we lay the poles out in front, in a pattern which reflects their final location. If you erect the centre first, then temporarily use two guy ropes to keep it upright, you can both work on the opposite front corners simultaneously, once again using temporary locations for the guy lines. Now fit any roof stretchers and begin to reposition your temporary pegs and tighten up the structure. It helps enormously if you both fully understand what needs to be done, can work independently, but join forces when needed. What seems to cause most friction is a husband who is struggling, shouting unclear instructions at his wife, who doesn’t know what ‘they’ are trying to achieve.
In summary; For a poled awning. both of you need to understand what is to be done. Take a methodical approach, starting in the middle and use temporary guy ropes for initial support. For an air awning, both people still need to understand what’s being done and how, assisting each other for heavy lifts/ pulls.
Finally, don’t underestimate the complications and time taken to peg out. We use a battery drill and Kampa heavy pegs for the main points and thinner, home made screw pegs (Screwfix screws and collars) for the lesser places. On hard ground you will need to hammer them in part way to get the screws started. But screw pegs really come into their own when removing them from hard ground. No more judicious levering, fulcrums and aching arms.
Things will get better with practice I’m sure.
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