NW Newbies
Hello All
We've just bought our first Caravan together (Swift Canwell 2011) which we collect 30/08 and we're already booked on our first pitch for that night
The wife's a past master, but this is my first time towing a caravan, so should be an adventure if nothing else
Any advice/suggestions you might have on how to pitch & put up an awning for the first time, and still remain married at the end of it, would be greatly appreciated
So if you're stuck behind a Canwell in the NW of England, give me a toot, oh and bear with me, I'm doing the best i can 
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Hi Spark1971. Welcome to the Caravan and Motorhome Club and especially to Club Together. All the very best for when you pick up your caravan and please feel free to ask any questions on here - just look for the most appropriate section in order to get the best replies. Look forward to reading how you get on
David
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If your wife is familiar with caravanning and all it entails then you have a head start so work as a team. If you haven't towed before, consider going on a course which, if nothing else, will give you advice and tips to give you more confidence.
Regarding the awning, have a brew first and chill after the drive and then worry about the awning. If it's new or you haven't put it up before, colour code the poles (unless it's an air awning) so it'll be easier next time.
Most of all enjoy.
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I find myself less inclined to use an awning these days. This last summer we just used the roof apart from 3 days when we needed to store some of our daughter's university stuff (long story! 😀😀). When we go out of season, we don't even bother with that.
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Similar David. Your's looks great in the picture. We've only had our awning up once this year whilst away for a fortnight. Most of the time, we really can manage quite well without it so arriving and packing up is much simpler. There's only two of us (more often just me) and no children or pets.
Sparks - for your very first trip out, could you manage without your awning so you get the basics sorted without stressing and then try it with the awning next trip?
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Thanks Jill. That photo was taken last summer at a little site just outside Leeds. We couldn't have put the sides in without moving on to grass as they were concrete HS pitches - that would have made us very close to the unit next door. Spacing was all a bit odd, but a nice little site.
I agree with Jill, Sparks. I'd just get used to the van first.
David
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DSB. good setup . I would like to do the same as my wife is disabled and cannot assist with putting anything up so its me alone. is your setup fastened to the roof and what make is it. is it a wind out canopy. sorry for the questions but would love that if can manage on my own. thanks again. john.
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Hi John.
It a Thule (I think the model is 6200) and is a wind out roof. It fits on to the roof - not screwed, but fits on to a bracket which is moulded (stuck) to the roof - this way there is no worry about water ingress on the roof. Ours weighs about 31/32kg, so we upgraded the weight on our van (Just a paper exercise) to cover it.
It was supplied and installed by Rose Awnings. John Rose will travel anywhere to fit and it's all included in the price. I know John exhibits at all the major exhibitions, so no doubt he will be at the NEC in October if you want to see one in the flesh, so to speak. I think they also have a number of units with them which they can install there and then at the NEC, but am not too sure about that.
It's not cheap, but you can buy the awning (I.e. the roof) and then buy the sides later if you want. We rarely use our sides, which are a little fiddly to put up, IMHO, but produces a really substantial awning. I'll try and put a picture up of it with the sides in if I can find one. I always take a small step ladder with me when I put the sides in to help tuck the edge of the roof material into the side roof support.
Rose Awnings are here: https://www.roseawnings.co.uk
We also bought two side roof rafters, the storm straps and the centre down pole, which we always use, and it makes the roof on its own very stable. You can see the centre down pole and the storm straps more easily in the original photo above.
Feel free to ask any other questions. Hope this helps a bit.
David
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