Awning pegs and hard standings

grandadfatboy
grandadfatboy Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited February 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Help and advice required please.

I sustained a serious injury to my right arm 10 months ago (I'm right hand dominant), which has also left me with considerable dexterity problems in my right hand too.

I know for a fact that I will not be able to drive awning pegs into hard standings on sight. I can not move my arm to shoulder height, let alone pick up and swing a mallet. 

Between us, I'm sure my wife and I will be able to attach the awning to the caravan without too much trouble, but can anyone offer practical solutions to "pegging out" the awning without using a hammer/mallet please. We do not want this to become the obstacle that ends our touring adventures.

Many thanks. Ian

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Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #3

    Sorry to hear about your injury. I also wonder if you could manage without an awning, at least in the short term? If you feel it is essential then have thought about the systems that rely on a drill to screw in the pegs? This might be an easier option for you that trying to bang in pegs. During our last six or so years of caravanning we used a Caravanstore roll out awning, however I think you would equally struggle with one of those as it does require reaching up. I hope you find a workable solution.

    David

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #4

    If you really can't manage without the awning, you could call the site staff and explain your problem and request assistance when you arrive. I'm sure somebody would be willing to offer help in return for a brew and  biscuit or similar. 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #5

    I have tried the screw in pegs with a drill but really found them difficult and not as good as hammer in ones.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2019 #6
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  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2019 #7

    Please,  CS,  How  were  they  "Difficult "  undecided??

    When  I'm  going  to  use  pegs  on  land  that's  a  bit  'loose'  I  put  TWO  screw  in  pegs  at  90* to  the  guy or  ladder/ring,  one  to  the  left  &  one  to  the  right.  Very  seldom  have  problems  that  way.  Remembering  that  OP  has  a  Physical  problem  that  he/she  fears  could  even  limit  the  pleasure  of  'vanning,  I'm  just  thinking  of  making  life  a  little  easier  for  somebody.

     

    Deleted User,     "Overseas"  should  not  offend  anybody,  surprised,  even  venture  across  the  Great  Divide  to  Anglesey  occasionally  wink

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #8

    I'm sure if you asked someone on a nearby pitch they would help you , I would laughing, there will come the day that I will need help cool

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,061 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #9

    Agree HD, sure someone will help. Although how much they can help does depend on the HS and type of pegs being used. 

    We have used ABMs angled peg approach, usually in Cornish granite. We also make use of dry stone walls, rather than bottles, putting them carefully back together after (won’t work on Club Sites, twitchers will have you hung drawn and quartered). 

    Not having an awning shouldn’t be the end of your caravan days. It just requires rethinking and asking yourself do I really need all the stuff I store in an awning. Could a smaller amount of stuff be stored onsite in a simple pop up tent, that once the stuff is inside, is held down without pegs? Taken out and tent stored to go home. Quicker and simpler. If you need to sit under something, then a roll out awning might be the best answer. Hope you find a solution😃

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2019 #10
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  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,677 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #11

    I used screw in pegs for a while, but then went back to conventional pegs.  Perhaps I didn't do it correctly, but the difficulty I found was getting the pegs out.  They sometimes tended to take the pegging ladder with the peg and roll it around.  However, perhaps the time has come for me to give them another go - especially as I find it difficult to kneel these days, now having had two knee replacements.  I'm beginning to wonder if the problem I had was down to the type of screw in pegs I had.

    David

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,061 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #12

    Yes sorry, I meant a wind out. Still have same issue if using sides in. 

    Can your wife not knock in pegs OP?

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,677 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #13

    Absolutely agree, David.  It was Deleted User User who helped convince us to go down this route..... (sorry about the photos I have used before...)

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,677 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #14

    This is a specific question for Deleted User User - if you spot this post.  Would value your advice.  I know you have a Thule 6200.  At the bottom of the legs, there is a little hole for pegging the legs.  Do you use screw pegs for these?  If so, which do you use that might fit the hole?

    Best wishes

    David

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2019 #15
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  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited February 2019 #16

    I would certainly assist someone in the OP's situation if asked. I remember when I first started caravanning the trouble I had erecting the first awning.. I had actually given up and put it away when along came two gentlemen of great caravanning experience. Half an hour later I had an awning erected and and the knowledge of how to do it myself. If a cup of tea was on offer, even better.wink

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #17

    well you have the magic touch with them, well donesmile

    Perhaps it is just the hard standing we were on (on several club sites) and maybe grass is easier, wouldn't know hate the stuff, hope it's banned soon wink but I personally found them difficult to get them started, and not as secure as hammered in ones, but mentioned them in case the OP didn't know about them. I didn't realise I had to justify my use of the word difficult

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,677 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #18

    Yes, I use steel pegs now.  Just wondered about a screw in option.  I have just been looking at the Peggy pegs foot bracket which looks good..... but expensive.  Take a look at the bottom of the page....the feet of our downpoles will fit...

    https://www.campervanstuff.com/shop_stuff/index.php?mod=product&id_prd=1218

    See YouTube video.....

    https://youtu.be/8pv16Tx0F6U

    David

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2019 #19
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  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2019 #20

    Sorry  to  intrude,  David  DSB,  but  if  I  may  add  my  twopennorth,  the  wind-out  awning  on  my  Ducato  has  small  fold  down  'feet'  on  the  bottom  of  the  legs { bit  obvious  I  suppose }  and  these  have  small  holes  for  steel  pegs.  I  use  the  simplest  'nail  type  steel  wire  pegs  bent  at  90*  about  an  inch  from  the  hook.  Then  I  put  any  h/duty  or  screw-in  pegs  thro  the  slightly  closed  hook.  wink

  • DEBSC
    DEBSC Forum Participant Posts: 1,364 ✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #21

    Husband and I always put the awning up together. Then I always hammered the pegs in while he filled the water carriers. Once when he did it I criticised, said we had a 'floppy' awning. He said, well you do it then. That was it from then on, it worked, both happy. I'm sure your wife could do it. Sometimes it is rather hard, but with the right mallet and determination.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2019 #22

    Sorry  Corners,  I  was  not trying  to  be  awkward  but  I  wasn't  sure  if  your  problem  was  with  the  pegs  not  starting  off,  not  holding  or  some  other  problem.  embarassed

    Brian

  • Wellys and Mac
    Wellys and Mac Forum Participant Posts: 447
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    edited February 2019 #23

    I haven't done this, always wanted to try it, but never got round.

     

    Some time ago I did some work for ...., anyway for the first time I used concrete bolts. These need a pilot hole, but, this was for medium to hard grade concrete.

    I've always wondered if they would be an ideal screw in peg for the awning, because of the hard standing being more of a tight ballast I'm guessing no need for the pilot hole, so they could work.

    Only downside, well two, the bolts threads are razor sharp, and a very decent impact driver would be needed.

    I'll get round to trying them one day. 

  • NIMROD
    NIMROD Forum Participant Posts: 103
    edited February 2019 #24

    Sorry to hear of your troubles.  Last couple of years I have used a 25cm masonry drill to "start" peg holes and then knock in smooth pegs. This has been fairly successful. I have in the past used screw pegs with little success.

    I hope that someone on the forum comes up with good idea.

    Best wishes for the future

    NIMROD 

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,061 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #25

    It all makes me happy that grass is still our chosen preference. Mind you, if there’s only a few inches of topsoil, it’s still down to what’s underneath😃

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2019 #26

    A decent lump hammer is better than a mallet.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,061 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #27

    Agree. Although I doubt that all outfits could cope with the weight!🤣

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,677 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #28

    Absolutely no intrusion at all Brian.  I addressed it to David as I know he has exactly the same awning.  It sounds like you have the same get as David and I.  I quite like the idea of the Peggy pegs units in the links above your previous post.  They look really good, but expensive.

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,677 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #29

    Haven't used a mallet for years.  You can't beat a good lump hammer.

    David

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2019 #30

    I prefer a good claw hammer. Easier to swing and easy to acce;erate for maximum impact. I'm afraid that it does not aid the OP however

  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
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    edited February 2019 #31

    I'm impressed that it works so well - when I tried using jerrican sized containers of water to anchor the guy lines on my Coleman Event Shelter, on a car park in medium wind, (the event organiser told me there'd be grass to peg into!) it just dragged the whole thing around when it gusted.

    And re the OP - if the awning's essential, (we've only used ours once, as a kitchen/dining area when we had family staying with us on a site, otherwise it stays firmly at home), would some sort of DIY pile driver work? I'm thinking of something like two steel tubes, one which fitted over the peg both to hold it in place and do the actual pushing, another fitting over it telescope fashion, filled with something like concrete down to maybe half way up inside and a T handle at the top.  My theory is that one might stand and work it, probably two handed, without having to raise arms above shoulder height. This is probably an ill thought through idea with a gaping fault in it ready for someone to point out, but seems worth contemplating?
    It would also look distinctly Heath Robinson-ish, and may even attract enough attention to get bystanders to do the job for you :-)