It has to be said that putting up the caravan awning can be the most stressful part of caravanning. We often observe mild mannered caravanners see red when the awning comes out of the bag. That said modern awning are much easier to put up these days and the extra room they provide can be very handy.
Here are some hints and tips on putting up an awning
- When putting up a caravan awning for the first time its time well sepnt reading the manufacturers instructions as some awnings require treatment before being used.
- When putting up an awning for the first time after teh winter some people suggest ribbing candle wax along the part of the awning that goes into the caravan channel as this makes it easier for the awning to slide along the caravan.
- If you have a full sized awing like the one in the picture its worth marking the poles so you know how they go together. There is nothing worse than trying to put up an awning in the wind and rain when the poles don't seem to fit together properly.
Steps in putting up the awning
- Slide the awning along the caravan rail
- Once the awning is through the channel fully, fit the awning brackets into the roof cord.
- Fit the centre vertical poles together and fit into the awning, joining the side poles to them.
- Set up the remaining roof poles and partially tension these as well.
- Zip in the front and sides
- Tension the legs to the correct height.
- Peg down the corners of the awning - use rock pegs if on a hard standing
- Fit the awning skirt along the channel at the bottom of the caravan.
- Peg down the rest of the awning.
- Put in the groundsheet