How To Set Up A Caravan Canopy

Once y'all've been through the process of choosing your awning, and hopefully armed with a footling cognition of the prodcut y'all've purchased, it's time to test it out. To help relieve you some time, we've put together this quick guide on how to put up a caravan awning.

Earlier putting up an canopy

Make sure the awning channel is open up all the fashion along and there are no sharp projections which may tear the material
If the awning channel gap has collapsed at any bespeak (it should be 3.5mm wide + or 0.5mm), open it up gently with a piece of wedge shaped woods, or use an awning rail spreader
Sharp projections tin be filed down with sandpaper or emery lath
If the awning channel is badly damaged, a caravan dealer can supercede the complete strip

Putting up your awning

Each awning has its own mode of going up then always read the user instructions advisedly all the fashion through earlier erecting for the kickoff time. Call back the kickoff fourth dimension volition be the trickiest, and so practice not despair! Although it can be washed single-handedly with a bit of practise, realistically information technology's a two-person chore – especially in high winds.

Starting time thread the awning string through the channel, starting at the stop or one of the widened entry points. The easiest style is to accept one person feed the awning cord in at the start point (ordinarily the rear end of the caravan is best), and the other helps it forth to the end (unless that person is tall a stride will be needed). Never force the awning - lubricants are available to assist thread through a particularly stubborn canopy.

Once the awning is completely through and positioned centrally where you want, exit information technology hanging and sort out the poles. Identify them in the advisable position alongside the caravan and accept a run through to ensure everything fits together. Leave the legs retracted to make life easier.

Start past creating the center apex, attach the centre roof pole to the caravan, connect this to the heart leg pole and adjust the leg superlative to the desired superlative. Repeat this procedure under the canvas and finally tension the whole lot in small steps and evenly throughout.

If it is windy beware gusts that come up and nether the awning roof – this is the most probable time the awning will blow over the top of the caravan. If very windy it is appropriate to accept the awning down birthday.

Add together the guy ropes equally soon as possible and tension as recommended. Peg out the mudwall/skirt starting nearest to the caravan and drive the pegs at an bending to go the best grip in the soil. Take the strain off zips by cross pegging at the base of operations. Finally add the draught skirt, wheel arch encompass (if carve up) and curtains.

Taking your awning downwardly

Reverse the process but remember that equally soon as y'all slacken off some poles others will immediately decide to collapse so brand sure someone grabs them before they damage the caravan sidewall or windows.

If the poles are damp, wipe them downwardly before putting away and if the awning is wet, dry out it out at the earliest opportunity. Never leave more than 24 hours in this condition. Even if the weather is notwithstanding wet, it would be improve to put the canopy back up in the rain than exit it packed wet.

Care and maintenance

The gilded dominion is never to pack an awning away when wet or even slightly damp, or mildew will result. It should be stored in a dry, well-aired place; the caravan is fine in summertime but also damp for the winter. An attic is platonic, or even a dry garage providing the awning is kept off the concrete floor and out of reach of vermin. Store poles and canvas separately and although you tin wipe steel poles with a lightly oiled material to forbid corrosion, all traces of oil must be removed earlier the poles come into contact with the awning again.

Always expect until the canvass is dry before dealing with mud or dirt, when information technology can usually be removed with a stiff brush. Stubborn marks tin can be tackled with plainly water, but anything stronger should be avoided if possible. If too unsightly, try soap and water simply never detergent. Any area touched past the soap solution volition accept to exist reproofed. Specialist cleaners are also bachelor.

Your awning will need regular reproofing – ideally every season. Small-scale patches tin be treated with an droplets proofer and should exist practical when the canopy is dry out and in a well-ventilated place. For larger areas apply a soft pigment castor. Ideal weather condition are a warm, dry day, but avoid hot sun which volition dry the proofer out likewise quickly. Do not forget to protect vinyl windows, mudwalls, grass and tarmac while using products which comprise spirit-based solvents. Do not pack the awning away until the solvent has completely stale out.

If you're new to caravanning then don't forget to check out our top twenty caravanning questions - an ideal starting signal for beginners looking to learn more.