Errecting an Awning for the first time!

OK I've dried the tears & stopped rolling about the floor. Looks like awning is much too big for the van. Your handbook should give you the correct length of awning to match, then you can measure the bead length. There are sailmakers who will shorten this by cutting out some of the canvas but I believe that it is limitted to  about 0.5 metres. Why have you got the roof pole down so low ? It is usually set slightly above the level of the top of the window, there may be info in the handbook indicating some strengthened spots on the side of the van so aim for those., I can't help thinking that you will always have some sort of problem there due to the slope on the front of the van. Have you thought of a lightweight (half tunnel) porch which runs along the straight part of the roof & much easier to handle? Mind you they are not really suitable for extreme weather conditions but then again neither is a full cloth awning!

this sounds a familiar story we have been caravaning now for 2 years and still end up fighting with said awning.

Nice car-nice van-shame about the awning!

Yes I thought the picture would get some response, the person that sold me the awning said it was 810 but it seems it is an 850. The caravan book said awning size should be 811, as one of the comments said the shape of caravan could be the problem as my son in law adjusted it & it was a lot better, watch out for my next update when we travel next!

One golden rule with us when we pitch up is that we have a nice cuppa and something to eat BEFORE erecting the awning, no more bad words.

Cat Lady

I had two wedges put in our awning roof (one each side) when we changed to a larger caravan, Gordon/Sue and they made a brilliant job. Try hunting the internet and get a section taken out unless you want to trade it in.

after 5 successful weekends after putting up my awning (same style and size) on my own, i took my nephew on my last trip and coz he was helping the wind took it and bent 3 poles (ok it probably wasnt his fault but im blaming him anyway...)

Ok - I've stopped laughing now. Were you putting it up on a caravan club site? Usually you'll find other members or wardens will help if you don't know what you're doing!!

It's always a source of amusment watching newbes trying to sort out their awning!!

You are making our attempts look like we are professionals, .... joking, I fully sympathise with you, whe we bought our first full size awning last year, we took it to a quiet site, in October at the end of the season,  we jhad just purchased it brand new, and needed to test it out, as would be packing the van away for winter, it was blowing a gale, which was maybe just as well, as it swallowed up the blue words coming from both husband and myself, we gave much amusement to others, it banged and clanked all night (even with storm straps), and we duly took it all down and packed it away next morning, we have since been more succesful with it....... and then my Aunt and Uncle (seasoned caravanners) offered us an Isabella Porch awning, for a grand sum of £30, and can honestly say we will probably end up selling the full one next year, as this is ideal for our needs, just being a couple with two dogs, this story did make me laugh so much though, thank you

Brilliant!!! - we got our 1st caravan & awning last week & know exactly what you mean.