Awning assisters

[oldagetraveller1]

Finally changed my pop-top for a conventional van.
How do others cope with threading - on an awning when the awning rail is 2.5 metres high - .short of carrying a step ladder?
Do 'awning assisters' work?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I use the caravan steps to stand on, you're carrying them in any case so make extra use of them. I also have a wooden broom handle with a cup hook screwed in one end, as the porch awning has an eyelet at the right position. You can then pull the awning along the rail from ground level.

 

[Len_Cuff]

Due to the size of my awning (huge) I have to take a set of alli short steps. Forgot to take them once and had to borrow some from the site!! Problem I have is that the centre poles are so high I can't reach them with a normal van step

 

[oldagetraveller1]

Thanks. Like you, I can't comfortably reach the awning rail even from the van step.
So many caravanners use awnings so there must be an easy way ............ or iis there!

 

[colin-yorkshire]

Thanks. Like you, I can't comfortably reach the awning rail even from the van step.
So many caravanners use awnings so there must be an easy way ............ or iis there!

don't know if you would call it easier, but the dorema awning we had was one of those that had a hook on the end of the poles that went into the feet that sat on the van,
I just attached this to the first peg rubber on the btm of the skirt and pulled it through from ground level while her indoors fed it in from the other side, worked every time and no falling off the step :lol:

 

[oldagetraveller1]

Sounds interesting! I was thinking of an'awning assister' as sold by Towsure.
It look like a pole with a handle at one end and a hook at the other - so similar to your suggestion.
Think I'll try one.

 

[Jaydug]

When I go away for more than a week and take an awning, I also carry a four tread light alloy step ladder. They're so light, their weight can be discounted and they fit very easily into the front locker. They're also useful for accessing the roof through the rooflight if necessary.

 

[oldagetraveller1]

May have to resort to that solution if Towsure's awning assister doesn't work!
I'm reluctant to carry steps - even lightweight. We'll see!

 

[colin-yorkshire]

Sounds interesting! I was thinking of an'awning assister' as sold by Towsure.
It look like a pole with a handle at one end and a hook at the other - so similar to your suggestion.
Think I'll try one.

it does seem similar, :cheer: keeping the awning rail clean and using rail lube helps also

 

[Mel]

We use a "step up" from Wickes. Lightweight and has a longer platform to stand and move on than a step ladder. Bit higher than the van step. Also doubles as a small table in the awning. Has even been used bench seat.
Mel

 

[Mel]

Also remember that although the pulling along the rail might work with a hooked pole, you still have to fit those pad things on the internal beading to put .the roof poles in. So you may still need something to climb on. Unless you have an air awning of course.

Mel

 

[pensioner]

I bought an assister but as there was no hole in the roof section to thread it into I gave it a miss.
Instead I bought a bottle of channel lub and channel brush,,and with the aid of the step I run the brush through the channel,,,spray the lub in and with me pulling and wife pushing it slides in very easily.

 

[Gagakev]

Awning Asssiter...........it's called ......the wife

On a lighter note I carry a Aluminium three tread set of steps, but found recently that the higher caravan step i have now got I can manage with. Caravan Step

 

[colin-yorkshire]

I bought an assister but as there was no hole in the roof section to thread it into I gave it a miss.
Instead I bought a bottle of channel lub and channel brush,,and with the aid of the step I run the brush through the channel,,,spray the lub in and with me pulling and wife pushing it slides in very easily.

you dont need a hole in the roof section cos water will get in :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: I used the first pegging point [nearest the van] on the awning skirt] trust me it works. :cheer: :cheer:
ps for Mel, those awning pad things clip onto the internal awning bead if there tight enough they dont come off if they do just mark where they fit with a pen and fit them before threading the awning through the rail.

 

[Dustydog]

1.use caravan steps
2. Lube awning channel with silicon spray.
3. SWMBO feeds the bead. I do the pulling.
Never failed or caused a domestic. I know my place

 

[oldagetraveller1]

Thanks. I'll certainly take a look at that when I'm next near Wickes

 

[Mel]

ps for Mel, those awning pad things clip onto the internal awning bead if there tight enough they dont come off if they do just mark where they fit with a pen and fit them before threading the awning through the rail.

Thanks Colin. Did try that but the pad things ( what are those things called? :S ) used to snag on the awning light and jam causing much of the air around my OH to turn blue. Not a problem now we have an air awning.
Mel

 

[colin-yorkshire]

ps for Mel, those awning pad things clip onto the internal awning bead if there tight enough they dont come off if they do just mark where they fit with a pen and fit them before threading the awning through the rail.

Thanks Colin. Did try that but the pad things ( what are those things called? :S ) used to snag on the awning light and jam causing much of the air around my OH to turn blue. Not a problem now we have an air awning.
Mel

no problem Mel, the awning we had was a Dorema so the clips were secured perminantly to the bead, supprising how inventive we can be when required, mine missed the awning light by quite a margin so no problem.
mind you I like topics like this there could be a thousand ways to do one job and a thousand people would have a different way of doing it :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Norwichbluenose]

6 foot 9, no issues

 

[colin-yorkshire]

6 foot 9, no issues

there you are 1001 ways.

 

[Pedr01800]

Broom handle with screwed in hook, tied to piece of string to haul awning through when tied to lead in beading.

 

[RayS]

If the awning rail is nice and clean, you can probably push the awning in from the opening usually at head height or less in the side rail. Once the awning is sufficiently into the top rail not to slide back out again you can gently tug on the fabric to position it exactly.