Awning Erection - Over longer Periods

[Chris_5100995]

Hi All

This year we have decided to pay for a seasonal pitch in order to make better use of our caravan during the better months.

We have both a porch awning, and a full awning, but we want to leave the porch awning up for most of the time - using only the full one for longer stays (to give the dog more room!).

I purchased the porch awning recently off Ebay - and it came with everything - a telescopic steel pole affair with thumbscrews etc, and I've put it up in the driveway and everything it there.

Please can someone advise what additional precautions we need to take to protect our awning from the British weather conditions - given that it will be erected most of the six months whilst on site. I already have an awning tie-down kit, with anti-wear pads etc. I've replaced the end leg spikes with longer two inch spikes so the legs will remain planted in the ground. What other precautions should I take to avoid wear and tear ?

Thanks

Chris

 

[lolly_5087162]

I just wanted to say, thank god you put the word awning in the title of your thread!!

Lolly x

 

[Chris_5100995]

I'm happy to say I have got no problems in that department...

 

[emmerson2]

Chris,I've never left my awning when I've not been there for long periods, though I know some folks do. Having seen my own awning fill with water after a heavy storm, and seen some seasonals in the same state, I would not like to do it.Depends on the make of awning too. My Dorema president is no good at all in rain or wind!

 

[clivea]

Hi Emmerson,

It must be a facet of Dorema's as we have a Madison (5 roof poles) and on two occasions I had to use ducktape between the poles in order to stop the material sagging and water collecting. I have boughta Hercules tensioner and that just gives you that bit of extra tension that is required to taughten the roof.

Cheers

 

[emmerson2]

Hi Emmerson,

It must be a facet of Dorema's as we have a Madison (5 roof poles) and on two occasions I had to use ducktape between the poles in order to stop the material sagging and water collecting. I have boughta Hercules tensioner and that just gives you that bit of extra tension that is required to taughten the roof.

Cheers

Hi Clive, tried all that, but as I tried to explain to Dorema, the problem seems to be that there is too much material in the roof panel.They said i had the wrong size, but however much you tension it, the distance from ground to ground remains constant.Even using a Hercules, you can only tension the panel as far as the seams will allow. Even with all seams bow-tight, the roof sags even when dry.In the wind, it can lift 18inches abve the centre pole. Conversely, in the rain it can sag almost that much below the pole. Dorema have declined to do anything more about it, so we've now given up, and gone back to our old Isabella.

 

[cris_408518]

All though awning Fabrics have UV inhibitors in them, you will find that leaving an Awning up for a polonged periods will have an adverse effect on the fabrics strength propertioes and the colours.

If the fabric is damaged due to the weather you could find that the fabric or a framework part flaps around and causes untold damage to your van.

If you are with it every day or have somebody that will check it every day I guess you could leave it, but apart from the suns effect on the fabric I would expect serious chafing between frame and fabric and weaking of the fabric.

Take it down!

 

[mcghee]

I wouldn't leave an awning up if I wasn't on site. In a strong wind the awning can act as a sail and flip your 'van. A lot of sites won't allow it for this reason.

 

[AnnM1]

Chris - You might invest in an awning strap which can be used on either a full/porch awning. You can never been too sure, especially in this country! If you do buy a strap make sure that it doesn't scuff your awning, put some sponge between the strap and awning just to be sure.

 

[RogerL]

Many sites won't allow you to leave an awning up when you're not in residence.

 

[AnnM1]

But a lot do, Roger. I would recommend Chris has a word with the site owner just to be on the safe side.

 

[jacky3]

they reckon theres a new awning on the market for people on seasonal pitches its call ed the 'viagra awning'

'qiuck erecting and stays up longer'

 

[lolly_5087162]

they reckon theres a new awning on the market for people on seasonal pitches its call ed the 'viagra awning'

'qiuck erecting and stays up longer'

hahahahahaha

Nice one Klarky!!

Lolly x

 

[jacky3]

hahahahahaha

Nice one Klarky!!

Lolly x

spot the spelling mistake!!!!????

 

[lolly_5087162]

they reckon theres a new awning on the market for people on seasonal pitches its call ed the 'viagra awning'

'qiuck erecting and stays up longer'

I have now I've re-read it, well it's early!!

Lolly x

 

[jacky3]

I have now I've re-read it, well it's early!!

Lolly x

too early,picking caravan up to take for service.have to go to glossop(300 mile round trip)

 

[lolly_5087162]

they reckon theres a new awning on the market for people on seasonal pitches its call ed the 'viagra awning'

'qiuck erecting and stays up longer'

dear god, is there nowhere closer?

Have a safe journey

Lolly x

 

[Surfer]

We have had a 1025 Dorema Madison awning up since 14/0/06 and intially we had a problem withj water accummalating in one patch. Now thta we are on a level pitch, thsi problem has disappeared and the awning is showing no ill effects. both awning and caravan manufacturers must be laughing all the way to the bank as thet know that although they can give up to a 3 year warranty, the chances of you actually using it every day for 3 years are remote. Tally up the number of days that you would use a full awning or a caravan in a three year period. Even if you used your caravan every weekend and the then had 20 days annual leave it amounts to less than 3 months usage in any one year.

 

[PaulA3]

I used to have a seasonal pitch and had the awning up for the full 6 months, the problems I found was fading of the fabric also remove any seagull plop asap as that caused the failour of our awning on year 3. Also make sure that any tree branches that over hang the awning are cut back as greenfly droppings are like honey and cause fungus to grow on the material.

 

[jacky3]

dear god, is there nowhere closer?

Have a safe journey

Lolly x

yes theres 3 at least,but they will only do it when there customers(people who have bought vans off them)have come first.wont even book caravan in some of them.as far as warranty

work,they'll go nowhere near it