mend it or start again?

[Mel]

Our full awning was a budget make, and we got it cheap as ex-fire stock. We have had it for 3 years and used it about 10 or 12 times. Two of the poles are now dodgy (but still useable with a bit of gaffer tape) and the teeth on the zip around one of the front panels are pulled away from the fabric. I have two options
1. Source some replacemnt poles (not proving easy; any suggestions welcome) and get the zip replaced (quote for this c£100), and keep the awning going, but it could just cost me more over time.
2. Replace it with a new one, which I could afford but don't want to waste money.

I have no plans to change my van for the foreseeable future.
What would you do?
mel

 

[woodsieboy]

Mel
Have a look on ebay,sometimes you will see poles only available,you could pick up a complete set that would fit your awning for £20-30 and you could try somewhere like the canavas repair centre at burton on trent for the zip repair,they were very reasonable and did a good job of extending our porch.

 

[RayS]

Trawl through the ads on PCV caravan Club Preloved etc etc. There are hundreds of awnings for sale - many good quality at knock down prices. Over the years I've tried to sell several full sized and porch awnings but have struggled even with silly low prices, so a little effort and patience may well produce a good result.

 

[Mel]

Thank you boys for your advice. Decided to repair the poles: closer inspection showed that the damage was at the ends which were (with a bit of effort) removable and cheaply replaceable. I reckon there is the rest of the seasons wear in the canvas and I can get away with not repairing the zip (as long as I don't unzip that panel), then I will decide what to do. If the other zips start to go, it won't be worth the money as we had it pretty cheap anyway.
mel