Set Up Time

[Niki_374380833]

Hi everyone

As a newbie, and my 1st trip/holiday in my caravan isn't until April. I was wondering how long it takes you to set up from arriving on site? My caravan is a t/a so I'm not looking forward to putting the awning up as its 23ft, there could be a few little arguments, the rest should be quite straight forward I would of thought or am I just kidding myself? Thanks

Niki

 

[JD6620]

Hi Nikki, as its your first time it will likely take a little longer than expected. But like everything else the more times you use your van the set up time will get shorter. There is no hard and fast time limit, depends how you go about it. For us its steadies down, electric on and water collected. By the time thats done the wife has sorted out inside and got the kettle on. Its then feet up with a cup of coffee before even considering the awning. From start to finish is about an hour to an hour and a half. There is no real rush, you are on holiday after all, just enjoy!

 

[JTQ]

Niki,

Julian has nicely stated how it ought to be undertaken.

Don't try to do it in one hit; do enough to sit down with a cuppa and a snack if you have travelled for a while.

Then refreshed take on the awning.

Phase one: checking in, getting on pitch, levelling, connecting services, saying hello to neighbours. 45 minutes

Phase two: the awning, steady 45 to 60 minutes.

Enjoy, its all part of the hobby.

 

[Bryan_374360331]

I agree with the above.

And don't lose your temper with the awning - remember it's free entertainment for others on the site!

Bry (who once took porch canvas and full awning poles)

 

[emmerson2]

It depends on how soon Herself opens the first bottle!

 

[Guest]

Personally, it can take me a day or to to even look at the awning. Even then it is only a sunshade. Many times we do not even bother with it. It usually just gets wet anyway.

If the site is a Club site then setting up is less than 30 minutes as the van is usually horizontal to start. Legs down, electric hooked up, fridge swopped over, and that is about it. Leisurely fill water tank in front locker and push waste tank under the pipe.

I would however suggest, do not fill the floor of your van with a lot of junk as it will all have to be moved before you can get settled.

 

[ValA.]

I agree with the above.

And don't lose your temper with the awning - remember it's free entertainment for others on the site!

Bry (who once took porch canvas and full awning poles)

You're not the only one - only we took full awning, and porch poles!

 

[RichardJ]

Hi Niki

We also have a TA, we can set up in under an hour, thats everything, from the time we arrive on site, providing its not windy.

We are no means experts, we have prob put the awning up maybe 15 times, most weekends we do not bother with the awning.

A tip for you, when its up, take your digi photos, print off keep in van, you can always refer to them in the future.

Best of luck, and always count to 10 before swearing.

 

[RogerP]

Hi Niki

as most have said get the van set up (levelled , leccie , gas water etc) dont get onto the awning till you've had a rest or if its getting dark.

good tip is to divvy up the dutys between you and the family if you can.

The wife and my 3yr old usually take our dogs for a walk while I get the van sorted.(short straw comes to mind there!!)

By the time they're back the van ready to flop down and have a rest and a brew/beer (delete as appropriate). Takes about 20-30mins.

When it comes to the awning take your time , good tip is to remove the panels so that the bulk of the awning is lighter and easier to thread through the channel.

Loosely peg out the corners as you go so that you can then refit the panels. Then peg out properly.

I've got a 23ft van and I have to do the awning on my own as the wife cant help. Even in really bad weather its never taken me more than an hour and thats me being picky (call it Awning OCD!!!!!) about having the pegs exactly in the right place.

If you have instructions keep them to hand and refer to them everyone has had to learn at some point so dont be embarrassed. (If you dont have the instruction either go the makers website or ask here.)

A good idea if you can is to try and fit the awning at home (not always doable but if you do have the space. Or why not go away for a weekend locally to do a dry run.)

Finally ask for help if you get stuck , you will pretty much always get some help be it wardens or fellow campers.

Good luck and enjoy your caravanning

 

[RayS]

Hi Niki,wlcome aboard. Lots of good advice already. One further thing. If your awning frame is in any way complicated - many are - the first time you get it set up, mark the matching ends of the poles and sockets. the usual way of doing this is with coloured insulation tape, and you will find three colours shold be enough. Mark the first joint with, say, a single red band, the second with two and the third with three. Next joint use a different colour and when you run out of single colours do a mix - I'm sure you will get the idea. Then next time you empty the bag, just look for matching ends and it will go up quicker than you can believe.

Porch anwings can be more trouble than full size and this works particularly well with them.

Finally make sure the awning channel is clean and not dented anywhere. A quick spray with a silicone lubricant (Screwfix) will also ease the process.

 

[Tram]

There are three little dents in the side of our 'van. All of them were done putting the awning up and taking it down again the very first time.

Don't rush it and don't turn away any help and you'll be fine.

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

The only advice I would add to what has been suggested so far is if you have kids make sure they have something to do. Setting up with kids who are bored or tired makes the setting up a lot longer. We aim to arrive on site, level van, electric and gas on, water and waste water connected then something to eat/ drink. We carry a picnic in a cool bag in the car. We then put the awning up with marked poles etc. The kids gear, toys, games, colouring books etc is very easily accessible in the van and car for both journey and arrival on site.

Annette

 

[Clockwork_374390647]

Ooooooh, "set-up time".

Front locker open, gas on, steadies down putting kettle on as I pass to rear steadies. EHU plugged in.

2 minutes I reckon.

We always keep water in the kettle.

Anything else waits until I feel the urge. You know, check vans level,connect water or put the awning up.

Entertaining other campers and caravaners is not part of my set-up routine.

 

[cooky1]

Hi Niki.

One bit of advise is to level the caravan side to side before you unhitch it from the car. It will be virtually impossible to manhandle a t/w onto leveling blocks by hand.

The front to back leveling can be done once the van is unhitched.

We then get the steadies down, plug in electric, turn fridge to mains, fill water container and set up, set up waste, turn on gas and thats about it. Have a beer and then put up the awning.

Just take your time as you are on holiday. If things don't go quite right, have a laugh about it and then put it right.

 

[Guest]

on the site i use any first timers who pull on we watch for awhile then go and give them a helping along with a can of beer proper old school site

 

[Richard_374398094]

Nikki. Great advise from others to have a couple of pre holiday trial set ups and mark your awning with colour coded tape.

Read your owners manual and learn how everything works, make sure you take it with you when you go on holiday to refer back to.

Make checklists one for set up and one packing up you will be suprised what you miss if not.

If you do have a practise trial with putting up and taken down your awning try and enlist the help of someone that has done this before.

I have a new awning for this season and will be having a dry run before I go to a site to trial new fixing system and to mark poles with tape.

Read Practical Caravan Mag. March 2009 Perfect Pitch Page 106.

 

[hgv dave]

personally i wouldnt worry about it just get the van level (good advice about leaving the car hooked up untill you get the side to side level,the front to back level is done with the jockey wheel)then plug in the mains electric.sort out the water,waste and toilet.if you have young children set up the tv.this should take less than an hour.have a brew the prepare to do battle with the awning.although the awning is inert it does have a mind of its own,it will fight you tooth and nail,be brave and you will be sure of victory in the end

the only advice i can give you is have fun... the first time i used a van we had a good laugh setting up at the silly mistakes we did.......dont get angry just smile....we have all done the same and we all did the silly things that you are going to do

hgv dave

 

[mistermac]

Setting the awning up before you go is sound advice - or at least knowing how it all goes together. Don't do what we did... think 'Awning? Piece of cake! It's only a tent!' and leave it till you arrive at your destination - which will, because of the fact that it's your first trip, be quite testing for you.

Setting up time depends on how many people are involved. Make sure you get the awning square on the caravan - not too high one side and down the other otherwise you'll have a gale blowing through it all the time you're there!

I find a pair of knee pads quite helpful when pegging out - especially if you're on hard-standing.

Also - if you are on hard-standing, you might need some 'rock pegs' as normal pegs just won't work. The screw variety are quite good. Hammer them in and screw them out. Solid.

Most of all - have fun. Take your time. Don't worry if it takes you three hours to set up.

I think it takes me about 2 hours in all to set up. The first time I think it took me about 5 hours. Halcyon days....

Mac

 

[jo_374385568]

i'd agree with mark about 2 hours is average if your awning has removeable panels it is easier to take them out as its not as heavy always peg in at an angle not straight up and down we've now got the awning putting up time down to about half an hour used to take us at least 2 thats me and 2 kids everything else is relatively easy you'll get into your own routine soon enough don't be frightened to ask for help weve all had to start somewhere although if people see you struggling the'll usually offer to help

 

[Niki_374380833]

Thank you everyone. Your advice is very much appreciated. Niki

 

[Lee.C]

Hi Niki

Another tip when putting the awning up is start threading it in at the front at the gap in the rail about 3/4 up and you will find it a lot easier than starting at the rear because the angle is tight an the back and makes it harder to thread. I see lots of people starting to thread at the bottom rear and the awning just keeps snagging then all hell breaks loose! (entertaining though) Also I always carry a set of 2 tread alloy steps with me and it stops you having to stretch so much as a full awning on your van will be heavy to handle.

Enjoy!

Lee.C

 

[angel3]

Hi Niki, Here's what my hubby and I did on our first outing last year:

1. Put kids to bed (arrived late due to getting completely lost)

2. Read 'quick start guide' that came with the van

3. Couldn't make head nor tail of it due to panic and exhaustion

4. Stood outside with brand new aquaroll in it's box looking clueless(dropping massive hint) until our neighbours (off duty Wardens!) came and recued us and showed us what to do!

Just to highlight the point that there are many helpful fellow 'vanners who will galdly help u!

Good luck, You'll love it I'm sure. Best thing we ever did :0)

Angel