Threading awning over the external light

[Mad Meg]

Elderly 'vanners with a 2011 Coachman VIP and Isabella Minor porch awning, same age. We are no longer able to stretch up/balance on stepstool to attach the roof clamps after threading it through the channel, so the front and middle clamps are already attached. But if the rear one is attached we can't get it over the light above the door.

Anybody got a clever trick to do this? Or some other tip that might help?

 

[borderbilly]

get someone else/younger to do it for you.

 

[toad a caravan]

My cousin's 72,he . replaced his inflatable porch awning for a full sized inflatable awning,plus he's only around 5 foot tall but he does use a pair of step Ladders.

 

[Dustydog]

May be time to consider a wind out canopy?

 

[Mad Meg]

get someone else/younger to do it for you.

Is that meant to be helpful? It sounds sarcastic to me.

We frequently stay on CLs. Our regular site usually has neighbours who are out till dark. Perhaps you could give me your phone number and *** round if I ask?

get someone else/younger to do it for you.

 

[Mad Meg]

May be time to consider a wind out canopy?

Thought about that but we do want something liveable in.

 

[borderbilly]

Is that meant to be helpful? It sounds sarcastic to me.

We frequently stay on CLs. Our regular site usually has neighbours who are out till dark. Perhaps you could give me your phone number and *** round if I ask?

yes its helpful not sarcastic, just ask.

 

[IanB1485]

Use a log handled mop/squeegee , that what I use ( got it for cleaning the roof of the caravan)

 

[Mad Meg]

Use a log handled mop/squeegee , that what I use ( got it for cleaning the roof of the caravan)

Ah Ian, that is worth a try. Thanks. Other suggestions gratefully received.

 

[IanB1485]

Also I spray the awning rail liberally with silicone spray to ease its passage

 

[Buckman]

Elderly 'vanners with a 2011 Coachman VIP and Isabella Minor porch awning, same age. We are no longer able to stretch up/balance on stepstool to attach the roof clamps after threading it through the channel, so the front and middle clamps are already attached. But if the rear one is attached we can't get it over the light above the door.

Anybody got a clever trick to do this? Or some other tip that might help?

We have the Magnum and leave the roof clamps permanently attached so no need to use foot stools except for clamps for rear legs.

 

[Dustydog]

We have the Magnum and leave the roof clamps permanently attached so no need to use foot stools except for clamps for rear legs.

We do the same with our Magnum.
Add in Ian”s suggestion #10 QED

 

[otherclive]

Along with Ian’s suggestion would a Kampa awning pulley make it easier. Several YouTube videos showing how they work.

Dometic Easy Awning Pulley

This smart accessory makes threading your inflatable or poled awning onto the caravan a simple, one person task.

www.aeleisure.co.uk

 

[Mel]

If all else fails and you are committed to having an awning; then maybe an alternative awning that does not need clamps? We had a Dorema Quattro which basically had a freestanding frame with no clamps, but you still threaded the Kador through the rail. Or an awning with a “hoop” front ( either pole or air depending on how you manage the weight.) together with the pulley system that OC suggests.
Mel

 

[borderbilly]

Along with Ian’s suggestion would a Kampa awning pulley make it easier. Several YouTube videos showing how they work.

Dometic Easy Awning Pulley

This smart accessory makes threading your inflatable or poled awning onto the caravan a simple, one person task.

www.aeleisure.co.uk

£24 For a bit of paracord and a caribener clip, someone's having a laugh, make your own.

 

[otherclive]

£24 For a bit of paracord and a caribener clip, someone's having a laugh, make your own.

Not everyone has your undoubted DIY ability, but at least my post showed the OP something that might be if helpful and they have the means they could make one. But if not there’s an option available to purchase.

 

[Thebossandhermaster]

Along with Ian’s suggestion would a Kampa awning pulley make it easier. Several YouTube videos showing how they work.

Dometic Easy Awning Pulley

This smart accessory makes threading your inflatable or poled awning onto the caravan a simple, one person task.

www.aeleisure.co.uk

We have one of these ,find it a lot easier to get the awning done.

 

[Dustydog]

The OP’s problem is probably specific to the Isabella Fix on clamps,. He calls them roof clamps.
Just inboard of the awning rail cord is another flexible sewn/ built in rail to which the clamps attach usually after pulling the awning through the caravan awning rail.. By attaching the clamps first one will foul the protruding night light.

So in reality in the OPs case she needs someone pulling the awning through the rail whilst the other uses Ian’s broom.
It is possible to attach the clamp to the roof pole ,then tension it as normal leaving the clamp fixed to the caravan wall by the tension pressure. Isabella sell a special tensioning tool which will also help.

 

[Buckman]

£24 For a bit of paracord and a caribener clip, someone's having a laugh, make your own.

Another method is a pole with a hook on the end like you use for opening a skylight at home?

 

[JTQ]

£24 For a bit of paracord and a caribener clip, someone's having a laugh, make your own.

Actually there is more to it than that, it has in addition, rail clamp, two pullies, piece of awning bead, and cord "tidy".

As said, all very DIYable and that's the route I would take, but others might not "find" all the bits in their workshops and would have to go acquiring them.
That in turn if thought out then involves costs more than just of the items.
Plus importantly, as already pointed out, being a DIYer is not a universal skill, nor for some would it be even the preferred option.
Many IMO would opt to take a worked out viable retailed solution.

 

[GUMPY]

£24 For a bit of paracord and a caribener clip, someone's having a laugh, make your own.

Or buy one of eBay as I did for well under £10🤔

 

[IanB1485]

It is possible to attach the clamp to the roof pole ,then tension it as normal leaving the clamp fixed to the caravan wall by the tension pressure. Isabella sell a special tensioning tool which will also help.

Thats an option, we just accepted the clamps fitted on the awning and had to be slid round with the awning , might try that next time ( after marking their positions with black marker)

 

[Hutch]

Elderly 'vanners with a 2011 Coachman VIP and Isabella Minor porch awning, same age. We are no longer able to stretch up/balance on stepstool to attach the roof clamps after threading it through the channel, so the front and middle clamps are already attached. But if the rear one is attached we can't get it over the light above the door.

Anybody got a clever trick to do this? Or some other tip that might help?

I understand your problem, I had a 545 VIP, 2010. I pulled the awning round to the back of the awning so the clamp was lower down, with the clamp in place. Marked the place on the awning bead and removed the pole clamp. Then removed the awning from the front. On refitment pull awning all the way to get to the clamp point ,at the back, refit the clamp and position the awning into the correct position.
I hope this make sense.

 

[JTQ]

Thats an option, we just accepted the clamps fitted on the awning and had to be slid round with the awning , might try that next time ( after marking their positions with black marker)

Seeing the use of the very old design Fixon, I would suggest life can be eased by using the modern version instead.
These, do not require laboriously threading along the bead, but open up to then clamp on so they can be put in place, and removed, where and when needed. See- LINK

My awnings go on without them in place and I put then on once the roof is threaded to where its needed. I also marked the underside of the bead tape with a permanent marker pen to know where I found the optimum locations for them.
All to make life just a bit easier for myself.