Threading awning over the external light

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JTQ

May 7, 2005
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JTQ,
I know you have the T shirts but isn’t that what I said earlier with the photo of the current Fix on? See#18.

Again if I am wrong I apologise now.

The OP cannot stand on a step etc to reach the upper level of the awning auxiliary bead to attach the Fix on clamp. That is his / her problem.
The one I showed does not need threading through and has certainly been in active use for at least 15 years. But you still need a step and to reach and attach it.
Indeed, now I see you had already picked up on the point, I was just responding to what I could see in the photo and comment in #22, not back reading to see it had been addressed.
Apologies.
 
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Reactions: Dustydog
Feb 14, 2025
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Indeed, now I see you had already picked up on the point, I was just responding to what I could see in the photo and comment in #22, not back reading to see it had been addressed.
Apologies.

Reply to you all. First of all apologies for the delay but have been on a cruise!

We do have the more modern clamps, but as some have said neither of us is safe on a step ladder nowadays (plus hubby has a (minor!) fractured spine!

Will buy one of the pulleys suggested - seen them before and am passing Towsure in Sheffield tomorrow.

I think it is a case of the broom handle but will see if there is scope to pull the awning through a tad further to fit the right-hand clamp a bit lower down.

We have got a cheap inflatable and while it is easy to erect it is VERY flimsy.

Off down south next week, so will report back.
 
Nov 30, 2022
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Have you tried threading the awning in from the other end?
I find it much easier to thread mine in from the back as my high-level running light is near the front and is easy to catch if threading from the front.
 
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Reactions: Hutch
Mar 12, 2025
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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.
I'm sure any one of us has the ability to tie a length of nylon rope (albeit thin rope) and use that to put the awning, that's what I use then tie it of to grab handle fire and aft, nice and tidy
 
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Nov 11, 2009
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I'm sure any one of us has the ability to tie a length of nylon rope (albeit thin rope) and use that to put the awning, that's what I use then tie it of to grab handle fire and aft, nice and tidy
My post wasn’t just about a bit of rope, it was in reference to making the equivalent of the Dometic awning pulley kit.
 
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Reactions: Beachball
Sep 12, 2021
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Also I spray the awning rail liberally with silicone spray to ease its passage
This is what I do and it does make such a difference.
Yesterday we arrived at Eye Kettleby Lakes and set up our Dometic Rally Pro 390S - height is an issue for me but I used the caravan steps and fed it through the awning rail without much difficulty.

Steve
 
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Reactions: Hutch
Feb 14, 2025
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Dear all, so sorry it seems I have ignored all your comments but I did read them at the time and considered some of them to be possibles. However, several medical problems have intervened and by now we have been on our next site and seem to have found an easier solution which might not work for all.
I imagined that at 5 foot 3 I would need a step stool to read the awning rail but in fact I found I could JUST reach it from the van step with the aid of a second step with a tall handrail for stability. I found said step at the back of the garage, bought for some reason years ago and never used.
I learnt that the RHS front upright pole needed to be used (but not the roof pole) to raise the awning roof otherwise the clamp was "clamped" to the van wall and was immoveable. Using the front pole meant it was loose enough for me to be just about able to (safely) get it over the exterior light (standing on said step).
Of course I then had to remember to leave the upright pole in place when dismantling as well. In fact it was all a doddle.
I see the benefit of the pulley system but in fact without the front window zipped in the awning is not that heavy to pull through the channel. I tried the lubricant idea but couldn't get it to spray inside the channel!!
Anyway, thanks a lot everyone.
Meg
 
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