We have just purchased our first folding camper, a Raclet Allegra, so far we have managed to put the main part up but we are having real problems with the awning. There are no instructions and me and my mum are not the tallest of people!!! We have spent the day trying to do it and have now given up very disappointed. Any help and advice would be great.
Hi,
We have got one. We LOVE ours. But awnings are always b*ggers.
You will need steps - I am 6' 3" and I need a 2 step step-ladder.
Zip the canvas awning on first, but not all the way down at the sides. Stop at the corner of the roof and the wall where the canvas changes from blue to beige. We have attached rope loops to help with the pulling.
Then flick it back over the roof so you can fit the poles in just under the zips.
Then put the poles up and tighten them - but not at full stretch.
Pull the canvas forward over the poles. Make sure the front of the poles poke through the 3 holes at the front of the canvas. Pull the zips all the way down at the back.
Make sure the door is zipped shut. Then lengthen the poles until the canvas is stretched nice and even.
Peg down.
The hardest part for us is zipping the awning on. The canvas is very heavy. I find it helps to balance it on my head while I swear quite a lot!!!
Persevere and take your time with it. It really does get easier each time you do it. We took ours to Provence lasr summer. It was excellent for overnight stops on the way - no need for the awning. Did you get the shorter sun canopy? If not, it is really worth-while. It goes either right at the front when you have the awning up, ot it can replace the awning for an overnighter.
There is a Raclet forum (usually a bit quiet) but they have instructions for every model I think.
Mine's a Herald but I find it easier to get all the weight of the awning on the roof first and then zip it on, it also helps if you briefly drop the tension rods on the main cabin to get the zips on, easier because the tension's off. Once the zip's on tension it back up again.
I really struggled first time out, second time was easy once I'd got it sussed. I'd agree, steps make it a lot easier. I doubt if you'll get instructions on the owners club site, the guy who posted that he had all the instructions doesn't post anymore.
Al
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Topic: Help....with Raclet Allegra
