Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 30/9/2025
I looked at one video on how to re-attach a drive-away awning after being away, and there is no way I could return to the exact same spot even with markers!
The scuff marks on my alloy wheels on my car will confirm I am no good with judging distances from a kerb!
I can't always park straight with my small car at the same spot outside my own house.
So the functionality of a drive-away is surplus to requirement.
DK
I put a tent peg beside my front and back wheels, to make it easy to return to the same spot
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 04/10/2025
Trying to set up the new canopy awning in a storm was futile.
Gave up after about 3 hours as I was at risk of damaging my Fiamma wind-out awning whenever I tried to re-attach the Kador strip that had popped out by the strong wind back in place.
A number of newbie mistakes were made, and I shall try again next week when the weather is nicer and calmer.
If that does not work then I shall try using my Outdoor Evolution Screenhouse 4 that I won from UKCS.
DK
Trying to erect an awning/canopy/tarp/tent in wind is challenging and potentially dangerous, and just as risky trying to take one down! All the more so if solo - you often need to be in two places at once.
I've often left awnings up in winds they shouldn't really be used in, rather than risk injury and/or damage (to awning and caravan) trying to fight with it/the wind! Prepared to risk damage to the erected awning, and so far I've been lucky, and they've all survived unscathed, even the airbeam awning when the wind was pushing the convex roof concave (it popped back when the gusts eased)! Not at all convinced I, or awning, or caravan would have escaped unscathed if I'd had it partially untethered and flapping furiously in an attempt to take down! Of course, judgement is wise on just how much is too windy to attempt erecting one!
People underestimate the power of wind when it has a large surface to work on like an awning acting as a sail! Seen a friend's teenage daughter lifted clean off the ground by some height by wind when attempting to take a tent down, thankfully she was wise enough to let go! The tent itself did actually take off and fly some distance into next field (total wreck and beyond salvage) after sailing over a couple of caravans, complete with steel poles, and all the groundsheet pegs (rock pegs at too!) still attached (they just pulled out of the ground under the strain!). I might well know all the theoretical physics behind it in advance, but seeing a near adult lifted clean off the ground really drives the reality home hard.
I still remember a camping trip with my 5 berth tent (and so does everyone else involved and still talk about it some 10 years on!), where it took 7 or 8 of us to fight the wind to get it erected, and it was a tad nerve wracking! That was a heavy steel poled tent too, not a lightweight one, and wasn't a real storm, just a bit windy!
The power of nature is to be acknowledged and respected.
The benefit of your canopy DK, is that it's so quick to erect (that'll maybe come with practice), you stand a chance of getting it up in a brief lull in winds.
It was so windy and stormy it was awful on Friday, thanks to Storm Amy!
Some time ago, can't remember which year, there was at least one fatality when a bouncy castle flew off in strong wind.
I shall try again next week during the calmer days and after I have had a few days to get over the aches and pains.
If it does not work or too much of a faff to set up, then I shall take the Outdoor Revolution Screen House 4 and put that one up during my trip in early November 2025.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Not moaning, however, due to gainful employment today, I was not able to try and put the canopy awning up which was the plan as the weather forecast was for dry and gentle breeze today.
I shall see if I have time to try and put it up again before I leave the campsite tomorrow and Thursday as Friday is out all day due to a training course.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Might have to give up on the canopy awning, as I discovered during the test pitch that due to the positioning of my Fiamma wind-out awning, when the canopy awning was in place, it would not be possible to open and close the passenger door.
Small price to pay or no go? Still to be decided.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 12/10/2025
Might have to give up on the canopy awning, as I discovered during the test pitch that due to the positioning of my Fiamma wind-out awning, when the canopy awning was in place, it would not be possible to open and close the passenger door.
Small price to pay or no go? Still to be decided.
DK
I had a similar (after)thought on our set up just last week...
As you may be aware, we've kept hold of our Karsten RA and side walls, to compliment the fitted Fiamma wind-out awning.
We've had successful trial(s) with the Fiamma fully wound out, plus the Karsten bits added. (Both RA down to ground as a head-on wind break, and also RA overhead with side wall "windbreaks" added).
But what I haven't tried, is leaving the Fiamma closed/wound in, and just adding the RA and side walls from there.
Not life changing for us, but it does seem to be a nice option to have, having a roof and two sides immediately outside the sliding door, in driving wind/rain.
RA alone will be fine, as it can be raised on the Karsten poles enough to clear the door height. But that height is of course limited once the side walls are added (In order for the side walls to be pegged at ground level, which I assume is your problem?)
As well as the height, I also need to see if that side wall interferes with the door. (I strongly suspect it will, as the forward end of the Fiamma is mid-point of the door!).
Until I try it, I've no idea whether this set up will be an option. It may end up needing a compromise of the Fiamma being wound out enough (c. 0.5m or so?) to be able to open the door, or we may just accept only one side wall (towards the rear of the van) can go on with the Fiamma fully in.
Either way, I shall enjoy having a play around with it, regardless of the results!
EDIT:
Just re-reading, and I suspect you may have the same TWO problems I may have... both the height (for pegging) AND the front end of your awning being mid-point of door?
Pic of my van showing the door being opened, at Devizes C&CC and Bean's first trip for 2 nights locally to see if he would behave himself before we went for a longer trip further from home.
The wind-out awning overhangs the passenger door by about 20cm or so.
If I peg the canopy awning to cover the van door completely, then I would not be able to use the passenger door, unless perhaps I can extend the gap by using a drive-away kit.
Height wise the canopy awning is fine.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 13/10/2025
Pic of my van showing the door being opened, at Devizes C&CC and Bean's first trip for 2 nights locally to see if he would behave himself before we went for a longer trip further from home.
The wind-out awning overhangs the passenger door by about 20cm or so.
If I peg the canopy awning to cover the van door completely, then I would not be able to use the passenger door, unless perhaps I can extend the gap by using a drive-away kit.
Height wise the canopy awning is fine.
DK
We need someone to come up with a telescopic awning, to extend it (in length) beyond the front door hinge when not driving!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 13/10/2025
We need someone to come up with a telescopic awning, to extend it (in length) beyond the front door hinge when not driving!
Or a van with a blunter noise so that wind-out awning could be fitted further forward, if you know what I mean!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 13/10/2025
We need someone to come up with a telescopic awning, to extend it (in length) beyond the front door hinge when not driving!
Or a van with a blunter noise so that wind-out awning could be fitted further forward, if you know what I mean!
DK
Oops, typo, I meant blunter nose!
In readiness of giving up on the canopy awning, I have ordered a set of Over The Top (OTT) awning straps to minimise the fabric from flapping in the wind.
I tried to tie the fabric down using Clingon clips that I have, however, I was not tall enough to do that without aid.
Hence the idea of throwing an OTT strap over it.
Already have Fiamma tie down kit, and I shall use the Peggy Peg base plates for the awning poles.
Hopefully, together, it should help with keeping the wind out awning out for longer.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I did not try to put up the canopy awning again during the first trip out at Salisbury C&CC, and am not certain if I would try again on a hardstanding pitch. It is quite big and I have concerns that I would not be able to manage it on my own if it is windy. The idea of a canopy awning is sound, however, I am too old and weak to be able to pitch it on my own!
I am likely to use the Isabella 4-pole windbreak again and pitch on the grass to provide some shelter from the wind. I shall try that for my next trip later this month.
Just bought the new Peggy Peg retractable SunBreak that I can move along the Fiamma wind-out awning to provide some shade for low sun. It is smaller and easier to put up compared with my existing Fiamma sunshade.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
My Sunncamp 260 awning is slightly heavier than your canopy DK but otherwise identical, and I don't struggle with it at all. Maybe because it has the walls attached which reduce the likelihood of wind treating it like a kite, and despite me being fairly ancient and a bag of aches and pains (you're a mere whipper snapper young lady!), I'm tall and fairly strong, but I put most of my ease with dealing with it down to learned technique and experience. I'm sure if you practiced, you'd master it, you're far from daft and seem quite adept, so believe you would find the best way with enough tries.
Without wishing to sound unkind, one of the great entertainments of campsites is people struggling because either they haven't thought it through, or they haven't acquire the 'knack' from experience. Some others on the other hand make challenging tasks look simple, because they have totally mastered them, those folks you have to tip your hat to.
In the grander scheme, awnings, canopies etc. should not be erected/used in too windy conditions anyway. Easy to say when you are the manufacturer protecting the good name of your product, or you've got the space of a caravan to romp around in (and TBF a bit more storage space as well in the tow car!), more compromising when you have the more compact living space of a camper and 'outdoor' space is more valued!
My only attempt in putting the canopy awning up ended in failure. It did not help I was trying to put it up during a storm!
Not being fully prepared for the bits and pieces probably contributed to the failure.
However, it kept being detached from the groove of the Fiamma awning in high winds. Although I was offered help, I kindly refused as I needed to be able to put it up myself, if you know what I mean.
The Isabella windbreak is doable on my own, and so is the new Peggy Peg SunBreak, rather than to struggle with something that is beyond my capability.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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Topic: Bought a canopy type awning!
