Got our first caravan loast week and this week purchased a new awning, started to have a go at putting it up and struggled getting the awning track into the track on the van. It was really stiff and hard to push along, any useful tips or sprays which will allow easy operation of the track. We had a trailer tent which we used to put Mr Sheen on the poles to make them move easier.
Clean out the awning rain with a brush and use the correct lubricant and then one pulls using the caravan steps to stand on (don't fall off but if you do let go of the awning) and the other pushes and keeps the awning straight as it feeds in to the rail.
Easy now you have to remember where all the poles go when you have not used it for six months.
thanks for that freeatlast i stop using it now, just that another caravanner at work told me and i used it last year, must of upset them for them to tell me sorry salformd for mis informing you about washing up liquid
Also you will find that removing the panels in the awning make it much lighter to push into the rail and then pull through.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Quote: Originally posted by cobblers71 on 22/2/2009
thanks for that freeatlast i stop using it now, just that another caravanner at work told me and i used it last year, must of upset them for them to tell me sorry salformd for mis informing you about washing up liquid
Washing up liquid reduces the surface tension of water, it is this surface tension that stops it going through the small holes between the threads of the canvas. I do know that many plumbers use washing up liquid when fitting plastic pipes together which have plastic seals, but I have read that this will rot the seals. It may also have the same effect on some of the plastics used on an awning, especially as the awning could be stored for a long period in contact with some washing up liquid. Found this on a guttering manufacturers website:
"If you are still struggling it could be due to the seals drying out after being on the shelf of a warm shop. Simply apply some silicone lubricant and it should make the process a lot easier. Please note never use any other lubricant especially washing up liquid as this dries out the seals and makes them crack."
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Topic: Awning help or Top Tips
