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Well it's booked and I can't wait!!!
  We got our new van about a month ago and we're taking it to Lebberston this sunday,
  It's our first time away unsupported by the inlaws, who have helped with our old van and awning
  So if you are there and see a family arguing about how an awning should go up, please have pity and lend a hand, I'm sure a cuppa or beer would be offered in return

Quote: Originally posted by robdawn12 on 19/9/2011

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So if you are there and see a family arguing about how an awning should go up, please have pity and lend a hand, I'm sure a cuppa or beer would be offered in return

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A tip for putting an awning up. 

Start by taking out two chairs, two glasses and a bottle or two of wine, beer, or similar.  Set these up slightly away from the area where the awning will go.  Get out the groundsheet and lay it on the floor at approximately where the awning will go.  Sit down and have a drink.  Take out the awning and place the poles on the floor in approximately the right position, where they will need to go.  Sit down and have another drink.  Feed the awning through the awning channel.  Sit down and have another drink.  Build up the poles underneath the awning roof, starting at one side and working round.  If at any time it feels like you might argue, stop, sit down, and have a drink.  Zip in the panels and extend the poles to approximately the shape of the awning.  (Don't forget to put the poles in that little front canopy bit before you extend the poles.)  Sit down and have a drink.  Start to peg out - the corners first, starting with the two corners that go each side against the caravan, then the other corners.  The fifth peg is the one in the middle at the front.  Surely it would now be time for another drink.  Fill in the remaining pegs, but don't forget to take your glass with you on the way around.  Tighten and extend all poles fully, adjusting as necessary - make sure that all zips are fully closed. Put up the curtains.  Go back to your seats and make a toast to the awning!  Take a photo of the final result in order to post on here, so we may all enjoy that moment!

This is the ideal way of putting up an awning.  By the time you have got to the end, you won't be in a position to argue too much about the awning.

By the way, if you decide not to put up the awning, still follow the above instructions - just take out any bits that refer to awnings or groundsheets.

I wouldn't worry. We have been away twice in the last 4 weeks with our first van and everytime someone has offered to help putting up the full awning as both times its been a bit windy! We have been really impressed with how helpful other people are on sites!

Enjoy and hope you get some sunshine and no winds!