Ohhh, I was all geared up for going away tomorrow and then my husband is wondering whether it's a good idea. We'll be taking a 3 and a 5 year old (special permission from school! Their grandad died in the holidays so we didn't go anywhere) and an awning. We've decided to leave the dog at my Mums.
Si says it's a rubbish idea because the weather is gong to be windy and rainy. I think it's a good idea because at least we can spend some one to one time with the kids if it's raining (hahaha. I am obviously having some sort of sugar rush or something here...!!).
I AM worried about the awning though. It's a Dorema starcamp, aluminium, we have storm straps. Where we'll be going is windy anyway, but I should think it will be a bit hellish at the mo. We manage to put the awning up last time with two of us, all hands on but this time we'll have the kids with us. Does anyone have any tips getting it up in the wind? Do you think we should stay at home instead?? We can't manage without the awning as the kids will be bouncing off the walls.
All advice welcomed. I'm feeling very depressed not having been in the van for ages and getting geared up for it, only to be told we'd be better off in a hotel instead
But then, the kids are a handful at the best of times..!!!
we were at the sea side in the bank hols and the weater was rather windy to say the least we waited for a calm er spell to erect then made sure it was pegged as good as possible and srorm straps used it never went any where!! luckily wind had died down for removal.
we spend manty hours in our van with no tv just playing games with the kids they love it as we do as we work long stupid hours and time together is short
Go away and enjoy the time but if its windy, dont put the awning up.
Same situation for us in August, same awning with aluminium frame, two kids, one 5 one nearly 3. Was windy, thought the two of us would be ok putting the awning up (I normally do it on my own), wind caught it, came crashing down, frame buckled. Very costly!
Wished we had waited a day or two for the wind to die down, so, go, have fun, but dont put the awning up in the wind!
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
Lucyeff. If you know the site suffers from bad wind (!!), couldn't you have a look around to find a more sheltered site. I've never used aluminium poles, but from what I've heard/read, it's worth being cautious. I know it doesn't solve the immediate problem, but it might be worth upgrading to fibre poles. I've never had a problem with the good fibre poles.
It's a real pity to give up on a planned weekend away. I'd look around for a more sheltered site for the W/E rather than not go. I'd think you'd get somewhere this time of the year.
I know you say that you need the awning up but as you are only going for a weekend you won't need to take half as much stuff as you need for longer stays so rather than not go couldn't you go without the awning?
A lot of stuff can be stored in boxes in the car if you take out a couple of seats. We've done it, our kids are older so didn't need all the stuff you do but i think you could manage without the awning.
Rather than not go i'd compromise with the awning.
And a hotel with 2 littleuns would be worse than staying at home lol
My only advice would be to peg it down in the corners before you try to put the poles in! and then beg storm straps, even if you have to put few spare pegs in so you can adjust it without too much trouble. I hope this helps
if you realu have to use the awaning be checkyand ask other campers for help with it till its fully erected and pegs down and see what way the wnds dlowing and try and pitch with the wid hiting the van fisrt not the awaing
------------- Dyslexic not stuped
It's nice to be important but its more important to be nice
Thanks for the words of wisdom everyone! My heart sank when Si said shall we try a hotel. Our 5 year old has been really naughty lately and it's for attention, I figure that being stuck with her in a confined space with nothing to distract us will hopefully help with that.
I've had a look at other sites but I've only been caravnning three times and I love Wolds Way at Malton, the facilities were lovely and it's perfect for us to go to Scarborough and the Deep too. I know I don't need to worry about it being scruffy or the people not being helpful as they have been great. It's just the wind! We were hoping to leave it there for a couple of months too and try and make the most of going out there while we can, as we haven't managed it at all in the nice weather.
I love the sound of rain on the caravan roof anyway! Lol. I might not be saying that come Sunday mind you...
I think we'll see what it's like when we get there, we'll take the awning but worst scenario we'll not bother with it. Although I do love sitting in it having a sneaky bottle of wine when the kids are asleep, hee hee.
All we need to worry about now is trying to get the caravan out of the neighbours drive without hitting his BMW/gatepost/cars parked on the street. It'll be one helluva funky maneouvre and it's really awkward. But I'm looking forward to going now!
I'd forgotten how lovely you lot are. Thanks again for your loveliness. xx
Please go... lovely family time. But can I suggest that you plan for the worse scanario and have it mind lots of things you will do in adverse weather. When we went camping in bad weather recently, we took colouring stuff, lots of games etc to keep us busy. We have now discovered how much we all love top trumps probably too young for your children but sure you'll think of an equivalent.
As said above - if the site is known for being windy and its windy when you arrive, don't bother with awning: it can be done !
I have a proper (frame type) porch awning and recently went to a coastal site which was very exposed. I put the awning up - but the van was being knocked by the wind. The van was much more settled without the awning, after I decided to take it down. Plus I slept better without the worry. The wind was so bad- that some awnings on other vans: straps, pegs and frames were affected.
Thanks! We got back on Sunday evennig and we had a fab time - there was hardly any wind at all! The night before was horrendous apparently mind you...
We've left the van there with the awning up and we're going back this weekend. We tried Scarborough and it was lovely and warm but my 5 year old went face first into the sea as soon as we arrived, and we never thought to bring a change of clothing so it was cut short..! We're hoping for the same weather this weekend, forecast isn't looking bad so far.
We did lose the main long bit of the Bull stabiliser on the way there. My husband hadn't pinned it in, just screwed it. I'm still annoyed about it. We were lucky it didn;t hit something. So we're looking for spares on the cheap now. Gah.
A few niggles with the van but I feel quite excited about it again. Typical seeing as it's almost the end of the season!!!!
Thanks for your good wishes and advice folks, we really appreciate it.
the season can go through most of the year,we have next weekend with grandkids and then half term in five weeks,like you said theres games you can play and keep the little ones amused, best of luck with your next trip.
------------- its easy enough to be pleasant when the world rolls along like a song.but a man is worth while if he can smile when every thing goes f------ wrong.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Getting it up in windy weather :o(
), couldn't you have a look around to find a more sheltered site. I've never used aluminium poles, but from what I've heard/read, it's worth being cautious. I know it doesn't solve the immediate problem, but it might be worth upgrading to fibre poles. I've never had a problem with the good fibre poles. 
The night before was horrendous apparently mind you...
