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There are specialist firms who can alter awnings. But if it's brand new then the simplist solution is to take it back and get the right size. After all you will have it for some time so you might as well get it right and save the hassle, You only need to do it once.

harryb

if  i were you i would keep the awning as 1 size to big is not a large amount.

splay the end of the awning out to take up the slack .i would sooner have an awning 1 size to big because on a slopping site you will need the extra length.i have had experience of this where the awning hardly reached the ground

look here for awning alterations and repairs.

Servicing and Repairs

IE.

Tent & Awning Clinic
Fenham Newcastle upon Tyne Click here for full details of this company Please mention the UKCampsite.co.uk when you contact this company

I think it depends how much too big it is really.

When you say '1 size' too big, there could be a very big variation involved.  What is the van's actual 'A' measurement and what is the size of the awning that you have bought?

Let's imagine you had van measuring 853cm, and you should have bought an awning size 850-900cm and instead you bought one to fit 900-950cm - then it would be massively too big!  However, if your van's 'A' measurement was 893cm and you bought the larger awning, then it would not be such a great issue.

Personally, I don't think raising the van would be a good solution, your caravan doorway would be very high to step in and out of, and the whole awning would slope away from the van quite badly.  You may also end up with a gap along the bottom edge of the van inside the awning which is too deep for an awning skirt and therefore would be very draughty.  Last but not least, other caravanners would look at your awning and remark to themselves how badly it was fitting   (Not a nice thing to say, but true!!).

If you haven't unpacked the awning, I would strongly suggest taking it back and asking for an exchange to the right size.  Alterations are possible, but are not cheap - typically around the £150 mark.  If you have unpacked it, then the supplier may not be willing to help you, unless of course you chose that size on the strength of their advice.

Thaks for all the info and advice, I decided to keep it and went away this weekend to find out that bigger is better, the pitch we were on was so uneven the oversize awning compensated nicely. thanks to everyone though

happy camping