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hi folks.. i really should have asked this before i pegged down last weekend..but hey you live and learn..     just bought a second hand awning and for its age its in excellent nick and no apprent rips tears etc etc..

When you guys are pegging down are you supposed to tension the awning downwards similar to when adjusting the frame or is the pegging down merely for holding the awning in place once its all tensioned correctly... should it always be a case of dropping the height of the awning enough to peg down without straining the canvass downwards -   does that makes sense ?         

the pitch we are on is uneven and newly laid (not-so-hard-standing) so its been difficult to firmly peg so ive used home made wooden v-shaped stakes )  im worried in case i peg it down with too much tension and chance popping some seams on the zips etc ........   sorry if its a daft question.... but your guidance is needed yet again.  regards,     

You want it so that the material isn't creased and flapping around, but not so tight that it is under too much pressure. It's really just using your judgement as what works best.

I always use a storm strap in case of high winds - that way the awning is protected from the worst that wind can do.

I iwas told to tension first then peg by the guy who's awning was the only remaining one left after the recent 'gales in wales' so I did what he said, but it still doesnt look as pristine- i'm obviously pitching next to an expert,  so practice makes perfect i guess.  i have a storm strap as well now. 

thanks for your advice & opinions , much appreciated. 

Tension...then step outside to see if its straight...tops of window going out at 90 degrees from caravan. Check that the bottom of the awning is at or about ground level and then peg down. Then tension again...pop outside for another look....maybe adjust a peg or two and tension...something like that...suppose we all have our own little ways.

If it stays up its right

Phil

As an aside....

Our eldest daughter is blond - whilst pitching during high winds I asked her to hold one of the poles whilst I went delving in the boot for a hammer. I noticed the bloke opposite killing himself laughing, and thought I'd done something daft - turned round to see daughter doing a pole dance routine to relieve the boredom. She hadn't realised that several caravans opposite had people in them - dropped the pole, and disappeared for a very long time. I was so proud.