i measured the distance between the centre and intermediate poles on the FC and cut the channel a few inches shorter. this is because the zip peaks at these points and the channel isnt as flexible as modifying with zips.
i then cut that length of channel into three equal sections so they would fold with the roof.(watch the way your canvas folds up and cut accordingly)
bear in mind that the distance between these points varies from camper to camper, so measure each side individually.
i did this for the two centre sections only as the awning stays in the middle.
i then closed one side of the channel up with a pair of mole grips (or pliers, or whatever) leaving just enough gap to slide over the zip.
the camper needs to be down at this point as the channel needs to slide over the bends in the zip where the poles are.
make sure you have the correct sections on the correct side of the centre pole.
make sure there is a slight gap where the centre pole is as the channel wont bend that much. it wont leak as the big flap covers it.
i then threaded the awning into the open side of the channel and put the camper up.
thats it really.
i used it at stratford upon avon at the weekend and it was very windy on the Sat and piddled down on the sunday and with the storm bars it was perfect.
i will post some pics and then show the storm bars ect
That's great, doesn't seem too daunting. Can you explain the storm bars, please? Are they the poles that hold the edges of the awning against the camper?
Thanks for your help, it's good to learn from other people's experience.
now, im a bit anal when it comes to putting awnings up, i`ve seen so many flappy ones leaning everywhere and it makes my eye twitch.
so, after vowing never to use the original awning again, i used a few of the poles as storm bars.
now if you look along the sides of the FC when a porch awning is used, there is a gap where the canvas is and the wind whistles through (or maybe our canvas is worn and stretched).
to over come this i tried to buy a sunncamp inflatable draught thingy, but no one had one in stock anywhere.
so i cheated.
i made two rear bars out of the original awning poles and put pushbike rubber handlebar grips on the top to protect the awning. works a treat. i then raided B&Q and bought four lengths of their fattest pipe insulation and covered them top to bottom. combined with the pad on the awning it made a snug fit on the bottom, but at the top on the canvas there was still a slight gap. however the wind was howling..
so, i cut the pipe lagging in half and laid the two pieces next to each other.
i gaffa taped them leaving an inch gap and fitted them behind the storm poles as a draft excluder thingy.
early hours sunday it hammered down and the wind appeared again.
the awning stayed in place, the draught excluder worked perfectly sealing the canvas and everything was dry and steady as a rock.
i will bw tidying the pipe insulation up so i dont get moaned at by SWMBO but im pretty happy with the result.
i would have likes an air awning or one of Lisas adapted ones but i simply could not afford one on a carers allowance.
hope this helps other skint people.
awning..Sunncamp swift 260 deluxe. brand new £100.
Brilliant! Thanks again for your help. We've found the big awning a bit exhausting and very hard to get the tension right. Yours looks much more manageable. So we'll start looking out for a suitable porch awning.
Loos great. I've heard of people using the figure of 8 but not seen a photo before. Definitely something I'll bare in mind if I change back from trailer tent to folding camper. We absolutely hated putting the awning up! Thank you for sharing.
Quote: Originally posted by homebird2003 on 01/2/2017
We have a Countryman too, don't see why it wouldn't work.
The only difference I can see is the countryman is not side
On so gets less protection from wind as less folding camper body to
Block it but I assume the skirts under the beds would allow some protection
It looks a lot less hassle than the proper awning we got with it which we
Have not used yet but with kids in tow this looks a better option for space and would dry a lot quicker
Ged, could you fill in your outfit and location in your profile. Thanks.
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