I am new here, just to let you know that I purchesed a new Sunn Camp Holiday 400se (2007) yesterday, and what fun we had with it.
I have read messages on here before buying so was very helpful and thank you.
We we took it home and opened the trailer now that was easy, and getting the covers for cushions and mattresses out was good enough. The fun part was putting it down when the instructions said one thing and it was the opposite to what they said.
We also looked at the poles and thought we would colour code them and put in separate bags. We are out in the garden at 7.30 last night putting these poles together what fun that was and they was very stiff. We managed to get it up and then we colour coded the poles and put away.
Can i ask what do people do with the main canvas do you pack it? Do people zip it to the trailer and then pack so when they are setting up its easier or how do you do it. Any help would be appreciated
We take our canvas off completely and pack it into the trailer. If we left it on top I don't think we'd get our trailer cover on. Also, less likely to damage the zip that way. I know many folk leave the awning zipped on for ease; guess it's personal choice.
If the extending poles are stiff, just lubricate them; I use "Back To Black" car dashboard spray.
Thanks for your advice on this, we only got it yesterday so still trying to work out how to pack it all and i read that some leave it on and others take it off so wasnt sure what was best.
I have a Conway, but very similar design. I leave my awning zipped on to the cabin canvas. I actually think this saves a lot of wear and tear on the zips. And it saves oodles of time setting up. If the transit cover shock cords are too tight to allow the transit cover to fit properly then you can lengthen them, as long as you still can overlap the cover and the trailer by a few inches.
For pole lubrication I use Fabsil in an aerosol tin. Fabsil is what you would use to waterproof the canvas in a few years, so it`s guaranteed to not harm the canvas, unlike some lubricants. You can use it on sticky zips as well.
Thanks for that, i just dont know how to travel with it, at the moment it is laying on top of the beds under the cover but i know alot zip it to the trailer and travel that way. I guess I will have to try each way and see whats best.
Its going to be a fun first trip thats for sure on Saturday when we go away. The man where we bought it from said to use Mr Sheen on the poles have you ever tried that?
No, I haven`t tried Mr Sheen. It`s quite possible that it would be fine, but I`m a bit neurotic about home remedies when a tin of the correct product costs £4. Even with Fabsil I try not to get it on the canvas as it might leave a slight tide mark.
Packing a TT is definately a matter of trial and error and seeing what suits you, yup. Have fun though, whatever you do!
Thanks for that it was just what the man in camping international told us to use which made me think that was all, I will have a look at Fabsil and try that thanks for your help. I guess its going to be fun packing it thats for sure. I have the windbreaks that you tried out so will see how i get on with them too. Thanks again Melissa
I was told to use furniture polish when i bought my tt, Fabsil dose seem a better alternative though. Its the pole buttons that I find a pain, some can be stubborn little wotsits to push in.
It took us 4 months before someone pointed out to us that we had been packing the trailer tent down the wrong way no wonder it looked strange everytime we done it as we were putting the bed areas in last of all when in fact it was one of the first to be folded in .We dont leave our awning zipped on personal choice like you said .Keep trying to convice the o/h that the eldest lad would be at home sleeping in the under tent part but she wont hear of it .
We have a conway tt, and we have 2 awning and we keep the first one zipped on for ease but the second we unzip as we cant put the cover on afterwards but it is down to personal choice as we all have the same sort of thing but do things in different ways.
Hi we a;so brought 400se about 6 weeks ago have been out twice now.
We were reccomended by the store to leave awnings on for ease (but is personal choice though) , having left them on , that is how we would leave it. I have to say found it alot easier when ercting and putting away. As time goes on you will get better with practice. Got it down from 5 hours to 1hr 30.The cover fits on trailer no problem with awning on and all accesories stored within ( including tables and chairs etc).
I know and understand the problem with stiffness of poles again fabsil was reccomended and does not stain . But oh my god your fingers are numb and no good if you have long nails, cut them of was adviseof other half mmm, i dont think so .
The only thing to remove are the two window panels at the very front, and put them on before pegging. Anyway theres no wrong or right way, but if something makes it quicker and easier im all for it .
Enjoy hope you have many happy times in yoyr 400 se, its great
If you leave your awning zipped on does it not make the cabin heavier to erect ? I know it will be heavier but I thought it would be very heavy to lift and erect.
Thanks for all your advice, i am looking forward to taking it out for our first trip on Saturday, i will have a go at both ways by leaving canvas on and taking it off and seeing how we go. We have our colour coded poles already so hopefully wont take us all day
Yes it is heavier but it does not impare the erection of the tent so long as there two of you to do it, the thing is its that quick to put it up i would not do another way.