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We have recently bought a Riva, Dimension camper with a full PVC awning. We are having difficulty putting up this PVC awning, especially the roof, as it is so heavy. So far we have to take a pair of steps but it is still back breaking work which normally takes an hour and half to complete. Also we get a lot of condensation in the awning from which drips down from where the poles touch the PVC. We have been back to Riva about the possibility of getting an acrylic one but they advise that they no longer do them because of 'the problems they had with them'. Currently we are looking for a alternative lightweight awning but are having problems with the actual fixing to the main trailer. The camper itself is great but any tips or advice as to how to resolve these problems with the awning would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks, Babs 1

And there was me thinking Riva/Dandy were faultless.

Alan

Thanks for your comments Alan, I don't suppose anything is faultless, even our lovely Outwell Sun Valley 8 tent which we have just had to sell due to health problems.

However this still doesn't help with my query.

Thanks again Babs 1

We have a cruiser and put the awning up yesterday for the first time.

This is also very heavy and my Oh is only short so we had to use step ladders.

Not much help for you but just so you know you are not alone.

Im sure some one on here will have some great advice for you

Babs 1

I'm sure the more experienced Dandy/Riva owners will be along to help soon.  We've just bought a second hand Dandy Designer with the original PVC awning.  However the previous owner has had extra zips put in so that the sides can be removed.  This makes the awning quite easy to put up as the roof can be put up first then the sides and front zipped on.

Does your Riva awning have these zip off sides?  I would have thought Riva would be doing this as standard nowadays.

Not used our awning as such yet but I expect to get condensation.  I plan to make a cotton roof lining for it.

Steve 

Hello Babs..yes I am afraid condensation can be a problem with the pvc awnings on a dandy..ventilation is a must..we normaly leave a zip a few inches up to aid airflow.a liner would help as it would trap the warmer air in the roof space..but i am afraid that the only answer is a chamois leather or sponge in the mornings!

If you have the zip out sides remove these to decrease the weight..drop the front legs right down and pull the awning over the front of the frame..now you will need the mark one Dandy awning tool...a broom! use this to push the awning back and upwards towards the unit then use your step or box to press stud to the frame....had an idea once when sitting watching the drips in the awning coming of the framework to make up some terry towel sleeves to slot on the poles to stop the cold metal touching the pvc..might give it a go.....

No the weak spot on the Dandies the flippin awning.  There is one good thing about the awning it is so heavy that once the thing is up is is very sturdy. Also the awning is indestructable!  Thats it.. that is the good bit!

Condensation is a problem in Dandy PVC awnings.  I had zips put into the side of mine this does make it more managable.  The other plan is to use a motorhome standalone awning such as a movelite or the traveller 3 for a more traditional awning. 

the simplest way to put up a dandy awning  with relatively little effort is as follows.

first erect frame and attach to dandy but leave the front 'legs' telescoped down as far as possible.

use two of the readily available plastic stools about 9 inches high that stack inside each other ( one of them can later become a step for the door)

position the two stools INSIDE the awning frame in front of the dandies beds i.e.  just inside the awning frame frame

 lay out the awing in front of the 'kneeling' frame   with the roof upermost & the front  facing the ground

2 people  each standing inside the lowered awning frame reach over and get hold of the back end of roof that eventually tucks under dandy roof. 

both walk backwards towards dandy pulling  roof along frame side poles - do this slowly and evenly

when about 2 ft away from front of dandy  both stand on stools that you have placed in readyness - this will give you enough hight to continue pulling the roof along the side poles  untill you can shove it under the dandy roof.

one person remain on stool holding roof whilst other nips inside dandy & secures  a couple of stings  to  dandy roof poles.

finally secure odds & sods & peg out.

dismantling reverse procedure by lowering front of awning frame so roof will more or less slide down it when detached from dandy,

fold awning on ground so roof is uppermost & it is then ready to be laid out for next erection, so to speak.

The stools are also useful for shortarses to stand on when attaching quarter paanels to top of bed  side boards.

As far as condensation in awning it seems to depend very much on ambient humidity & temperature changes. and will occur from time to time and not occur much of the time. It will occur even with front left open under certain conditions. - a similar principle is used to collect water in desert survival kits where a sort of plastic umbrella is erected above the dry sand at night  and will be dripping with condensation in the morning!

I haave never experienced daytime condensation once that occuring overnight has been removed.

hope this of some help to somebody out there

george

Thank you all so much for the tips re Dandy/Riva awning, it's great that camping people are so helpful.

We will continue to use the PVC awning on longer breaks, but we went to the Birmingham show this week and purchased a free standing motorhome lighter awning by Royal which we think will be easier for short breaks.

Thank you all again

Babs1

Best way of putting up an awning is to attend a Dandy rally as a newbie and start to incompetently put it up....... Miraculously a cup of tea will be pressed into your hand and the awning will erect before you eyes....  Instructions will be given and advice.

Then you grab some coloured tape and mark every joint.... 

Real Dandy die hards though love the Dandy awning because it is indestructable and very sturdy .... this is completely correct.  It is though also very heavy and if you are working on your own and are not very tall this is very hard work.  I am on holiday so hard work is not a good idea.

Riva if you are out there we need something easier so that we can put it up at weekends.... If I am away in the winter I like a porch to chuck the walking boots and wellys in... You are an excellent company that turns out an original product but please the awning......

ordinary canvas caravan porch awning can be used on destiny & dimension with absolutely no alteration to awing.

take a legth of about 3 inch wide 'plastic plank'  obtainable from double glazing  suppliers  and cut to fit  aaccross the two outermost steel uprights in the hinged side of the daandy  above the door.

Attach a length of standard caravan awning rail to this using small nuts & bolts having first countersunk the BACK of the plastic so the nuts can be recessed. Cut off any jutting out bit of bolt so back of plaank is flat.

attach plank complete with awning rail to all metal uprights by drilling through plank & upright and pop rivet plank to uprights.  (locate uprights by feel)

the white plastic plank looks as if it has been fitted by the maker!!!

I used this for 4 years on a destiny with complete success & single handed erection in about 10 mins including pegging.

on the dart & desighner it  may (but I havnt tried it) be possible to do much the same using 3 short lengths of awing rail.  one attached (screws) tododor end above door and one each side attached (pop rivets) to the sqaure tube at the top of the 2 front quarter panels (i,e the square tubes that fit between door end  and hinged board at side of bed.

As long as the 3 pieces of rail line up when the daandy is erected  a porch awning should go on ok.

george

sounds interestin george..........

i dislike our pvc awning it smell....[rarely used] get condensation over night,and is tooo small...........i use a pop up gazeboo [at the mo]well fixed down with extra eyelets,only takes mins to pop up and down,will be getting a canvas one if i need any more room on the future,

Is the Movelite awning a good fit on the Designer?  I'm wondering if the door can open without catching the roof of the awning?

Steve