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Just bought a Cabanon Mercury second hand and have had no previous experience of TTs.

We've tried a practice run but have run into a few problems. We managed the main cabin okay (except we didn't peg it out properly) and I'm not sure how to ensure the trailer is level.

Then we laid out the groundsheet but didn't peg it out until the awning part was attached.and erected. The groundsheet was creased and not as close to the cabin as it possibly should have been. So should it have been pegged out first and how close to the main cabin should it be?

The whole thing looked a bit lopsided. Then it started to rain and because it wasn'r peged out properly, water started to come through! (Dried out thoroughly)

We're  due a long weekend in Devon next weekend and I'm concerned that we'll mess it up.....

Any hints or help would be really, really appreciated.

As to pegging the cabin, once you have the four main corner pegs in and the cabin poles extended till the canvas is taut (taut, not straining) then you're safe, as were Don't even think of trying to put the awning up till the cabin is levelled and the canvas pegged as above. The awning all grows out from the cabin and if the cabin is not straight before you start, the awning never will be.

In practice a TT axle is so narrow there's little need to level it side to side. The bedboard adjustments will take care of levelling the beds. Remember the main weight of the trailer should be carried on the axle wheels and jockey wheel...don't use the steadies to jack the trailer off the ground.

If you're pitching on a slope have the awning downhill of the cabin. The cabin should be level of course but the awning will follow the lie of the land to a certain extent. This is fine.

As to the poles and groundsheet? I've got no experience of bendy pole TT's. I''l leave that to someone else!

Hi

We have the Cabanon Mercury, This is how we tackle the awning and have no problems with this method.

First peg out the groundsheet (make sure it close to the cabin) and peg it out tight.

Next assemble and place the 2 identical poles and the smaller kitchen pole on the groundsheet.

Next Zip on the awning to the groundsheet.

Then assemble the outside pole and thread though the canopy sleeve. Lift this pole up carefully (best with 2 people to avoid any chance of bending) Then peg out temporarily the 3 guys on the canopy.

You should then be able to walk into the awning, then take one of 2 identical assembled poles, lift and zip into the sleeve nearest the cabin first, then zip in next pole near the front. as you have the Mercury also zip in or tie on (depending on year manufactured) the kitchen pole.

After this go back outside and re-peg front guyslines and peg kitchen guylines. Also go around and finish pegging out the awning.

Best of luck, you should have no problems hopefully.

Rob

Many thanks Rob, but how close is close? Should it be touching the cabin canvas?

And Val, I love the video. Hopefully, that'll be us by next week ......

Hi there

we bought a Mercury last month and have had a few pitching problems. I trawled the site and found some excellent posts and a review that's well worth reading.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=130

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=10&TopicID=95136&SearchPagePosition=1&search=cabanon+stratos&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Topic&forum=10&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=10&TopicID=66330&SearchPagePosition=1&search=cabanon+stratos&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Topic&forum=10&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=SearchHope

Hope this helps.

Many thanks for the links - they were really helpful.

Any other advice on pitching TTs would be really appreciated.

On the subject of the Stratos, can anyone advise me how to fit the piece of blue canvas that goes across the entrance to the cabin - below the step (as seen on the first link Milo showed above).

We have never been able to work out how it should go.

Thank you

Janet

Hi Janet

The procedure should be similar to the Cabanon Mercury. This is how I fit it.

On the top edge of the blue piece of canvas should be 2 rubber bands. These attach on the sides of the trailer, on the nearest hook (the small black round ones) that you attach the trailer cover strap on with.

On the bottom 2 edges of the blue piece of canvas should be 2 metal eyelets, just put a peg through these and knock the peg into the ground. It should look straight after this.

Hopefully this will work for you.

Rob