Quote: Originally posted by humperdinck on 17/4/2011
Cheers Ange. I may consider digging a trench around the camper to keep the water out ...I'm sure the site manager won't mind
For 20 years now we have carried a folding trenching tool for exactly that purpose.
And never used it.
Right at this moment in time I am in the process of digging an 85 foot trench along the side of my workshop to install a field drain and when I have finished and can get back into the folding camper, the first thing I am gonna do is take out that dammed trench tool and throw it in the bin, 'cause I never want to see another trench as long as I live, let alone dig one!!!!!
We no longer have our Pullman but we found this to be the best procedure. Insert all the roof poles and extend them so they touch the ground at an angle. Build up the front frame leaving legs at minimum. Then put on the awning over the top. It is much easier to do it this way rather than with the awning attached first. Adjust all the poles for tension then peg down as required. If windy insert enough pegs to hold canvas while you are working. P:ut on the doors and side and that's it up. It should not take more than 20-30 minutes. Hope this helps.
Quote: Originally posted by burneth on 17/4/2011
Better still, come on a Pennine Owners Club meet and you will be inundated with volunteers to put your awning up for you
Yes, it would've been great and we did try to sort it. Unfortunately, as I've mentioned before, none of our holidays coincided with a meet so will not be able to make any this year and will have to fend for ourselves.
Lots of good advice on here has helped make it easier though
We are still trying to decide whether to take the pathfinder awning to Ireland or not.
It seems like a heck of a weight of a beast to lug about for a month when there is only two of us (adults that is, but there is two wee dugs as well), and so perhaps we will just use the main part and take the skirts for storing stuff during the day when we are away touring.
I think the weather would be a deciding factor for me. We have used the unit on its own and there is enough room apart from daling with wet dogs, but (before we got an adapted porch awning) we would have defo taken the full awning if expecting good weather, to use as a giant sun shade. For when we go to France I am thinking of taking the porch awning and ground sheet for that plus taking the full awning with the windows zipped out. That way use the porch for rain and the main awning for sun.
We will not be taking the dogs abroad this year as not yet had them vaccinated plus think it will only be one of them when we do get round to it as the other is a bad traveller.
Hi Guys
I've had a 535 for five years now ... after various routines, I find the following the easiest:
Always unzip the window panels when packing away.
To erect:
1. Zip on the roof/legs section
2. throw it over the top of the cabin canvas
3. Assemble the poles: attach the five roof poles; then attach the centre (longest) leg; followed by the two end (corner) legs; finally attach the two midway ceiling poles to the front frame.
4. Haul the awning over the frame and adjust legs and other pole lengths to fit.
5. Crucial to get the two corner fitting snugly ... don't overstretch.
6. Zip in window panels if you are using them.
When it gets hot .. zipping down the side panels a few inches from the top, creates a good through draft.
I'm now an expert in putting up the awning on my own just not a very quick expert!...
We we're packing up to go home today so thought I'd take the awning down early and then relax until we had to leave. I'd nearly got the awning down when the site manager asked if we still wanted an extra night or two (it was fully booked and we were waiting on cancelations to stay a little longer). We obviously said yes as the weather had been so good, so decided to pop the awning back up. Unfortunately when I went to pay I was told she'd made a mistake and could stay but would have to pitch elsewhere. So off I went to take the awning down ...again and decided to go home :(. It was a loooooong morning.
It was a genuine mistake so no hard feelings towards the site as it was excellent as were the staff and will definitely re-visit.