Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Trailer Tents and Folding Campers 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Conway Challenger - problems with awning Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonMintchocchips
07/8/2016 at 1:01pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: None Entered View Mintchocchips's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mintchocchips Reply   Quote Mintchocchips Quote  
Joined: 07/8/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Help! We (my DH, myself and 2 boys) share a Conway Challenger with my parents (they own it, we all use it). We've had it for about 5 years.

We have never managed to get the awning or the skirts pitched to our satisfaction. We can never get the bottom of them flush with the ground - it seems that the whole frame is too high up - even when the legs of the frame are at their lowest setting. We've tried lowering the stabilising legs on the trailer but even at their lowest setting it still sits too high. As a result, it's very hard to peg in flush to the ground - so the pegs that we do manage to get in slip out easily and the grey, plastic flaps on the bottom then get blown around and scrape up clouds of dust all the time.

To add to our woes, we are based in the south of France so most of our camping is done at sites that are hot, dry, windy and dusty, with not a scrap of grass around - and it's damn near impossible to get a peg in the ground never mind a whole bunch of them.

Any tips? Other than move north...

Thanks in advance.


PersonBlue Sky Pennine
07/8/2016 at 1:14pm
 Location: Redditch
 Outfit: Changes almost daily!! View Blue Sky Pennine's Profile View Profile   Reply to Blue Sky Pennine Reply   Quote Blue Sky Pennine Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1365
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I must admit, I'm a bit confused by this question, as the awning poles lower down to about 3 foot in height, so it doesn't make sense that it is too high up on the lowest setting, as, on the lowest setting you shouldn't even be able to walk into it. Is it possible you don't have the correct poles for the legs perhaps, if they aren't adjusting fully?

-------------
The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..


PersonMintchocchips
07/8/2016 at 1:21pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: None Entered View Mintchocchips's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mintchocchips Reply   Quote Mintchocchips Quote  
Joined: 07/8/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi there

I mean that once the frame is fully erected (legs fully straightened out) and the canvas is in place, and the legs are at the lowest setting on the adjustable part of the leg pole, it's still too high for the bottom of the canvas to be flush to the ground. Does that make sense?

thanks


PersonBlue Sky Pennine
07/8/2016 at 5:03pm
 Location: Redditch
 Outfit: Changes almost daily!! View Blue Sky Pennine's Profile View Profile   Reply to Blue Sky Pennine Reply   Quote Blue Sky Pennine Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1365
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
What you are saying is understandable. The reason I say it doesn't make sense is that, in the circumstances you are describing (which I believe I fully understand) there is no way that should be the case. If the legs are at their lowest setting, on the adjustable part, you shouldn't even be able to stand up in it, never mind having problems with the canvas reaching the floor. Either you are doing something wrong, or there is a problem with the leg poles. Very difficult to be specific as to the problem without seeing the poles, unfortunately, but something, clearly, isn't right.

-------------
The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..


PersonBlue Sky Pennine
07/8/2016 at 5:06pm
 Location: Redditch
 Outfit: Changes almost daily!! View Blue Sky Pennine's Profile View Profile   Reply to Blue Sky Pennine Reply   Quote Blue Sky Pennine Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1365
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Aaah. Re reading it; is it mainly next to the camper that you are having problems (as I note it's an issue with the skirts as well) or is it all over?

-------------
The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..


Advertisement



Personnavver
07/8/2016 at 8:44pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Is it the right awning for the camper.

Has someone fitted bigger wheels or upgraded the suspension units effectively raising the camper height.


PersonMintchocchips
07/8/2016 at 9:33pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: None Entered View Mintchocchips's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mintchocchips Reply   Quote Mintchocchips Quote  
Joined: 07/8/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
AFAIK it's the right awning: it's certainly identical to the ones shoen in most of the pictures I've seen, matches the colours etc.

But I was saying to DH tonight that the whole trailer looks like it sits really high on the suspension. The bottom of the wheel arch is a good 2-3 inches above the very top of the tyres. The body of the trailer looks like it is very high (compared to a car or to my parents old Pennine).


Personhomebird2003
08/8/2016 at 11:35am
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Elddis Magnum 505 Conway Countryman View homebird2003's Profile View Profile   Reply to homebird2003 Reply   Quote homebird2003 Quote  
Joined: 19/7/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2094
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 20
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 2
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 4
Site Nights 2021: 8
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 2
Perhaps the canvas has shrunk? You could try wetting it and pegging it out so that it stretches. In the meantime would pegging ladders help?

-------------
Homebird


Personnavver
08/8/2016 at 10:18pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Sounds like someone may have changed the suspension to increase the ride height.

Many older units were too low for todays tow ball heights and they tow tail down on modern cars. Changing the suspension was a way of overcoming this and was often done with bigger wheels as well.


Personspinebender
21/6/2017 at 1:47pm
 Location: surrey
 Outfit: conway challenger View spinebender's Profile View Profile   Reply to spinebender Reply   Quote spinebender Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
does anyone know what the pegs that come with the conwaychallenger look like were they the normal thin round tent peg type or where they in fact a different shape


Advertisement



PersonMintchocchips
21/6/2017 at 2:03pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: None Entered View Mintchocchips's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mintchocchips Reply   Quote Mintchocchips Quote  
Joined: 07/8/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
My parents one came with normal ( i.e. Thin with curved over end) ones and some thicker v-shaped ones. Neither are any good - the awning needs to be well pegged down or it's a total PITA: we bought a lot of rock pegs from Halfords instead.


Personspinebender
21/6/2017 at 5:05pm
 Location: surrey
 Outfit: conway challenger View spinebender's Profile View Profile   Reply to spinebender Reply   Quote spinebender Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
thanks for that most helpfull


Personspinebender
21/6/2017 at 5:06pm
 Location: surrey
 Outfit: conway challenger View spinebender's Profile View Profile   Reply to spinebender Reply   Quote spinebender Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
now i just need to know how many to set it up fully any ideas?


PersonDarrenElbrow
22/6/2017 at 9:44am
 Location: Poole Dorset
 Outfit: Conway Challenger 1997 View DarrenElbrow's Profile View Profile   Reply to DarrenElbrow Reply   Quote DarrenElbrow Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2016

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   188
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have a Challenger, and can I ask the op how you are finding it so difficult to sort the awning out.
It's got probably the simplest awning of any fc,3 poles and 3 legs. It took us 30 minutes to put up the first time out , now takes about 15-20.


PersonLindylou 2
via mobile 26/2/2022 at 7:10pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Lindylou 2's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lindylou 2 Reply   Quote Lindylou 2 Quote  
Joined: 25/2/2022

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Can anyone tell me if its a 7 pin connecter thats connects to the towbar on a conway challenger


PersonFiona W
via mobile 07/3/2022 at 2:57pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5144
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 234
Site Reviews 2024: 18 
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
Site Reviews 2022: 12 
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 9  
Site Reviews 2018: 18 
Site Nights 2024: 37
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 32
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 20
Site Nights 2019: 28
Site Nights 2018: 30
Hi Lindylou 2. No one has answered your question about a towbar connector. That is probably because the elderly thread that you have added onto is about �problems with awning�, a completely different issue.
Can I suggest that you start a brand new thread with your question - but first off, search the forums in case the question has been asked before & check out YouTube videos.
Good luck.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Trailer Tents and Folding Campers - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

6230 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder