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Just got back from a weekend in Bedgellert with our brand new Sunncamp 350 SE. We were determined to go despite the Severe Weather warning for Snowdonia, just to try it out. We took a real battering on the way over but decided that since we don't live too far away, we would see what conditions were like when we got there - we could always just turn around and come back!

It was pretty damp when we got there but the rain stopped long enough for us to get set up ok - fortunately we had booked a hard standing, which was shale and soon drained away.

It took us quite some time to get the awning piece erected - mainly because I have a dodgey back and neither of us are very tall !! We managed to suss out the arrangement of the poles ok ( Caseys, who we bought it from had thoughtfully bagged the kitchen,middle and end parts seperately for us) but we had difficulty with yucking the canvas over the top of the frame.

We went about it by first zipping the awning to the sleeping part then pushing it up onto its roof. (Easier said than done!!) We then built the next section of poles and pulled the canvas over that. Then the last section, and pulled the canvas over again. This was ok and was the method we were told by the suppliers but everything seems to be a long way from the ground and has to be done at full stretch!!! (lightweight step ladder next time perhaps)

We wondered if anyone had devised a less strenous method of getting the awning up? For instance we thought about making up the complete frame on its knees (i.e. broken at the centre joint), pulling the canvas over the whole lot (now at waist height) and then somehow extending the legs and yucking the whole thing up to the sleeper and zipping up.

This isn't a moan - we are chuffed to bits with our new tt and had a great weekend - it rained enough to get the canvass good and wet (no leaks!) and then the sun came out this morning and dried it out in time for us to pack it away nice and dry - phew what a relief !! - there were some poor souls who were leaving when as we arrived, just chucking mounds of sodden canvas into the car havind just been through 4 hours of torrential rain and gales - yuk !!

Had the same unit before I bought my Conway Cruiser earlier this year. My wife is somewhat vertically challenged so we had some of the same problems that you did. Best way we found was to put the canvas on top of the unit having first zipped it on. Put the frame up but leave the bottom sprung section on each of the legs broken. This reduces the height of the unit. Pull the canvas over the frame, taking care not to get too much weight in one area of the frame. When you have the canvas right over the frame, go inside and complete the legs a pair at a time.

Loved the room that this very large awning/tent provided but we did get fed up with the amount of time that it takes to put it all together. In addition to the above I found cold beer invaluable to ease the process.

Hope that helps.

Steve

Thanks Steve,

Yes, your method certainly makes good sense. I was a bit worried about the strain on the poles but as you say, if the canvas is evenly distributed there should be no problem.

I have to admit, I did partake of a few cold beers during the three and a half hours it took us to complete the job - no point in rushing these things!! My wife thinks it might have gone quicker without the beer breaks - can't see the logic in that!

Thanks again

Tony

I have a 350 and I Zip the awning on and pull it over the sleeping compartment then put up the frame then with my other half we pull it over the frame which is minimal effort. As I am 5ft 10 I have a set of step ladders which I leave in the trailer when packed away. I am looking at cutting my awning in half and having a zip installed so for weekend breaks it is quicker to put up half the size and add the other half for longer stays. With practice it takes me 1hr 20 mins to put up which is a big improvement of 4 hours 1^st time. The more you do it the easier it becomes.

Hi Stokesee

Yes, I think step ladders are a must for the next outing - good idea about cutting the awning in half -  be intersted to hear how you get on.

I leave the awning zipped on, and fold it onto the top of the cabin before I close the cabin down.Saves a lot of packing time and stress on the zips.It`s a lot easier to "walk" the awning to and fro to fold it while the awning frame is still up to support the weight.

Hubby usually does the tall bits (I`m 5`4") but on the rare occasions I have to build the awning frame without him, I stand on the step/stool from the trailer. If you get the outer ections put up, there`s enough support to put the higher ridge up last. You do need someone to support the uprights through all of this, of course, but kids can do that. Then you merely have to walk the canvas across the freme...once again, you need an extra pair of hand, but the nine year old is nearly as tall as me.

One thing I do find useful is to use the central upright pole as a "prodder", to free up various bits of stuck canvas that are out of my reach, and the zip baffles on top of the roof. Use the blunt end of course!

Hi Val

Thanks for the tips - packing the awning away zipped on sounds like a good idea -I'll give it a go next time. I had already discovered the prodding stick!!

Tony

Hi everyone.  we have recently bought a 300SE and are going to try it for first time this weekend. there are only the two of us this time but we will be inviting friends and family in the summer months next year. It was interesting to hear stokesee say he/she was thinking of cutting the awning in half and i was wondering, has anyone tried just using the trailer part without the awning at all for weekends? x

oops sorry meant 350SE