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Just picked up a 2nd hand Bradcot awning for our twin axle van. Size 1050. Prior to this we just had a handy porch awning where everything packed into one small holdall.

Now I seem to have a mountain of poles, roof section, side panels, front panels, curtains, pegs, elastics. draught skirt.

OK with the poles, they all fit nicely in what looks like the original bag. The roof section was rolled up in another bag that looked original. I guess I can find a large holdall to take the rest.

But what happens if you have to pack everything away when it is soaking wet? Anybody got any tips on the best way to transport home all this kit when it has been subjected to the best of our UK weather?

Thanks, Tony

Tony,

Pack it away in its bag for the travel home, hang it up in the garage or garden till its dry, them pack away, job done.  They only rot if left packed away wet for a long period of time with no airflow.

If we have to take our awning down whilst wet, we put it into several black bin bags for the journey home.  It is then a case of drying out each panel as soon as possible, the roof section being hardest to deal with.  If possible, on the line during fine days is preferred.

Once dry, the awning is then put into its proper storage bag.

However, we do try to take awning down when dry, on a suitable day near end of holiday.  For this reason, we are considering one of those lightweight, nylon type awnings for last day or so.  This would allow esssentials to be kept outside the van, and it would be relatively easy to dry out at home.

Bertie.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Bin liners sounds like an excellent idea if the various parts are soaking. I have also measured up the space under the rear bunk bed in our van to see what size of plastic boxes I could squeeze in there.

Bertie,

If you are looking for a lightweight porch awning for the odd day, then I can recommend the Easi-porch. We used one on 5 trips last year, and left it up in some pretty foul weather. Only October in Derbyshire broke my nerve and we took it down at 2am !! The wind was so strong it did some serious damage to full sized awnings on the site that were strapped down with storm guys and goodness knows what.

Cheap to buy ( ours was £95 off ebay from a chap in Bradford). Quick to throw up, and even with an extra set of metal rock pegs, still very light. Like you I think the trick with the full sized awning will be to take advantage of any good weather and get it down a day or so before leaving if the forecast is bad.  

Tony

Thanks Tony.  I've made a note in my diary to have a look at the Easi-porch.

When I get the lightweight porch (as above) I will store the main awning, in plastic bags if wet, in the porch until time to leave.

I would beware of keeping a wet awning under bunks for even a few hours, especially whilst using van.  Residual heat could produce water vapour, which in turn could cause dampness.  Plastic boxes, even with lids, are not generally airtight.

Bertie.

Good point Bertie. Can't help but think we might both be tempting fate though leaving an expensive full sized awning packed up inside a porch awning. Whenever we leave our bikes in the porch awning, we always padlock them together to deter any theft.

Well, it would only be for the last day or two, and the sites where we use the main awning are pretty good on security; most of the campers are regulars and all known to the owners, and most to each other.

Bertie.