I don't mean with practice do you get quicker. But does a brand new awning "bed in" and become easier to thread into the awning rail?
First time I've used an awning today and its a new Sunncamp porch awning. Getting it to run along the awning rail was a nightmare. Is it stiff because its new? If not any tips for making it easier?
I made sure it was straight at the bottom and just tried pulling a bit at a time. It was hard work for the first 60% of the awning and then did seem to run freer.
Sometimes you need to clean out the awning rail to allow the beading to slide through, it's usually full of spiders and pine needles for some reason. You can get a lubricant to make life easier as well.
Rob
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Thanks Rob. Must admit it did cross my mind that a can of hairspray would have been useful. Caravan is new to me and seems spotless as I bought it from a dealer but I'll brush out the rail and get some lubricant if that doesn't help.
I feel like I've been lifting weights all morning and I'm dreading trying to get it out the rail on Monday!
Quote: Originally posted by binka on 18/4/2014
Thanks Rob. Must admit it did cross my mind that a can of hairspray would have been useful. Caravan is new to me and seems spotless as I bought it from a dealer but I'll brush out the rail and get some lubricant if that doesn't help.
I feel like I've been lifting weights all morning and I'm dreading trying to get it out the rail on Monday!
I don't think hairspray would help as it's sticky. WD40 would probably be better if it doesn't damage the awning. I am sure someone on here will be able to tell you the best lubricant to use.
You need silicone lubricant to do the job, once you do that it slides in much better.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
We use silicon lubricant as well works a treat and makes it so much easier to pull the awning through. Only use a little bit though along the rail in various places as you go
------------- Live life to the full you are a long time dead
Silicone furniture polish works a treat. We also invested in a yellow strip to put in awning rail when not in use. Helps keep spiders out and also reduces black streaks.
Another tip is to tie a knot in then end of a shoes lace or old guy rope and pull that through the rail before hand. I also spray some silicone on the knot so it cleans and lubricates at the same time
We have just had a problem fitting a new awning to our caravan. The shoe lace was great for cleaning the rail and has a place in the tool box now! It still was stiff to feed in, until we used Red Muclin on the awning edge, which we normally buy for our fishing lines. It worked a a treat. This is it - http://www.phoenixclassics.com/product/33
------------- Debutante Caravanners - 14 years living in the Loire Valley