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We have one of these....

http://www.explore-leisure.co.uk/outdoorev_compactaliteplus_awning.htm

Puchased recently for a trip away over half term as a bit of additional storage and protection, without having to worry about re-packing a soaked normal awing if it rained all the time (which it did !). It's a great bit of kit and we would certainly use it in favour of our Isabella for shorter breaks in the new season..

However, we did find that the middle 'leg' kept pinging out of the ground. We were on a hard pitch, used (many) rock pegs and still the tension in the pole (coupled with a bit of wind) pulled the pegs out of the ground. Anything I can do ? The corner legs have tension straps but not the middle one - no-where for the straps to go I guess.

Tnx

Dave  

I suggest you make a little hole to sink the outer poles into the ground, I do this to all the poles if the awning is on rising ground, If the ground is sloping up then it's difficult to get the awning flat to the caravan, I use a wind break pole to make the holes.

Another tip is I use the sucker type coat hooks (three for a pound from the pound shop) to keep the awning tight to the van.

Dave

Contact the supplier you purchased it from - it is a known defect in a small batch of that model.  It arose because the angle of the steel poles (the bent ones) isn't quite right, causing the middle to spring up.

You should be able to get a replacement for the incorrectly angled bits.

We bought ours from Davan's in Weston Super Mare and they were happy to give us a full refund on ours, since ours leaked as well!

Dave

Sorry, but I don't recall any superfluous straps without pegging ladders, but then we only put ours up twice before we returned it!

I do recall the strange triangle gussets - there seemed to be more flaps than necessary and we weren't sure what angles they were all supposed to be anchored at.  We just guessed I'm afraid.

Ours stood up brilliantly in some very gusty weather, but unfortunately it leaked in many places along the seams.  That added to the pole defect was enough for us to feel unhappy with it overall.  It was a shame really, because we liked the size and stability of it.  Davan's were very obliging at taking it back, so I would be more than happy to buy from them in future.

hope you got things sortd Janet & John.

We too guessed our way through a bit oif the pitching and didn't bother at all with the extra triangular flaps - no idea what they were for. Will call in to davans at the weekend to discuss - pinging middle leg a bit of a pain but no evidence of leaks.

Cheers

Dave

Quote: Originally posted by Brasso600 on 08/11/2007

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hope you got things sortd Janet & John.

We too guessed our way through a bit oif the pitching and didn't bother at all with the extra triangular flaps - no idea what they were for. Will call in to davans at the weekend to discuss - pinging middle leg a bit of a pain but no evidence of leaks.

Cheers

Dave

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