We always take them out as well. One other thing we do is to is to start at one end and work our way to the other end. A lot of people seem to start in the middle. You have to put it up a few times before you find a way thats easiest for you.Good luck.
lol We have always took our awning down and up with sides in, never had problems,940cm have done it for years, no swearing or shouting, except hubby does get a bit warm when putting it up, stuck under the awning putting all the poles in place!! Never really thought about if we take panels out and do it after it would be cooler as well.!!!but i must confess, we have just bought a new van and have to have a new awning, much bigger, and it looks simple on the video they attach to the internet page!! and i think from now on will try the ''proper'' way.
Can I suggest a way to make it even easier? With the awning fully up I made 4 cords with hooks on each end, each cord the size of a door (usually there will be 2 pairs of cords). Then with the awning up, I hook the cords onto the "D" rings at the bottom of each door opening, and then peg down. Once the main awning is pegged down I remove the cords and pack away until next time. That way I can put the doors on later and know they will fit. It is also easier when it is windy as the important one can steady the awning while I get the corner pegs in.