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Hi

We are in our first year as caravanners. We have bought an older caravan to see how we like it, so far due to hubbie's work we have only managed away at Spring Bank week. We didnt go far, only to York CC Site then on to Castle Howard. First day/night was a nightmare and we really did have the mother of all arguments that day/night. Just as well we had people around us that helped or god knows what would have happened lol. Anyway, we survived, managed to work out where everything was, how to do EHU, waste, electrics in van, oven etc. Next day we woke up to Sunshine and Sweltering temperatures so our bad mood was put away. Did find it however tight with two adults, a teenage daughter and two boys under 5 in the caravan so vowed to get an awning before we went away for longer.

We've now got said awning, a second hand Bradcot full size awning. We have never ever put up a tent let alone an awning!! We were going to go this weekend to Filey for a couple of nights just to practice with the awning but the weather and my little one being poorly has ended that idea. We are however going away for a week next Saturday to Scotland(then plan on down south for three weeks in August). We are going to go through to a big camping shop near Hillsbrough at Sheffield(towsure I think it is called) tomorrow if we can.

Question: We have been given lightweight poles with awning. Do we need other kind of poles or pegs? There is lots of equipment for sale to do with awnings from pegs to clampers to things to get pegs out etc, what do we really need? We dont have a groundsheet, have taken advice from caravan people from work which has varied from dont bother with one, to get a cheap tarp one, to get a breathable one?? Do we need sealant stuff to go round rails on van?

I am so dreading this lol, after our last venture but we will do it. If this weather eases up this weekend do you think it is best to try and put some of the awning up in the garden as a practice?

Finally, if any of you are in CC Sites in Killin Scotland or The Ranch Scotland during the w/c 26/7/09 and you see a family at war with an awning then please come over and have a laugh, i mean say hi!

Help very much appreciated!

Liz

What did you get with the awning? Any pegs at all?  When you get to Towsure you will be able to see the different types of pegs, some are much better that others.  As for the groundsheet, many campsites will only allow a breathable one  so I would probably buy one of these. 

You would probably be best to try it out at home first, and when you have got the poles sorted as to where they go colour code them (use coloured tape) and possibly make a plan of which poles go where.  This makes things a lot quicker and easier when on site. 

Thanks for these answers, much appreciated. We seem to have normal pegs with it so will need some rock pegs? We have curtains and skirting for it just not a groundsheet, we are not sure about the wheel arch cover, what is that for and how do we get one if we dont have one?

Any more tips or advice gladly accepted.

Cheers

Liz

When you have put it up make sure you thread the skirting through, you will then see if you need a wheel arch cover (some skirting is shaped to do this job,others not) You should be able to get a seperate cover if needed. It is to stop any draught coming through.  Rock pegs are a good idea, some campsite ground is really hard and ordinary ones are useless. If the awning has rubbers for putting the pegs in make sure you check these as they crack/break, and replace if needed. That should be it as for the structure of the awning.

Anything else you get for the awning is really up to you.sleeping compartment,table and chairs, storage cupboards..the list goes on and on if you let it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You really appreciate that extra space with an awning.  We are a family of 5 and only have a four berth Marauder.  Now kids sprawl about in caravan, me and hubby snuggle up in the awning with the fire on watching a film or just having a natter.  The kids also sleep in the caravan whilst half of out awning has the inner tent up with a lovely high double airbed which is lovely and cosy for bedtime.  Makes me want to go camping now thinking about it... never mind we are going Tuesday anyway

Some people call an awning 'a divorce in a bag', so try to retain your sense of humour while you work out how it all goes!  Hubby and I don't argue too much over the awning, but that's because he just accepts I know what I'm doing and does as he's told (I can work out how the poles fit together without colour-coding them,and I'm very fussy about how it's pegged, so it's my job - he just follows me round with the bag of pegs!).

Let it be known you have never put the awning up when you arrive on site and I'm sure you'll get loads of offers of assistance - accept them!

As for space, how old is your daughter?  Our daughter has had her own tent since she was 13/14 and loves it - she really does not like sleeping in the caravan on the odd occasion when it's necessary.  Teenage girls like their privacy and 'sleeping with mum and dad' (which is what sharing a caravan feels like when you're that age - I had to do it until I was 15 and remember the toe-curling embarassment vividly!).  If she would like her own tent, let her try it - she'll be perfectly safe and you'll have loads more space in the 'van. 

you have made me laugh scampi! You have a point, my daughter is 15, 16 at Xmas and a tent would be fine for her, are you usually allowed to take a small tent with you(is that what a pup tent is??) Only problem with her and a tent is that at the moment when we are costing a lot of sites, we are charged a fortune for firstly pitch, EHU and 2 adults, she is normally a third adult, then we have the two boys then the dog , then the awning.............can you hear the jingle of a till!!! A tent would just push it up more wouldnt it?

Liz

Thanks Jennifer, we do belong to the CC and are using their sites a week on Sunday so will give it some thought.

Liz

The best thing to use in an awning in Scotland is two chairs, two glasses and a bottle of Glen Morangie !!!!!!!!!!!!!.

 S

As you grow used to using your awning and as cheap furniture becomes available at say Aldi's or Lidl's (or the like) you will find yourself buying extras that are not immediately necessary.

As we eat in the awning as well as lounging about we now have an extra small table which we find really handy for putting food on (milk, cereal packets, the kettle etc) to save cluttering the main table at meal times. This is folded away after use.

You will see other items that will meet your needs and just make life all the more comfortable.
On the down side, for as long as you own a caravan, you will be buying things for it.

Our caravan is amongst one of the smallest in this club (see gallery) yet my 60 foot by 20 foot workshop is half full of "caravan accessories" 

Quote: Originally posted by jennifernn on 18/7/2009

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I wish we had a 60 x 20 workshop, our spare bedroom is full of caravan stuff!

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