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I think it depends on what you are looking for from an awning really.  We swapped from tent to caravan this year and found that an awning is a completely different beast to a tent - I think first time with any awning will be stressful sorting out poles etc but once you have them labelled and have had a few practice runs you can have it up in around 20mins.  Its a bit different to a tent though as at least your kids can be inside playing or watching tv whilst you put it up - which has made life much easier for us setting up.

We have a Bradcot Active easy alloy and an Isabella Magnum and we find them no trouble at all - OH did the Isabella by himself last trip which I thought was fab

Quote: Originally posted by chilephilly on 15/11/2010

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We have a Pyramid Tuscany - OH calls it "a divorce in a bag". The holiday hasn't begun if he hasn't tonked me on the head with a pole!

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With practice Awnings do get easier, like Tents :)  Colour code the poles 1st time and that will make it easier for next time. 

I agree with Fiona, get the caravan sorted 1st so that you can stick a DVD on for the kids giving you time to put up the awning.

I always let dh lead and i followed which makes it easier just having one person in charge :)

Just remember that putting up the awning can cause bad feeling so be prepared to just forget that bit and once it's up the extra space really does come in handy when you have kids :)

To be honest, I don't find any of them particularly easy to put up, but I have found the full awning easier since we took all the wing nuts off the fibre poles and replaced them with these:

As far as I'm concerned, whichever awning you have, the most difficult part is the pegging out, and the difficulty depends upon what the ground is like and if it's flat or whether a slope.  My answer is get good rock pegs and a small lump hammer!

P.S. Another major factor in putting up the awning IMHO is the weather!!  The wind and the rain in the UK, and the extreme heat in Provence etc., each add their own difficulties - I know which I prefer though!!

Full Awnings are never simple - they are designed to get you so frustrated that by the time you have finsihed and sit in your chair, glass of wine in hand - you get an immense smug feeling - what a wonderful way to start your holiday!

However - practise makes perfect and mark your polls with coloured electrical tape - I have gone from over an hour the first time to be fully set up in 20-25 mins!

Quote: Originally posted by devonfletch on 18/11/2010

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However - practise makes perfect and mark your polls with coloured electrical tape - I have gone from over an hour the first time to be fully set up in 20-25 mins!

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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 19/11/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by devonfletch on 18/11/2010

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However - practise makes perfect and mark your polls with coloured electrical tape - I have gone from over an hour the first time to be fully set up in 20-25 mins!

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When you mean 'fully set-up' do you mean just the awning, or everything in it too, like tabels, chairs, groundsheet, internal electrics, waste bins etc., etc.  It would take us about an hour (or just under) to put up the awning and another hour to get all the stuff out, but that would include water, waste, electric to the van, setting up the TV, Cadac etc.  If you can do the lot in 25 mins. then I'd better book myself in for lessons.  Do you leave your panels in to put up the awning, or do you zip them in as you go.  Sound incredibly quick to me - I don't know how you do it.  It would take me about 25 min. to put up the large lightweight porch awning. 

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