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If you are a caravanner, then you understand the importance of a caravan awning better than anyone else. This accessory provides you the comforts of home even when you are miles away. Probably the best thing about owning a caravan awning is that you can set it up where you park the vehicle. With several motorized options coming out in the market, it has become possible to set up these things almost instantly with no effort at all. Everything is taken care off by the click of a single button.

Before you get all excited about buying a caravan awning (if you haven’t bought one till now), make sure that you know your needs. You wouldn’t want to end up with an awning that is not compatible with your lifestyle. For example, a full awning looks pretty neat with a full setting, but it will do no good to a person who only needs a small sheltered space. The additional investment as well as bulk of the accessory doesn’t really justify his actual needs. It is, therefore, important to get the most appropriate caravan awning for your caravan.

Canopy Awning

If you have seen roller blinds, then it would be difficult for you to understand the dimensions of canopy awnings. These awnings provide a limited sheltered area which is good enough to get some shade. This is great for people who travel alone or in small numbers and do not require a fully equipped personal space. In terms of convenience, this is quite easy to set up and can be put away within a minute.

Porch Awning

Porch awnings provide extended personal space that resembles a porch area. It might not be a complete set like a full awning, but it definitely gives more space than a canopy. This space can be used as a personal porch where you may place your muddy shoes or you may also place chairs and remain dry on a rainy day. You should buy this awning only if you intend to make good use of this space. Not only would it need more investment, but it would also require some efforts to set up.

Full Awning

This awning is just like a portable home and covers the entire length of the caravan. With this awning, it is possible for you to make space for sleeping as well. If required, this space can be used as dining area or even a lounge. Due to the availability of this awning in different sizes, you can get larger sized options in case you intend to travel with a large group. However, a larger one means that the size of the fabric will similarly be larger which increases its weight. This can induce difficulty in the transportation of the awning.

Some Important Tips

The caravan is an expensive accessory and may not be strong enough to withstand all damages. Most of these damages are hard to anticipate. It is therefore advised to take a good look at your caravan’s insurance policy to see whether it includes cover for your caravan’s awning. Whenever in doubt, make sure that you consult professional experts for the best advice on the awnings that will suit your need perfectly.

Caravans usually have an onboard gas system for allowing cooking to be carried out inside it. Not only is the gas system useful in cooking, but it also keeps the caravan warm. This can be pretty useful, especially when the weather outside is cold. The caravan’s gas system needs to be managed carefully to avoid any explosions or other fatal outcomes. This requires periodic maintenance and immediate repairing of damages that are detected.

Why Is Caravan Gas Safety So Important?

No matter how careful you might while handling the gas system, it is a volatile substance eventually. Without proper safety measures, it would be difficult to ensure the maintenance of a safe environment within the caravan. While it is important to conduct periodic maintenance for the system, it is even more important to get it done by professionals to avoid any mess-ups later.

Secondly, all caravans need to have proper ventilation to prevent build-up of gases inside the caravan itself. The vents need to have a permanent design which would allow the ventilation to be maintained throughout. It is best to leave these vents open and under no circumstance should you even think about blocking them. If there is a carbon monoxide build-up inside the caravan, then these open vents would allow the gas to move out and prevent it from getting concentrated to dangerous levels.

The problem with carbon monoxide is that it is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas. It is also deadly in nature and can cause death if the concentration is high inside the caravan. This is why modern caravans are equipped with carbon monoxide testers as well as smoke testers to make sure that all the appropriate security measures are implemented.

What is the Ideal Frequency of Getting the System Checked / Serviced?

The ideal frequency for getting your caravan’s gas system checked is once every year. This is not your average check-up where some pressure is applied to check for leakage. The person responsible for checking the gas system would perform a far more comprehensive check-up than usual, which includes monitoring the way the flame burns, monitoring the direction and movement of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle, etc. All of these checks are required to ensure that no fatal outcomes occur during the gas system’s operation.

How to Identify Improper Gas Combustion?

Improper gas combustion can be detected by checking the colour of the flame. A yellow flame indicates improper combustion which could lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide inside the caravan. A large blue flame indicates that everything is in perfect condition. So whenever you have a yellow flame, make sure that you get the system checked by a professional before it’s too late.

How to Detect Problems with the Gas Fridge?

The cooking system is not the only component that utilizes gas, the gas fridge also uses it in order to function properly. For identifying problems with the gas fridge, you need to inspect the actual vent (placed on the outside) and check for carbon build up. A carbon build up is usually marked by a black mark on the side of the caravan. If this happens, then get your caravan checked immediately and shut off the gas system completely till everything is inspected by the professional.

Caution! - Position Your Caravan Awning Carefully

Some vans have the gas fridge / vent towards the awning’s direction. So whenever you have a full awning or an annexe, then incorrect combustion could cause a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the van which would prove to be fatal. So before installing a caravan annexe or an awning, make sure you check the vents and outlets for the gas. This small precaution can help you to avoid dire situations and ensure the safety of your caravan’s gas system.

Have you come across an inflatable caravan awning for sale yet? These are really useful awnings that can be set up easily without any hassle. The time that is saved can be spent on enjoyment and having fun with your friends and family. Inflatable tents have actually been around for decades, but it’s only in the past two or three years that mainstream tent brands have to embrace the concept.

Inflatable awnings have always provided a great degree of convenience to caravanners with the entire structure getting erected with the help of an inflating tool (such as air pump). Developments in the design of this particular awning type have also resulted in the creation of inflatable drive-away caravan awnings. Isn’t that cool?

What are Inflatable Annexes?

Inflatable annexes are basically come with creating an add-on the room, which can either be attached to the vehicle or left free standing and assembled in just a couple of minutes thanks to its innovative design, inflatable ribs and arches. All doors and windows are fitted with 3 different layers including fine mesh, plastic window and a privacy panel, ladder straps and guy ropes all-round ensure your annexe is also taught when pegging it to the ground.

What are Inflatable Awnings?

Inflatable awnings are basically awnings that come with ready-fitted piping in a strong material which, once inflated to an appropriate pressure, complete a solid structure. Almost all inflatable awnings come with their own tent structures, a groundsheet that has been sewn in, and a connecting point for the foot pump that is used to inflate the entire structure. The presence of isolation valves ensures that the structure does not deflate accidentally.

The pressure inside the awning needs to be maintained within specified limits in order to keep the awning properly erected. Too less or too much air can cause the structure to come up unevenly. When buying an inflatable caravan awning, make sure that you look out for features such as ventilation, the location of doors and windows, etc. It is best if you select the awning as per your preference(s).

Pros and Cons

The pros of an inflatable caravan awning are:

• Compared to awnings with poles, inflatable awnings are much simpler and easier to use. Once the structure is inflated, you would have to peg them down like other tents. But apart from that, everything can be put up in no time at all.
• This is a quick alternative for creating some much needed personal space for living or for using as a temporary storage unit.
• With no bulky metal poles in the structure, the overall weight should be easy enough to manage.
• The absence of metal poles helps to minimize the risk of accidents.

The cons of an inflatable caravan awning are:

• The poles in the support structure are integrated into the design itself and this prevents it from being removed. This adds to the overall bulk which needs to be managed as a single unit.
• From a cost perspective, the inflatable awnings tend to be more expensive than the traditional options which have metal poles in their structural design.

Impact on Caravan Insurance

Inflatable awnings do not come under any of the general provisions in the caravan insurance cover. However, an inflatable awning can be covered under a specialist policy. All you need to do is to ensure that the cost value of the cover is sufficient enough to compensate for any loss that can occur. For a better understanding of the impact of inflatable awnings on your caravan’s insurance cover, consult with a legal expert or caravan insurance providers. They should be able to guide you and explain the applicable terms of the policy as applicable in your region.

Removing stains can be a big challenge, especially when these stains are yellow in colour and appear on the caravan’s awnings. If you have a dark coloured awning fabric, then it would probably go unnoticed. However, it could be pretty evident in light coloured awning fabrics. Apart from the decolouration of the fabric, the stains could also harm the fabric itself if it is left unchecked over long periods.

What Causes The Yellow Stains?

Molds, various saps and sometimes animal urine may be the cause behind the discoloration. Remember, when you go on a caravan trip, you expose the vehicle to the wild and this means exposure to natural as well as other factors. Be sure to check where you park the caravan as this would give you a better understanding of what caused the stains in the first place.

Removing the Yellow Stains

The first and foremost requirement for removing the stains is to ensure that you keep a regular check where the signs of stains may be identified in the initial stages. This would reduce the possibility of extended damage to the fabric or the awning.

Alternatively, you may use the following steps to remove the yellow stains from the caravan awning. Before treating the fabric to cleaning agents, remove the fabric from the awning rail so that cleaning it becomes a bit convenient.

• You would have to use a brush for getting the coarse portions of the stain free from the surface. Just make sure that the brush is not very coarse as it could cut through the fabric.
• Now that most of the particles in the stain are free from the surface, use a cleaning solution (cleaning agent mixed in warm water) and rub into the stain using a sponge. Remember, detergents are good for mild stains while tough stains (especially ones resulting out of dew / mildew) need Lysol or a bleach-based product to treat.
• Once you have rubbed the stained area with the solution, rinse it out with water. Most people would advise that a pressure pipe be used, but using water from a bucket would be a better approach as water from a pressure pipe could rupture the fabric. I am sure you would not want that to happen.
• You might have to apply the cleaning solution more than once. If the stain doesn’t lighten after using the cleaning agent more than once, then opt a stronger cleaning agent and leave it on the stain after applying it thoroughly over it.
• Once you have managed to get most of the stain removed, gently rub in some white vinegar and leave it there for 15 – 20 mins. Rinse the area with water afterwards.

Now that the stain is removed, let the fabric sit out in the open air and dry completely before you either fold and store it, or put it back on the awning rail. It is crucial to ensure that no moisture is retained in the fabric after the cleaning process as it could lead to the development of mildew. This is probably the reason why experts suggest awnings to be cleaned on a sunny day so that the warm sun may help in drying the fabric sooner.

Also Read: How to Clean Caravan Awnings in 5 Easy Steps

Caravan awnings are great for extending your personal living space when you go on road trips in caravans. But what if you caravan awning gets damaged during the trip due to bad weather, specifically a bad storm? Most people are not aware of the possible recourses that are available in this situation. It is easy for people to just get it repaired at the nearest repair center. But is this the only recourse?

Investing in a caravan awning is not an easy thing to manage. More than often the investment takes a sizable chunk out of the funds of the buyers. So it becomes quintessential to protect this personal space. Periodic maintenance and regular checks are important to ensure prolonged usage of this caravan accessory. But at times, the elements that cause damage are beyond our control, such as storms, sudden bad weather, etc.

Whenever you face a situation where your caravan’s awning is damaged due to natural causes like storms, use any of the following recourses to minimize the financial impact of the damage.

• Remove the awning as soon as you detect the damages that have been inflicted on it due to the storm. Don’t just remove the fabric, but if possible, remove the entire structure and store it carefully to avoid any further damage from being inflicted on it.
• The next thing that you need to do is to get in touch with your insurance provider to place your claim for either replacing the awning or getting the necessary repairs done on it. (A lot of policies tend to provide cover against awning damage. It is best if you review the policy details carefully, especially the fine print, before you decide to take up that particular insurance cover for your caravan).
• It is important that you inform the insurance provider every time you change your awning because certain insurance companies will only provide cover for specific models. If your particular caravan awning model is not enlisted in their policy considerations, then you would not be able to get insurance cover for your awning.
• Be sure to check the limits in place (if any) for the caravan awning that may have been implemented by the insurance company. At times, the cover may not be enough to provide the required benefits if the awning gets damaged.

Following these suggestions could prevent a big hole from being burnt in your pocket. Financial loss is inevitable, but with the use of these suggestions, you can definitely minimize the expenses that are required for repairing or replacing the caravan awning. Timely intervention and periodic maintenance are the key to ensuring prolonged operational life for these caravan accessories.

All caravanners do have an awning or an annexe installed in their caravans or motor homes as it gives you the extended personal space that you deserve. With a caravan annexe or an awning, you can take the comforts of home with you on your trip (even if the comforts are a little). You may have taken the time to understand the install the best caravan awning but are you aware of the correct way to erect a caravan awning? In our previous post, we shared about how to set up a roll out awning.

If you do it incorrectly, or you just open it up without paying attention to the details, then you could damage the awning soon enough. The following steps will show you how it’s done correctly.

1. Refer to the supplied frame diagram for your RV / caravan and layout the frame in front of the vehicle.
2. The next step involves folding out the awning and laying it on the ground just next to the frame. (The two front panels of the awning should be placed aside safely.)
3. Now you need to find the leading edge of the awning bead and this needs to be fed into the awning channel. (The channel is the railing structure that goes along the way around the side of the caravan). Make sure that you do this prior to installing the frame onto the vehicle. The awning needs to be fed all the way around the channel until central on the caravan.
4. With the awning now in position on the caravan, the bracket pads need to be installed. They should be attached on either side and one needs to be placed in the centre.
5. It is time to assemble the frame onto the caravan as the awning has been fed properly into the railing and the bracket pads have been placed so the awning would stay intact. This will make it easy to work with the frame.
6. You should start the assembly with the centre roof pole wherein the first pole needs to be fed through the pocket that is located in the front of the awning. One end of the pole is fixed to the centre bracket pad that was installed earlier.
7. Now the centre leg needs to be attached with the leg being angled back towards the caravan. This is important as it would prevent the frame from collapsing under the weight during the frame’s assembly. (The same process needs to be repeated for the two side roof poles and the legs).
8. The front poles need to be attached to the frame as soon as the first side frame has been assembled properly.
9. Once the assembly for the above stage has been completed, the leg heights need to be adjusted so that the top of the side panels are aligned in a horizontal plane.
10. Now use the quick release clamp to give tension to the roof poles but remember to make only a slight change.
11. The next thing that would have to be done is to attach the canopy poles. (You need to check whether this component is provided with your awning set.) During the process, you need to ensure that the protective piece of fabric is seated properly between the pole and the canopy.
12. It’s almost done. Now you need to zip in the two front panels. This needs to be done carefully. First you need to move the first zip to the third quarter position and then continue zipping from the bottom.
13. Once this is done, use the quick release clamps to give tension to the front poles. This will bring the central leg to the awning’s centre.
14. The final step in the process is to peg out the awning. For this you need to make sure that the mud wall is neatly tucked under the awning. It is best to start with one of the rear points. Attach the tension peg and then hammer it till it goes through half way. Now apply tension and lock off. Then continue hammering it till it goes all the way in.
15. The front corners need to be pegged next. But first, check that the awning is pulled tight and the leg is aptly located down the seam.
16. When you finish pegging off the other points, the awning is ready for use.
17. As a safety measure you could fit a tie down kit (which is available with most vendors and dealers) as this comes in handy during windy conditions.