Travel & Product Tips

Doing it yourself has its own benefits. You could save a lot of money with the practice and apart from that you get to learn a lot about the stuff you are installing and a great general insight on installing things. Awning could be one of those things that you want to learn to install. You could attach an awning to your caravan or simply want to mount it on a wall at your home. With that comes the issues that you may face installing an awning.

Well, whatever the case may be, you should be well acquainted with the common issues of awning installation and that could be done by following a few steps:

Cracking Noise

You may hear cracking noise when you retract an awning. There can be several reasons to that noise:

Make sure that the awning brackets are completely tightened on the wall. While mounting them on the wall you might have missed screwing the bolts well.

Another reason that makes the squealing sound could be- the square torsion bar is not well seated on the mounting brackets. The misaligned seating creates a gap resulting into colliding of the torsion bar and the mounting brackets when you open or retract the awning.

Make sure the arms of the awning are tightly bolted to the roller tube. The loose bolts could be another reason of the cracking noise.

Winds

Strong winds could beat up the awning. If the winds turn turbulent, they might uproot the fiber of the awning. Avoid parking your caravan or camper in a windy area or if at home, retract the awning before the winds turn strong.

Motor

Motorized awnings are a great option and save a lot of energy but an electric motor has more chances to malfunction if not operated carefully. Very frequent retractions on a single use could temporarily shut down the motor. Let the motor cool down for some time. Also if you use cheap motors to save money, you might have to shell out money more frequently as cheap motors tend to go bad every now and then.

Apart from these, there are things to be taken care of while using an awning-

The fabric of an awning is made of canvas generally. Clean the fiber intermittently, it could save it from mildew deposit and subsequent issues.

Do not overextend the shoulders of the awning, it will sag the canvas and you would need to replace it. Generally, the fiber is not covered under warranty.

Hanging plants or other items on the front bar could collapse the awning. Avoid doing any of that.

Considering all the above points you could install an awning in a hassle-free way and save on caravan awning repairs.

Summer is just around the corner and its time to hit the roads again in your caravan. The weather will be hot but there is no need to skip a road trip just because of the heat. There are ways in which you can keep the caravan cool even in summer. Life on the road is not always tough and thanks to modern technology, you can indulge in personal comforts easily. For example, just setup a rollout awning and you get your personal space and shade right where you park the vehicle. All it takes is a little preparation and some research to keep your caravan cool in summer.

We have compiled this list of simple yet effective tips that will help you to enjoy summer road trips in a cool and comfortable caravan.

Add Wall Insulation

Most caravans will have roof insulation so you need not worry about that. For proper insulation, make sure that you get wall insulation as well. And if you are really looking for the hard-to-penetrate insulation for your caravan, then it is better to apply an insulating paint on the roof.

Go for Pop-Top Caravans

Pop-Top caravans are ideal for summer road trips as they hardly need any insulation. The vents in the retractable skirts allow air to move in easily and this helps in getting the heat out. This is a good option for those who do not want to invest in insulation at the moment.

Install a Good Caravan Awning or Annexe

This makes a lot of difference in terms of personal comfort and convenience. Get yourself a caravan awning or caravan annexe and forget about your troubles. The awnings and annexes can be set up in no time. Motorized awnings and annexes are also available which can be setup in seconds with the flick of a switch. Not only do you get your very own personal space, but also get to enjoy some much needed privacy which can be a luxury when travelling.

Change Your Caravan’s Lighting

Did you know that your caravan’s lighting can actually heat up the space? Incandescent bulbs and halogens give off a lot of heat which is obviously not desirable. Replace such lighting with LEDs as they are cooler and are comparatively energy efficient.

Park The Caravan in Shade

What better way to escape the heat than finding a good shade. Search for the perfect spot for parking your vehicle and you will be able to avoid heat. Trust me, this can make a lot of difference.

Get Proper Air Conditioning

Air conditioning may be an expensive affair, but it offers effective cooling inside the caravan. It will increase your energy consumption, but you can be assured of peaceful sleep and comfort even during the hottest hours of the day. If you have checked into a caravan park, then check whether powered sites are available. It will cost you more, but at the end of the day, it will be money well spent.

Do you have any other tips that can help in keeping the caravan cool? Share your tips and suggestions in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.

I am sure that you will agree that winter is indeed the best season to go caravanning. The camping grounds are less populated and traffic isn’t usually as thick as you would expect in summers. Probably the best aspect of caravanning in winter is that the caravan parks charge less fees than they would during the peak season. I love to go out on road trips and camping adventures during winter, but it does require some precautions and certain measures to avoid running into trouble.

Check out the following tips and follow them if you wish to have a comfortable and hassle free experience while caravanning in winter.

Keep Yourself Warm

Keeping yourself warm is an absolute necessity during winters unless you want to spoil your experience. It’s quite easy to stay warm. Get a good jacket, some gloves, a warm sleeping bag, thermal underwear, and a scarf for protecting yourself from the cold. If you plan to stay in the caravan then you would need to ensure that a warm ambiance is maintained inside the caravan. A good way to do this is to leave the heating on a very low level when you are not in the caravan. When you return, all you need to do is to increase the heating slightly and you would get the warmth that you need without putting a lot of stress on the heating system.

Use a Self-Inflating / Foam Mattress

It would be a good idea to avoid air mattresses. A self-inflating mattress or a foam mattress would be a better choice in terms of getting the desired warmth. Both of these mattresses help to prevent the heat from escaping into the ground. This is what happens when you use an air mattress. The warmth dissipates into the ground and you would feel like the cold is being sucked away from right beneath you. I am sure you wouldn’t want that to happen.

Cover the Piping / Containers with Insulators to Prevent Freezing

Freezing of water in containers and the piping is a common occurrence. The thing that complicates the problems is ignorance of the outcomes. Wrapping the container in insulating material can help prevent the contents of the carrier from freezing. You can use common items such as bubble wrap, old duvets or quilted coats to cover the carriers as they offer adequate insulation.

Change Your Gas Supply

This is something that gets overlooked while planning a caravan trip during the winter season. Not only would you be required to change the gas system, but you would have to switch from butane to propane cylinders. Propane is capable of operating at a higher pressure than butane and works even in temperatures like -40 degrees Centigrade. You would be required to change the regulator as well because a single regulator may not be compatible with both cylinders. It would be a good idea to consult with your local gas supplier and make sure that you abide by all the safety regulations to prevent any fatal outcomes later.

Store Your Caravan Carefully

Just because the vehicle is parked away or kept in storage, it doesn’t make the vehicle immune to the cold. The chances for the development of issues are similar to when the vehicle is being used. Before storing the caravan, make sure that you drain down all the water systems, including commonly overlooked things like toilet flush reservoir water heater and toilet cassette.

Keep the taps in the central open position as this will help in releasing any vent up pressure which is caused by frequent expansion / contraction of water due to temperature differences. Make sure that water is removed completely from the system and proper insulation is provided for the same.

Conduct Routine Checks

It is difficult to predict and estimate all the problems that could occur in the caravan during winter. The best way to keep things under control would be to conduct routine checks and maintenance for the caravan. While inspecting the vehicle, it would be a good idea to check the caravan awning and other accessories for signs of damage. If these things are not repaired in time, then it could turn out to be an expensive affair. Plus, your mood would also be spoiled.

I hope that these tips helped you to have a trouble-free winter caravanning experience. Do share your views and opinions in the comments section below. If you have tips other than the ones mentioned above, then feel free to pen them down as it could help others to overcome similar problems. Happy caravanning!

Nothing is ever a hassle as long as you follow the provided instructions carefully. People often find it rather tedious to set up caravan awnings or annexes but the fact is that it is easy to set up such structures. Do not go by the overall construction of these awnings as they may seem to be very technical (which they are), but that is only to make them work properly. However, you do not have to do anything overly technical to set it up.

Here is how you set up a roll out awning for a caravan:

1. The first thing that you need to do is to unlock the travel locks and move the latches into place. This should take just under a minute.
2. Now you need to undo the ratchet. You will notice a small loop hanging out of the awning roll. Grab it with the hook at the end of the rod that you have in your hand, and then just pull it.
3. As soon as you pull away, the awning will come down into position with its attached legs holding it in the right spot. At this point, you need to bring in the support arms and fix it into place.
4. The legs which are attached to the front corners of the awning will have their other end positioned under the caravan. You just need to bring them out and put up the legs in the right position. Lock it into position and give it a light tug to see if it is held in place.
5. Take the pressure off the roller and make sure that it is at 90 degrees. At this point, lock off the supporting arms.

This is just about it and the work would have been done faster if you had an extra person to help you to manage the other side of the awning. Now the above procedure was for a caravan awning that has the legs attached to the lower side of the caravan. If you want the legs to stand upright for the “awning patio position”, then just unlatch the end of the legs from the caravan and move it into position. You could also use this upright awning as a base for putting up your annexe.

For awnings that exceed 16 ft or 17 ft, a central arm is provided to add stability to the structure. So when you have a central arm, just unlock it, remove it from the latch and bring it up to the locating arm. This needs to be locked into position as well.

When you are done with the awning and you need to move on ahead, just follow all of the above mentioned steps in reverse and that should help you to roll up the awning and lock it into place before you drive off. Just do everything in the right order and you should get the things done in a jiffy.

The right caravan awning can make a lot of difference when it comes to its usage. Such awnings are more than just three sided tents, they are your personal space and you should not settle for anything less than the best. Surely you can try to find “compatible” awnings that are somewhat manageable but for a truly awesome experience, you need to find an awning that is nothing less than “perfect” for your caravan. Here are 4 steps to get you started with your selection.

Step #1: Measure Your Caravan

This is the most important step in the selection process as every aspect of the awning will depend on this. You need to take the exact measurements as per your RV’s structure and decide the best dimensions that should do justice for your requirements.

If you have no clue as to what to measure and how to measure it, then ask the manufacturers to send over a team who will not only take measurements but they will also suggest you some really good inclusions which should give you more perspectives to think upon.

In case you are planning on purchasing one from the market, then you should seek help in understanding what needs to be measured and how you should measure it such that you are able to explain it to the vendors. However, it is suggested that caravan awnings should be customized as per personal specifications to make it really suitable for your vehicle.

Awning sizes largely depend on the length of the caravan and more importantly your budget. The bigger the size of your caravan, the bigger will be the awning. So consider these two factors also.

Step #2: Select the Appropriate Material

The fabrics for awnings vary a lot in terms of weight, texture, feel and overall looks. You can start with thin polyester fabric which is the lightest awning material and will also suit low budgets. If you have the funds, then you can always go for top quality solution-dyed acrylic, awning fabrics. Vinyl and canvas are also good alternatives to consider when selecting the fabric. However, this decision is completely based on the type of use that the awning will be put to.

If you are an infrequent traveller then you can go with lightweight and cheap variants as they can survive less usage. But if you are a travel enthusiast and frequently plan trips / holidays, then it would be wise to get the best quality materials as they have greater longevity and they can survive the harsh conditions of the road better.

Resistance to water is also an important factor that you need to consider as you need to keep the water out whenever it rains. This will be a great help in situations when you need to step under a shade to escape sudden downpours.

Step #3: Check Out the Possible Designs

Do you need a porch or a full-fledged awning? This is one question that you should definitely ask yourself as most people are usually undecided on this aspect. A full awning will more than double your living space. Once you have made a decision, you need to evaluate your needs again for selecting the right frame. While steel frames are often used as the standard, you can also go for aluminium if you need a lighter construction. It depends completely on your needs and your caravan. Just spend some time checking out the various designs and select one after you have compared the available variants.

Step #4: Choose Your Awning Manufacturer Carefully

There are several awning manufacturers in the market who have some really good designs. But merely the presence of good designs does not mean that the manufacturer is the most suitable one for you. You need to identify whether you are being given adequate presales and post-sales support. It would be a wise step to check up on the reviews of other customers so that you can get a better understanding of the quality of the services. In case you are not able to install the awning on your own, you should ask the manufactures / dealers to assist you in installing it correctly. Don’t decide in haste. Just consider every factor carefully before making your move.

Now that you have gone through the suggestions, you should have a better understanding of the selection process and what it takes to get your perfect caravan awning. Research is the key to getting the right product for you. So keep checking out the trends and try to acquire knowledge about maintaining and caring for the awning. It would be good to make a checklist and then use it as a criteria for selecting the best caravan awning for you.