Product Tips

People often overlook the fact that taking proper measurements can mean the difference between a comfortable trip and a holiday disaster. Full awnings are caravan awnings that are designed to wrap all the way around the rails. So for getting an awning that fits your RV perfectly, you need to take accurate measurements. But when it comes to measuring caravans, people are often clueless.

You can compare the measurement process to be similar to buying a new pair of jeans. If you are not careful about it, then you could end up getting a pair that is either too tight or too loose. So now you should be able to understand the importance of getting an awning that fits perfectly. Surely you can rely on your caravan manual for getting the dimensions, but these are standards that are good only when the caravan is in pristine condition. There is also the possibility of the manual getting lost. What do you do when you have nothing to guide you with respect to the required measurements?

 It’s simple! Just follow these simple steps.

1. Get yourself a ball of string. You might even find one lying around in the house or if you have a cat, then you can definitely find one in its possession (cats love to play with a ball of string). You can go for anything that is flexible enough and has enough length which would allow you to measure the caravan properly.
2. Now you need to put a tent peg in the ground but make sure it is parallel the back edge of the rail (directly under the van).
3. Tie one end of your string to the peg and let the remaining string traverse through the length of the rail. Be careful here as you need to protect the rail as well as the twine from being damaged.
4. As soon as you reach the front of the caravan, you need to continue all the way to the ground till you reach point A (as shown in the figure above).
5. When you are completely sure that the string is still attached to the peg and the other end has reached the ground then cut it while keeping the end as close to the ground as possible.
6. Once you have cut the string, you have the measurement with you. All you need to do now is to compare it against a standard measurement tool and you can either measure it all at one go or you could fold it in half and just double the measurement that you get.
7. When you have calculated the length, just note it down and don’t forget to convert it into centimetres.

You now have the measurement for getting your caravan awning. Just take this measurement to a vendor or a manufacturer and they should be able to help you out with the most suitable caravan awning for you.

When you are out on a trip with your family or loved ones, the one thing that you miss the most is the comfort of your home. Your personal space is something that cannot be replicated by any hospitality service. Caravan annexes are great for carrying your home with you wherever you travel. But unlike cleaning conventional houses and accommodations, it takes a good understanding of the materials and the appropriate cleaning method for maintaining the quality of the annexe’s material. It is important to clean your caravan canvas annexe in the correct manner as it is subjected to dirt, grime, bird droppings and harsh weather conditions, all of which can negatively affect the material.

If you are not sure about the correct cleaning approach, then the following tips could help you get started.

Detach Removable Parts

It is obvious that you cannot clean your caravan annexe properly if it is assembled completely. So the first that you need to do is remove the parts that can be detached and unzip the annexe so that it opens up. This makes it easy to clean the material and exposes the internal surface where dirt could have accumulated over time. By detaching the removable parts, you can also check for possible damages as these would have to be repaired before it is cleaned. By separating the parts, you can also dry the individual components in a better manner. All you need to do is to leave them out to dry.

Clean Excessive Debris

Bird droppings, earth, sand or vegetable matter should never be allowed to remain in contact with the annexe’s material. This can worsen any damage that has already be made. Make sure that you remove these from the fabric with a soft cloth. But be gentle when removing such debris as it may have stuck to the material and forceful actions could affect it. The best way to prevent this is to regularly dust the annexe and hose it so that all such debris is removed without reduced chances for accumulation of grime.

Select Compatible Cleaning Agents

While soap and water may do the trick for you, but you often come across some stains that are hard to remove. For cleaning such stains and other hard to clean places, you need to identify the right cleaning agents like Camco RV Awning cleaner, which are compatible with your annexe’s fabric. After all, you would not want your beautiful annexe to be tarnished due to reactions brought about by incorrect cleaning products. Petrol, oil, solvents, kerosene and other similar fluids should be completely avoided.

It’s Time for Intensive Cleaning

Now that you have done the preliminary cleaning and the annexe is prepared, you need to clean intensively. You need to use cold water and a soft cloth for removing water based stains. In case this does not remove the stain completely, then you can use a mild solution of soap in lukewarm water.

Use a soft brush or a sponge for scrubbing the strain off the material as forceful scrubbing could damage the exterior. Most annexes are made from waterproof fabrics such as canvas and vinyl. You should be careful not to damage the finish of the surface during the cleaning process.

Some stains can be really hard to remove even with the soap and lukewarm water solution. In such cases, you need to use non-abrasive household cleaners, diluted rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach for removing the stubborn stains. But as a precaution, you should immediately wash the portion of the fabric with clean water, following which the fabric needs to be left out to dry properly.

Check for grime or dirt build ups in hard to reach corners and other places that often go unnoticed. It is important for these areas to be cleaned as if untreated, these places could be subjected to gradual damage which would weaken the strength of the annexe’s structure.

Check Again

Once the intensive cleaning has been completed, just wipe the surface clean with a soft cloth and then leave it out to dry. Do not roll up the fabric when it is wet as this could damage the material. Spread it out and leave it to dry naturally under the sun. Upon drying, the fabrics can either be rolled up or they can be installed again in the caravan. But before you use the annexe again, make a last minute inspection to check for possible damages or dirt that may be have been missed out. If required, perform the necessary repair work before usage.

Some Points to Remember

Cleaning your caravan annexe is not a big task, but you need to be careful so that you do not damage the finish and quality of the fabric. Here are some important points to remember while cleaning the annexe.

• Clean your caravan annexe periodically
• Use only certified and compatible cleaning agents
• Use soft cloths with gentle scrubbing for removing stains. Excessive force should never be applied.
• Never roll up your annexe when wet. Leave them out to dry by spreading them out.
• Make sure to keep a check on the accumulation of dust, bird droppings and other solid particles. Remove them as soon as possible as the longer they are left in contact with the material, the more damage they can inflict on the exterior.

Related Post: How To Clean Caravan Awnings.

Awnings are great additions to caravans, motorhomes, and other RVs as it adds a lot of floor space wherever the vehicle is parked. You should be grateful to the awning as it gives you shade and a comfortable personal space despite the existing weather conditions – heat, rains, hail, snow, etc. Such harsh weather conditions and life on the road can cause a lot of debris and dust to get accumulated on it. With a few basic measures, you can easily maintain and clean the awning for ensuring that you get a clean, hygienic, and comfortable personal space whenever and wherever you want.

Here are 5 simple steps to help you clean your caravan awning without much effort.

Step 1: Set Up the Awning for Exposing the Entire Material

This is the most basic step involved in the maintenance as well as cleaning of any caravan awning. You can never clean it while it is still folded up. The only way to clean an awning is to set it up so that the material spreads and every area is exposed properly. If you clean a closed awning, then the fluids would not dry up properly and this would cause the development of molds and fungi on the material. Remember, the awnings are made waterproof, so it is very important for the water or other fluids to be dried off and wiped clean. The easiest way of cleaning it without hassles is to select a bright and sunny day and the majority of your work is done for you. The heat from the sun will help the water/fluid (s) to dry up quickly.

Step 2: Remove That Grime Before It’s Too Late

All caravan owners usually face the issue of grime accumulation. Grime is the mixture of dirt, debris, bird droppings, and other stuff that usually settles atop awnings. Now you should get rid of this as soon as possible before the grime begins to set it. If the grime sets, then it could damage the material and also have an adverse effect on the waterproofing feature. Even water, if left over a long period, can cause harm to the material. The best approach would be to clean off any grime, much, or anything that makes the awning look dirty.

Step 3: Water + Soft Cloth = Easy Cleaning Tools

Sometimes, the simplest of cleaning tools can prove to be the most effective. In the case of caravan awnings, a soft cloth and some water can do wonders. Why is this a good idea? Well, awnings are primarily made from canvas and this makes it waterproof. Soft cloth and water are the two things that would not affect the waterproofing ability of the material in any manner. Also, make sure to use a light hand as aggressive strokes could also damage the materials. If the debris gets stuck in the cloth then scratches would easily be made.

Step 4: Use Standard Issue Awning Cleaners

There are many standard-issue awning cleaners out there in the market such as Camco RV Awning Cleaners. You don’t have to search a lot. Probably the RV / Caravan dealer might have a ready stash. You may also try contacting the caravan manufacturer for compatible and safe cleaning fluid. This will give you the much-required boost to the cleaning process without compromising the effectiveness of the waterproofing of the awning’s material.

Step 5: A Final Touch

If the awning is excessively dirty with a lot of grime accumulation, then you may use a cap of bleach mixed in warm water for getting off all dirt effectively. This can make a whole lot of difference in the way you clean your awning and for some really grimy awnings, the cleaning fluids can be a lifesaver. However, this strips some waterproofing from the materials so before monsoon sets in, you would have to reapply water-resistive coating to it.