happycamper11 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Hi all, Could anyone help me please. We are completely new at Caravaning and we have just purchased a Lunar Zenith 5 berth with a Dorema Special Awning, but alas we have no instructions for the erecting of the said awning. I have emailed Dorema direct but as yet had no reply. If there is anyone who could help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Hi Sue Have a look at this link:- http://www.dorema.co.uk/pdf/manual-instructions.pdf Hope this helps. As a rule of thumb - we always run the awning into the rail on the cvan - I often had it upside down to start! - so do not worry if you do!! Then construct the frame that supports the far wall (parallel to cvan) of the awning and manoeuvre it so that the bits of pole that go thro the holes to support the canopy are in place and the legs of the "wall" are set at an angle against the cvan of about 45 degrees with the feet of the poles very close to the cvan. It goes without saying with awnings that if it is too windy - wait! Having the far wall at an angle of c. 45 deg means that the awning will "Hang there" whilst the supporting poles can be organised. One tip we always do with a new awning (or a tricky one) is to buy a length of that grey foam pipe insulation and cut 2 inch lengths to clip onto the ends of the roof poles. Reason for this is that it is so easy to get it wrong - or a gust of wind moves it all - such that a poles comes out and swings back onto your cvan. The result is a nice big dent in the soft metal side of your cvan you will find yourself looking at for the rest of your holiday >:-( These bits of foam tubing are fantastic. We even use then on top of windbreaks that are close to the cvan as it prevents any marks or damage on the paint if they get knocked onto the cvan. Anyway, with the roof poles protected by the foam tubing you can clip these into the awning pads that allow the poles to rest against the caravan and the other end clips into the slot in the wall frame as it sits at 45 degrees. By then gently moving the wall frame up to vertical, the roof poles are locked in place and each roof rail can then be adjusted to tighten the awning up and the protecting foam tubing removed and put away for refitting again when the awning comes down! - it is just as easy - if not more so- to see an awning pole swing down and put a dent in your c'van when taking it down. The above is very "generic" thoughts on awning construction which I hope helps. I cannot tell you tho' - how much grief and anger a 50p length of grey foam pipe insulation can save. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happycamper11 Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Hi Clive, Thank you very very much for your tips. We are completely green to all of this and will be purchasing the foam you speak about. We will look at the link you mention later today, as guess what I am busy cleaning the caravan. No doubt we will be asking more questions. Once again thank you, I will print your reply out for reference also. Regards Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 One further tip is that until you get used to towing - it can be stressful - therefore just set the cvan up on the first couple of trips then do the awning the following day. Tired eyes and brains make awning poles disapear, bend, hide, refuse to fit etc etc. Best to enjoy your first night then tackle it fresh the next morning. Have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happycamper11 Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi, We have the awning up and it took us 4 Hrs. *-) But we took our time and considering we had no diagrams to help thought we did good. Took the tip on board and felt really good about it. Have taken photos now and have identified each piece. Taking down took 1 and half hours with labelling etc. So not too bad. It will be easier now when we put up again. Going on the first trip for weekend to see how we get on. :-D I had a go at reversing into parking place. Did it also with help from hubby. Good that we have a rather large yard. B-) camper now. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryowlgirl Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 It used to take us ages to put our up, people would arrive on site, park up have their awning up and sat eating tead before we finished. Argue, yes we did a lot of that when in the process of erecting it, the only time it went up easy was when our daughter did it and she was very young at the time lol. Good luck . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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