To set up a vintage trailer awning quickly, have your tent poles extended, tie-down lines unrolled, tent stakes and a hammer ready. Place everything in position on the ground about 8' out from the trailer. If setting up an arched awning, connect the shock pole sections and place them about three feet out from the trailer. Place the ladder at the far right of the trailer where the awning rail ends.
Now you are ready to slide the awning welt into the c-channel awning rail.
Steps for setting up an arched awning alone :
1)
Have adjustable height tent poles extended out on the ground in
approximate location, with tip end about 8' out from trailer.
2)Have
the tie-down lines, and tent stakes also in approximate position on
the ground with a hammer ready.
3)Have
your step ladder set up on the right end of the awning rail.
4)Get
the shock poles put together and place them about three feet in front
of the trailer.
5)Hold
the weight of the awning in your left arm, with your right hand guide
the awning welt along the c-channel awning rail. It takes both hands
lifting and guiding and moving it along, from the ladder in one
position.
6)With
your left hand lift the weight and help pull the fabric along, as you
slide the welt with the right hand.You may need to lift the fabric to
keep the welt high enough to go into the awning rail. There are
movies on my Blog and Facebook page.
7)Move
the ladder out of the way.
8)Insert
the tent pole tip into the right side grommet,keeping the pole tilted
so you can slip the loop of the tie-down line over it. Straighten the
pole and then go hammer in that one tie-down line. You do not need
two lines on one pole. It will neutralize the tension.
9)With
an arched awning, the tension to make it taut is from the shock
poles, not the tie -down lines.
10)Now
repeat process with other tent pole, tie-down line and tent stake.
Repeat, you do not want them really tight.
11)This
is how I set it up alone. Ready?
a)From
the ground, insert the fatter end of the shock pole ( if one end has
a metal connector)into the corner closest to the trailer. Make sure
it goes in at an angle to the bottom.
b)
At the opposite tent pole, tip the tent pole with your left hand,
while using your right hand to inset the other end of the shock pole
into the pocket. (This will be the narrowest end of the shock pole
going in at an angle to the bottom of the pocket next to the grommet)
c)The
shock pole will be drooping downward at this point. Re-straighten the
tent pole.
d)Repeat
process on other side.
e)Now
move the ladder under the center of the awning.
f)
Gently swing one shock pole up into the arched position over the tie.
Secure lightly.
g)
Gently swing other shock pole up into position crossing the first
one. Tie poles together with strap.
h)
You can try to adjust the poles some from the ladder, but I found it
was much safer and easier to tap them with a broom handle from the
ground.
i)
There is a sweet spot, when they are arched just right. Once you have
done it and can see the difference, you will know what to look for
the next time.
j)
The tie -down lines are to keep the wind from catching the awning.
The awning will stand up by itself without tie-down lines. if there
are two of you to set it up, I have some different instructions.
See
if this helps.
Link to video
