Help Wanted with Awning

Help Wanted with Awning

We have recently purchased a A'van with awning from Gosford. We are thrilled with the van however there is a problem with the awning and we would appreciate some advice please.

The awning sags and appears too high to be acceptable in windy conditions. It appears to have been made for a lower van than ours (which has the higher sides plus adventure suspension). What experience have anyone had with this type of awning on the higher vans especially in windy conditions? Is it stable enough and does it flap and make a noise? Has anyone got any tips for pitching this type of awning? Does anyone else have this type of awning?

Our awning can be pitched with the roof panels taut but this makes the front slack and unstable - see picture or pitched firm at the front but with slack roof panels - see picture.

The apex of our raised van is 10ft 7in. The centre pole of the awning is 9ft high, with about 8 inches of overlap between the 2 halves.

How much overlap of the poles is necessary for strength, especially in windy conditions?

Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

John and Margaret Marshall

UPDATE 8/6/02

Looking at the pictures supplied by John & Margaret it appears that they have not extended the centre pole high enough. We have the awning and from experience you get all sorts of problems if the centre pole is not high enough. As to how much pole you should have inside I would say at least 100mm or else you start to lose strength and stability. Also ensure tie-ropes are at correct angles as being off centre etc can also add to sag/stretch problems.

Regards

John Critchley 6108