The awning: probably the most important accessories for the motorhome or Camper Van. We have summarised the most important information about awnings for you here.
Bodywork and dismantling of the awning
Ideally, there should be two of you when bodyworking the awning. To begin, crank the awning out so far that you can remove the support feet from the front profile. Then slide the support legs apart until they touch the floor and lock the support legs. You can then extend the awning further. Do not forget to move the support feet accordingly while extending the awning. Set a support leg lower to ensure water drainage. This prevents damage to the fabric caused by large amounts of water. Then attach the clamping arm.
The dismantling process is then reversed. Release the tensioning arm and start retracting the awning. Then attach the support feet to the front profile and retract the awning completely.
If you are using a product to tension the awning, attach it after the bodywork of the awning and remove it before retracting the awning.
You can find many videos on the correct assembly and disassembly of the awning from the manufacturer of your awning or on YouTube. You can also take a look at the operating instructions for the awning at any time.
Using the awning in rain and wind
Basically, the awning on your motorhome serves as sun protection. This means that the caravan can still be ventilated, even when it’s raining lightly. Nevertheless: Storms can cause damage to awnings and vehicles. To prevent this, we have summarised some tips for you here:
- you should retract the awning in strong/stormy winds, snowfall, heavy rain or hail
- Place one support leg lower than the other to allow water to run off the awning more easily and prevent damage to the awning fabric
- Lock the clamping arms and support feet properly
- The installation of a tensioning set for awnings provides additional protection against damage to the awning
Care and cleaning
You can find a checklist for cleaning your motorhome here. We already have some cleaning recommendations for the awning for you here:
- If possible, you should not roll up the awning fabric when it is wet. You have no possibility to dry the awning before departure? Please extend the awning again as soon as possible and allow the awning fabric to dry completely to prevent mould from forming
- Only clean the awning fabric with water or PVC cleaner
- Treat the hinge connections between the jointed arms and the front profile regularly with silicone spray
Tips
- Did you know that you can retrofit an awning? You can obtain information at any time from your dealer or from HYMER Original Accessories. Please pay attention to the payload here!
- Do not extend the awning directly under a tree to avoid resin stains on the awning fabric
- With retrofit kits for the awnings, you can transform your awning into an awning. You can find the corresponding sets from your dealer or from the awning manufacturers.
If in doubt, please consult the operating instructions for your awning.