Latest on Air Awnings

MDD

Due to the weight issue, I carried out a small mod to the awning which assisted in pulling the awning through the rail.

As the caravan has a more gradual slope from the front of the rail rather than the tight bend at the roof at the rear end of the van, we always loaded from the front.

To assist with this, I fitted a brass eye in the flap that protrudes from the roof line of the awning. When loading into the rail, we attach a fairly long guy rope with a quick release hook attached. ( I have fitted these to all my guy ropes as it is easier to clip on) this enables the OH to ease the awning through the rail as I push it into the rail.

If you need a translation of this garbles account, please ask.

Kampa sell, or maybe that is "did sell" a pulley based contraption to haul the awning around the rail.

This is not a recomendation, just an observation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LMycpwWzNs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk1CBl7mQt8

Ok thanks for the additional comments and advice.

i put it up today..and yes felt the weight but once it slid on the Caravan it was far easier to put up.

One problem I have experienced using the pump is that when connected to the inflation point, the pump did not show any pressure.  I disconnected it and tried connecting it to the deflation point and it immediately showed a pressure measurement.  However, it showed 6psi when the minimum suggested is 9psi but the poles were rock solid, in fact I was wary of trying to inflate them any more for fear of bursting them.

Has anyone experienced this at all and any advice?

Aside from this, a lovely awning 

MDD - it sounds as if Kampa have changed the design slightly.  On all of ours, there has been just one inflation point - and to deflate, there are turn buttons / valves on the outside of each of the vertical poles - across the front of the awning. Open these and the awning deflates.

I use an electric pump (well worth the investment!) with a pressure switch.  From memory, I think the recommended max pressure is 11psi.  I always set ours to 9.  It's also worthwhile - in present weather conditions, particularly - to check how the poles 'feel' and let a bit of air out if you think the pressure is getting too high.  

One way or another, I wouldn't get too hung up about what the pressure reading is - providing you don't go over the maximum.  If the poles are firm enough, leave them as they are.  If they are too soft - when it gets windy, you will soon notice! I did read somewhere - don't know how true it is, that the Kampa poles can actually take up to 24 psi before they go bang.  (Not recommending you try it though!)

With regard to the last point on your OP - you have probably realised  by now, that since there are no air poles alongside the van - pegging it out slightly under the van isn't going to damage a pole.  There are just foam pads there, which aren't going to be damaged.  I always manage to get a good seal against the side of the van and although I bought a set of poles to give that extra seal, I have never yet, found the need to use them.

Richardandros

im not sure they have changed the design.  It just seems that the valve in mine is ongoing one way so isn’t measuring the pressure.  It is doing when I switch it to the deflation valve.

I have  emailed Kampa to seek advice 

Many thanks for your help

concur with all you have said, but add that Kampa have a limpet system that helps keep the side of the awning against the van, so i have poles and limpet system which works very well, not cheap but have found to be a good investment.

would not like to put in 24 psi and you certainly would not achieve that with a hand pump i wouldnt have thought