awning advice please

[delilah]

I had the first practice with the awning on the weekend, and despite the instructions on the Move-light-midi being rubbish, we eventually got it up. But the figure of eight attachment thing, has caused some confusion. Why 2 short lengths? Does one go on the bongo and the other on the cowel with the double piped flangeflap inbetween??? I have noted that one of yoos uses a longer length of 8, that makes more sense! where to buy just the figo8 without the flap, and how do you get it off the rail, I broke a nail and had to have a drink! Ive left it on there for now. Does anyone else have a Move-light-midi? are you able to get the cowel taught and tied down? was wondering where the black straps go ? round the wheels?. and what to do with the long yellow straps when the roof is up.
any advice much appreciated.

[idetika]

We have cut our figure of eight into shorter pieces as it is easier to store in the Bongo, or the awning bag. Ours clips off the rail fairly easily, maybe it has just become easier over time.
Sorry, can't help with that particular awning but I know from experience that it gets easier to put one up with practice

[Rebiam]

Hi - I have just ordered on from Amazon and will put it up this weekend. I am expecting the tunnel between the awning and the van to come with a bead in, and to slot directly into figure of 8 strips like these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Figure-of-8-A ... 2571a652ce

To get them on and off the drop into the gutter - the easiest way to remove them is to swivel them towards the roof then lift vertically - takes a bit of jiggling sometimes but practice will help.

From your description I think you have an additional piece (possibly sent as an adapter for attaching the awning to an pull out awning like a fiamma or omnistor). I think the long yellow straps are for vehicles without the AFT that go over the top and peg down on the other side of the van and so are not required, and if the black straps you describe are on the bottom of each end of the awning tunnel then I reckon they peg to the floor once you have stretched the elastic against the side of the van. To get the tunnel tight attach the awning to the van then move it away from the van until you get the required tension in the tunnel before pegging down the awning itself into the final position. If yo drive away and leave the awning up, put a couple of pegs by the drivers side wheels so you have a rough guider as to where the van was for when you get back. I will see if I can get some pics to post if you are still having trouble.

[delilah]

fanx so much for responses. Adapter! that makes sense. Bongo-beings are wise and wonderful people.
Bring on more awning weather please! so I can practice putting it up. The Move-light demo video says it takes 5-10mins to put up, so Im making it my personal challenge for 2013 to do it in half an hour.

[levon]

Have a different awning, but it does attach with the figure of 8. I find them a right pain to get on and off (on more then off) especially when we are camping somewhere hot with the sun beating down and I am stuck under the awning trying with all my force to get the fig 8 on the gutter of the bongo! I have to get angry and use lots of force. As for getting it off, you can prize off one end (perhaps with a screwdriver) and then it will pull off quite easily. I also have 3 shorter lengths of it so it is easier to store.

Good luck, Levon.

[mikeonb4c]

I have full length figure 8 strips on both sides of the Bongo.....permanently. They seem to add to the look of the beast plus it solves the above mentioned problems. Haven't actually camped in 2 years mind you

[briwy]

The trick is to put the figure of eight on before you finally peg out the awning.
Put it on and then pull the awning away from the van until it is tight (ish) and then finally peg out.

[delilah]

I only managed to get the awning back in the bag it came in, on my own ... ok............
so the groundsheets not in there, but still pretty pleased with myself. Still not sure about the figure of 8 malarky.. so grateful for any pictures. cheers