Just bought a Kampa 365 which we like, except for the rather strange bags for the curtains.
But we found it quite difficult to thread it through into the channel. We are getting on a bit and not as tall and strong as we were……
I did wonder whether it’s possible to lubricate the channel? WD40 in the channel? Candle wax on the awning?

Any thoughts?

Thanks Colin, I’ll try the spray. One of the extras we bought was a set of Milenco giant steps.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B8TTXPA?r..._fed_asin_title
I didn’t like spending money on something that was already provided in the van but they are a wonderful addition and we wouldn’t have got the awning up without them.

Please not WD40, the devil's own fluid!
Silicon spray much more useful all round the caravan, awning rail, door locks, window catches etc.
We use a folding step for help threading the awning
https://www.google.com/search?client=fir...oshop=apv&pvs=0

Words of wisdom from Colin. We have a 365 for our Troll and have it off to a fine(ish) art.........

Just before we start I spray fresh silicon down the gutter. Colin is right about the weight and height......I use a stool and Kath lifts the awning behind my shoulder so that I can feed it more or less level into the guttering. You need to keep it level with the gutter as you feed it in. When I have done about 18 inches Kath lets go and stands on the double step (like yours) at the far end and starts to feed it through with me, being careful not to pull too hard. I now wear some thin gardening gloves in case she pulls too hard which has caused me to trap the end of my finger painfully against the rail in the past.

The key for us is to take it slow and easy.

When it is all in we adjust it to exactly where we want it on the front and then fasten it with an Isabella clip at each end of he rail to hold it in place..

The next bit we have done various different ways over the years but now we just put a stone peg into each rear corner and then inflate the poles. We let the awning sit naturally on the front air poles and then if everything looks OK we peg through the bottom fixings on each pole and do the rest.

It does take a time but it is worth it. The weight is an issue but at our combined age of over 140 years we hope to go on for many years yet.

Good luck with it

MikeT

I have set up our Kampa 340 a couple of times on my own, although it's easier with two people. The electric Dometic pump is an absolute godsend - set the pressure required and let it get on it with while you move the air beams around... I have used an awning rail cleaning set with silicon lubricant at the start of each camping season - it makes the job easier. I also have a number of the Kampa packing pads that enable height adjustments when necessary - and to hold the air beams away from the caravan sides if needed. They are made from very light and firm closed-cell foam.

I am hoping the 340 will work OK on our "new" Troll 540 - same door layout as our old 430, but it will end up across the rear window I know. The extra height on our 2016 Troll will make it harder to fit, I expect (I used to fit it our 2005 Triton without a step), but we were given a nice light-but-sturdy step as a freebie by Highbridge, so it might as well get used for something!

I have looked at the Kampa pulley system that you fit to the far end of the awning rail to help you pull it along. Has anyone tried one out?

Simon

The weight and bulkiness is quite marked for these two old pensioners. Having just struggled drying it out (it had to be packed wet) and trying to get it into its bag it does occur to me that the whole front zips out and, i think, the side. I think we might experiment with splitting it into three pieces.
The only mystery left is the "bit of skirt" (sorry) which comes with it. How on earth is that meant to fit anywhere? I assume it's meant to cover the wheels etc?

Yes it is. It slots into the awning rail section at the bottom of the side of the Eriba - underneath on pre 2010s and facing out at the bottom of the later ones. It goes across the wheel - you then have to find something to cover the top half of the wheel.

The attached photos show the Kampa draught strip fitted to a modernTroll (not mine!) and the other shows another make's draught strip fitted to a 2005 Triton