Pole & rope awnings are the original vintage trailer awning. They were the most common awning used on vintage trailers into the 1970s. They offer many advantages over modern roller style awnings, including the fact that they do not leave any scars on the trailer from permanently mounted hardware. They also preserve the sleek vintage look of a trailer because they are entirely removed from the trailer when not in use. Here's how you set up your awning when you arrive at camp.
- Unpack awning and verify that the following items are included:
- one pole per grommet along front edge of canopy
- one steel stake per pole
- one length of rope per pole
- one green line tensioner per pole
- Identify plastic awning bead running the width of the awning. Trim ends of plastic bead near flush with edges of awning fabric, if desired.
- Inspect trailer’s awning rail and repair or replace if damaged. Make sure sharp edges are smoothed to reduce friction and wear on plastic awning bead.
- Adjust poles to approximately one foot shorter than full height.
- Prepare ropes by tying a small bight (fixed loop) in the end of each rope. Later, this bight will go over the tip of each installed pole.
- Continue to prepare ropes by threading the opposite end of each rope through its plastic line tightener. Each rope threads through one hole in its plastic tightener and then threads back through the other hole. Finally, tie a knot in the end of the rope so that it cannot slip back through the holes in the plastic tightener.
- Slide plastic awning bead through trailer’s awning rail from either end. One “assist grommet” is located in awning near each end of plastic awning bead. Assist grommets may be used to help pull the awning along in the rail by temporarily inserting a rope or pole in one of the grommets. Assist grommets are not used after awning is fully installed.
- When fully inserted and centered, extend awning fully and insert one pole tip in one grommet along the outside edge of the awning.
- Place bight of rope over tip of pole on top of awning fabric.
- Create several feet of slack in the rope in the area of the rope between the two holes in the line tightener. This is the section of rope the stake will hook.
- When stake is hammered in to the ground, the plastic tightener will be located at least one foot higher than the stake.
- Tighten rope raising pole to full height and then by sliding the line tightener up away from the stake.
- Repeat steps 7 through 11 for each pole.
If you have any questions on setting up your awning, our staff is available to help you. We know you'll love your new awning and it will add to the beauty and usability of your vintage trailer.