When I first got my Dandy home I have to confess to being a little scared of the awning having read so many “horror” stories about errection of the said beast! Since overcoming my fears I have no doubt that the standard pvc awning more than compensates for its slightly quirky set up and weight, by adding a whole new dimension to the Dandy experience. Indeed, now I am never tempted NOT to put it up. This is even with a bag of unmarked poles to contend with – there are just a couple of  things to remember to avoid teaching your little ones undesirable vocabulary! Have a look at the diagram below:

Dandy Awning Frame Assembly

• The red pole is SHORTER then the green pole!
• The blue poles should not be extended fully until the awning cover is in postion!
• The light blue pole is not required until the awning cover is in position!

Now if you remember the three things above – all should be well. And its is just a case of following the diagram above. The full instructions are:

1. Assemble the frame as above, leaving the front (blue) poles short enough to throw the cover over
2. Make sure the three short poles sticking out of the front of the frame are in the pockets on the pvc awning cover
3. You know the awning cover is in position when you can attach to the press-studs on the three front-to-back poles near the hooks
4. Fit the centre pvc panel with press-studs and zips, THEN adjust the height of the corner (blue) legs, THEN add the centre (light-blue) leg
5. Attach the bungee cords to the buttons on the trailer endwalls (under the roof)
6. There should be two short poles left – slide these into the pockets on the flaps that come across the rear of the trailer (blocking the space under the bed) and bungee these in position – one end of the cord down the side towards the wheel-arch, the other across the back of the trailer.
7. All thats left now is to push the awning flap under the main roof and tie-off to the poles inside your trailer, then tension your main roof rope to seal.
8. A few guy rope and peg adjustments should have it all looking dandy!

I was lucky enough to also have a strip of pvc that attaches with velcro under the door of the trailer making it all very cosy once the groundsheet is down. It is SO much nicer stepping out of the trailer into the awning than into the open – especially first thing in the morning or on those occasional UK days when the weather is not tropical!