How to peg down an awning
Pegging out your awning isn’t complicated, but you can take several crucial steps to ensure your awning is tensioned correctly and resistant to high winds or storms.
Adding extra accommodation, a chill space or dining area, or shelter from the elements means you’ll likely make full use of your caravan awning during a holiday.
This guide explains how to choose the right size awning and peg it out. We also provide a link to a separate article explaining the different types of pegs and their uses.
But before we start, here’s a quick note on pole awnings and air awnings:
Poles versus air tubes
Awnings that use inflatable air tubes rather than poles that slide into sleeves are becoming increasingly popular.
Air awning manufacturers claim that the system is lighter and faster to put up. Air awnings are also more lightweight than the combined weight of a traditional awning and poles. However, many observers claim air awnings are only sometimes faster to erect.
One consideration is getting started — as the trickiest part of putting an awning up is lifting and sliding the awning onto the caravan’s mounting rail. The total weight of an air awning is more than that of a traditional awning without the poles. So you might be lifting 10-15KG more with an air awning.
Seasoned caravaners and YouTubers ‘The Trudgians’ decided to compare poled awnings side-by-side. As you can see in their video, putting up a poled awning was faster than an equivalent air version.
The outcome is also confirmed by Horton Common caravan site owner Chris Scott, who claims, “The result matches my observations of watching our guests put up many different types of air and pole awnings over recent years.”
However, a caveat suggests that poled awnings are faster to erect once you’ve practised and know which poles go where and in what order. Air awnings may be quicker the first time out.
There are other considerations, such as air awnings tending to suffer more from condensation. Although, they often fare better in strong winds due to their flexibility. If you are looking to buy your first awning, we recommend researching the pros and cons of each type before making a purchase.
Now, onto the steps:
Step 1
Choosing the right-sized awning
You can’t tension an awning properly if it’s too big. And without the proper tension, your awning will likely sag, buffet in light winds, and collapse in high winds. Alternatively, an undersized awning is difficult to peg down.
Most awning manufacturers publish guides on their websites covering popular caravan models. Here’s an example from Isabella awnings.
Step 2
Centralise the awning
Before you start, clear the area of leaves and twigs.
Next, feed your awning onto the caravan’s awning rail and ensure it’s central. It’s worth time to get this right, as adjusting once you add the awning poles or inflate your air tubes is tricky.
Top Tip! A liberal spray of awning rail and zip lubricant can make it easier to slide an awning along the rail.
Step 3
Set up the awning poles
Start by sliding the front centre vertical leg pole and centre roof pole into place to give you space to work under the canvas.
Then, work your way out from the centre, sliding the remaining poles into place, including the canopy poles, if required.
Step 4
Tension the poles
Roof poles are telescopic — and tensioning gives your awning extra stability. You can tension the poles by releasing the central pole clamps, pulling to lengthen, and then closing the clamp. You can also use a tensioning hand tool.
Top Tip! You’ll find tensioning the poles easier if you unzip the nearest side panel first as you go.
Step 5
Add extra poles and storm straps if required
If your awning is up on a seasonal pitch, consider adding extra support poles to the roof. We also recommend fitting storm straps for awnings on seasonal and touring pitches.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to correctly attach and place storm straps, including pegging out to the proper distance. Use two pegs for each storm strap at opposing angles for extra security.
Top Tip! Once fixed to the awning, twist your storm straps once or twice before pegging down. This helps prevent the straps from vibrating and flapping against the awning in the wind.
Step 6
Use the right awning pegs
Most awnings come with plastic stakes and metal skewer pegs. Unfortunately, these pegs might not be the best for all conditions, such as soft grass, hard ground, hard standing, mud, shingle or rock.
The good news is that we’ve written an article called Choosing the right awning pegs to highlight eight types of pegs that you should keep in your collection.
Step 7
Peg out your awning
Before hammering in the first peg, zip up all the panels and close the awning doors.
Regardless of whether you have an air or pole awning, peg the back two corners down slightly under the caravan first. This ensures your awning sits tight to the caravan’s side.
From the outside, move to the front corners. Pull the two front legs forward to the side, creating tension and ensuring the poles are straight before pegging down.
Then, you can move around the awning, pegging the side straps as you go.
Peg every point, and cross peg points where a panel meets the main awning.
Step 8
Check the panels and roof for tension
Check the panels and roof are nice and taut. If not, re-peg where needed or re-tension the poles. Always check the rear pegging points first where the awning meets the caravan.
Step 9
Peg the inside
Tuck the skirt inside the awning to prevent the wind from blowing across the floors and water getting in. Peg the inside or use the manufacturer clip fittings or fasteners if provided.
Now, you can lay the carpet or floor cover and set up the furniture.
Step 10
Re-tension the poles
Finally, if the weather changes, the air temperature may rise significantly after you put the awning up. In that case, you may need to re-tension the poles or increase the pressure in an air awning to prevent the roof from sagging.
Any queries?
This article covers most awning types. The pegging process is similar for pole awnings and air awnings. Some awning manufacturers, like Eurovent, use a different pegging system, especially for the weather-resistant skirt. So, study the manufacturer’s instructions before you set off. If you have any issues on-site, use our Live Chat for help.