Just wanted to share my first thoughts on this awning. I got it for Christmas and couldn't wait so I headed out to inbox everything and check it out. The awning is well built and comes out of the shipping tube just begging to go on the vehicle. Likewise the brackets came out of the package ready to use and at the risk of sounding nerdy they are a thing of beauty. The quality and finish are awesome!!
Well, couldn't wait another second so I went to measuring and installing the brackets to the awning and it went together easily. At this point common sense would say get a friend and put it on. But, I was alone and had no help in sight. I figured I could at least hold it up and see how it looks. Then I figured heck, it's already up here so go ahead and finish the job.
This thing goes on EASY. Took me an hour by myself and that included time to measure and admire this thing of beauty and probably day dreamed about what I could use it for.
If I would have had someone to help me out it could have very easily been on on under 30 minutes. Anyone with the least amount of mechanical ability can do this. I'm proof! Also if I would have taken 5 minutes to get a ladder it would have been easier but I couldn't wait...
As for setting it up it took a little while by myself. A second person would have been a big help here. I did get it up in under 5 minutes most of which was figuring out what was what. I suspect practice will be the key here. I did have to recruit my 11 year old daughter during take down so I could get the side tubes back in place before I rolled it up.
My absolute biggest problem was zipping it back up! I'm on the short side and could not get the back zipper to start with one hand. So I just pulled the front zipper all the way to the back and all was good again.
I am so glad I bought the Fourtreks brackets, they are pricey but both the quality and the functionality make them a bargain in my opinion. They look darn good to imho.
Well, couldn't wait another second so I went to measuring and installing the brackets to the awning and it went together easily. At this point common sense would say get a friend and put it on. But, I was alone and had no help in sight. I figured I could at least hold it up and see how it looks. Then I figured heck, it's already up here so go ahead and finish the job.
This thing goes on EASY. Took me an hour by myself and that included time to measure and admire this thing of beauty and probably day dreamed about what I could use it for.
If I would have had someone to help me out it could have very easily been on on under 30 minutes. Anyone with the least amount of mechanical ability can do this. I'm proof! Also if I would have taken 5 minutes to get a ladder it would have been easier but I couldn't wait...
As for setting it up it took a little while by myself. A second person would have been a big help here. I did get it up in under 5 minutes most of which was figuring out what was what. I suspect practice will be the key here. I did have to recruit my 11 year old daughter during take down so I could get the side tubes back in place before I rolled it up.
My absolute biggest problem was zipping it back up! I'm on the short side and could not get the back zipper to start with one hand. So I just pulled the front zipper all the way to the back and all was good again.
I am so glad I bought the Fourtreks brackets, they are pricey but both the quality and the functionality make them a bargain in my opinion. They look darn good to imho.
