Can One Person Set Up This Awning Without Breaking It?

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

Hey, it's Kebert Xela from the Napa Awning Support Group... I'm glad to see you enjoyed my tip on how to set up your awning. I had to figure something out for my awning since it is a full 8X10ft, it was a struggle the first time I tried to set it up. If you have a large overhang on one end (distance from end of awning to mounting point) the whole awning will flex with the horizontal supports out if the awning is allowed to rest on the support during setup. To reduce this strain I intentionally pull them past the fabric by a few inches until I can get the leg deployed to prevent the awning from resting against the support. The smaller the awning and the less overhang on the awning body, the less this matters but I mention it because theres likely someone else like me with a good couple feet of overhang on a larger awning. Alternatively the awning can be reinforced with angled aluminum extrusion riveted to the back but that's a lot more effort than just being cautious when setting up the awning.

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

Thanks so much for the original and these additional tips!

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

@@DirtRoadTherapy Thanks for making the video. I debated doing it but its 103 outside and I prefer 60-ish degree weather. Didn't feel like making my 1st piece of overlanding content while sweating bullets.

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

Yeah you’d be hard pressed to find me out in 103° doing this. You can see my shirt adds some sweat to it throughout this and it was only about 80

[@stevencoward8929]

Well done! Now I know.

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

It’s still a balancing act but at least it’s fairly graceful!

[@helenlss9395]

Congrats on the new gear! It'll be quite useful for your outdoor adventures.

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

I think so too!

[@shoeboxgarage4049]

If only this was out a week ago…. Lol! Great video, makes sense!

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

I know right? 😅

[@kevinzimmerman2304]

Very nice. I have a smittybilt awning. I felt like I was gona break it the first time I tried setting it up by myself. I'll give this a try.

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

Let me know how it works!

[@kevinzimmerman2304]

I used your method and it worked out nicely.👍

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

@kevinzimmerman2304 awesome thanks for letting me know!

[@grnpnzer]

I was wondering how you attached the awning to the vehicle. I thought you have Thule crossbars on some clips. How does the awning attach to the thule bars?

[@DirtRoadTherapy]

I drilled holes in the bars. The L brackets the awning came with are just bolted to it.

[@JoelSilva-u3u]

To make it easier leave the end legs as long as you can in the track..