Pulled the camper from the dealer straight to a local CG today. Here I am a total noob... Trying to get everything set up. And. Naturally up rolls a thunder storm. Winds gusting. We're trying to figure out how to keep the kids entertained for a few while DW and I get our berrings.Then a knock on our door. Lady camped next to us. Says hi and explains that her DH is away from camp with the storm commin and she doesn't know how to retract her awning. Wants to know if I can help.Long story short. I helped and with a little cell phone assistance from her DH we got the awning retracted. The storm fizzled. But I was still glad I was able to help. ;)Just a funny story from my first hour of camping ;-). I figured she saw US sorta fumbling along. Lol. I'll hope for a few good karma points. Kids are sleeping in their bunks. I'm bushed. Night all.

Great Job. Now you also have more awning experience. I wouldn't be able to do ours without DH either. Too big, too heavy -- I do know how to lower the front of it down though, which would help in a pinch.

rvers are the nicest people and you just proved it thanks

Excellent!We were on our property doing dry runs of setting up, including the awning. We couldn't firgure it out to save our lives. Some guy was driving down our street, and he saw us trying our darndestt o figure it out. He stopped and offered help us. He said he remembers his first time withthe awning, and had no help.So, these friendly RVers are EVERYWHERE! Not just campgrounds.

I learned how to do the awning in the walk-through, but everything was information overload... A nice person in a campground outside of Chicago saw me struggling with it and showed me how to do it properly.. I've helped a couple of campers since.

First hour camping. Did my first good deed. ;-)

Farm_Camp
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
Horsedoc wrote:
We managed a CG out west once in a area that is famous for quick and violent thunder storms. There were several tenting sites on the west side of the CG. As the storm was approaching and the wind began to blow, I saw a tent come blowing across the yard, sort of rolling. The owner was obviously gone. I grabbed it and took it back to where it came from and when I set it back, it started again. Grabbed it a second time and thought I might have to sit with it. It occurred to me that rocks don't get blown around so I put two head size stones inside the tent that anchored it firmly. Never heard from the tenter but I wonder what he thought when he opened the flap and saw the stones lying there.

LOL! I bet they were scratching their heads... Still a good deed is a good deed. Myself I'm just the type that is happy with that. I will say in my case (although I didn't expect or "need" him to do so) the DH did walk over later in the evening, introduced himself, said "thanks", and we had a nice chat. Those two were the very first "camping people" we've met and they were very nice. They stayed to themselves the rest of the weekend except to wave and we returned the favor. The kids had a awesome time, we got home in good order, it was a fantastic first trip out...

But that's another post - coming soon with pics. Needless to say. I'm a very happy camper right now. ;-)
Horsedoc
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2013
We managed a CG out west once in a area that is famous for quick and violent thunder storms. There were several tenting sites on the west side of the CG. As the storm was approaching and the wind began to blow, I saw a tent come blowing across the yard, sort of rolling. The owner was obviously gone. I grabbed it and took it back to where it came from and when I set it back, it started again. Grabbed it a second time and thought I might have to sit with it. It occurred to me that rocks don't get blown around so I put two head size stones inside the tent that anchored it firmly. Never heard from the tenter but I wonder what he thought when he opened the flap and saw the stones lying there.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
RedG wrote:
Hmmmm.
I push the button one way and the awning goes out.
I push it the other way and it comes back in.
Guess I'm glad I got the awning for dummies..... ;)

I HATE my awning for dummies! What is the purpose of an awning that can't be used if there is any chance of less than perfect weather?
Wishbone51
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
RedG wrote:
Hmmmm.
I push the button one way and the awning goes out.
I push it the other way and it comes back in.
Guess I'm glad I got the awning for dummies..... ;)

I'm sure someone had to show you how to push the button the first time out. :W
Farm_Camp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
RedG wrote:
Hmmmm.
I push the button one way and the awning goes out.
I push it the other way and it comes back in.
Guess I'm glad I got the awning for dummies..... ;)

That's mine too!
RedG
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
Hmmmm.
I push the button one way and the awning goes out.
I push it the other way and it comes back in.
Guess I'm glad I got the awning for dummies..... ;)
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2013
Your just paying it forward
eabc5454
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
When people ask why we camp instead of going to "a good hotel" we tell them stories like this. We got help on our first trip out and have helped others since. Thanks for helping that lady out.

Elizabeth
filthy_beast
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
We have had several occasions to help out new campers and for me, just the look of relief in their eyes that someone is willing to help and teach make the time worth it.
Wishbone51
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
I learned how to do the awning in the walk-through, but everything was information overload... A nice person in a campground outside of Chicago saw me struggling with it and showed me how to do it properly.. I've helped a couple of campers since.