Page: 10
Falcon Drive Away
(air) instructions
Maintenance
How to maintain your falcon air drive away awning.
Maintenance:
How to keep your awning in tip top condition.
• Ongoing maintenance - tube twist :
When you get your awning all the tubes should be correct positioned without any twisted tubes or bladders. They are
held in position with velcro, straps and a sleeve, but due to the nature of air tubes they do move. They can move when in use, when being inflated or deflated,
when they are being dragged though the awning channel during pitching, or even more during transit. This is unavaoidable and can happen at any time.
Whilst this should not affect the performance or running of the awning, it can sometimes cause your awning to look looser than it should. When this happens
it can affect the tautness of the roof. Whilst this may not affect the performance of the awning, you should always be aware of the tubes especially if they
are twisted. Tubes can be untwisted by yourself at any time and should be done whenever you notice that they are twisted.
• Ongoing maintenance - valve movement :
Due to the nature of valves and air pressure any of the valves can become loose over time and should be checked
each time you use your awning. If this is not done and a valve has worked loose your awning may defalte over time.
• Suitability
:
This is a lightweight touring awning and should never be used as a long term or seasonal pitch awning. To ensure no issues it should also be taken
down in adverse weather conditions, especially in strong winds or snow fall.
• Condensation
: Your awning will suffer from condensation. The amount of condensation will differ depending upon ground conditions, the weather and how
the awning is pegged. We recommend using the ventilation doors whenever possible as this will lessen the amount of condensation you get.
• Fading
: Your awning is coated against the suns harmful rays, but this will degrade over time and only delays the effect. Fading will affect the colour of your
awning, but not its performance and is not covered under your warranty as it is a natural process with any synthetic material used outdoors.
• Weathering and Seams :
The main seams on this awning have been taped to help prevent water ingress. Some seams (such as the seams on the webbing
material by the awning channel) cannot be as effectively taped and may need weathering. Weathering is the process where the awning gets wet and the
cotton thread used in the manufacturing expands to fill the gap caused when the product is sewn. When the cotton dries it shrinks back, but never fully. This
process then ensures that the cotton thread fills the gap and seals against water ingress. Sometimes this process is not completed the first time and needs to
be done a few times, depending upon your expectations you may find it necessary or quicker to treat the seams with seam sealant. Also over time the seams
may become damaged or have peeled away during normal wear and tear then these should also be treated with seam sealant to give extra protection and
help water ingress.
