I have the A&E Catalina 2500 too and I second all of Steven's comments.

A mechanic friend helped me learn how to open it and close it well, and even
though it's a little awkward at first, I am impressed with how well designed
it is: if you go SLOWLY, extending the the posts and rafters and setting
them up incrementally at increasing lengths as you gently pull out the
canvas, everything falls into place REALLY nicely. (If you're by yourself,
you can tighten the rafters easily at any extension length to help "hold"
the whole contraption in place while you adjust the posts further out from
the van to accomodate the next extension....if you know what I mean....maybe
you had to be there!)

I would also add that you have the option of setting the posts on the ground
vertically (perpendicular to the ground) OR attaching them to small black
plastic clips you mount on the side of the van. (So that, if you wanted, you
could drive away with the awning deployed  -- preferably with the pop top
open as well!)

It's also very important to keep the canvas pull cord centered in the middle
of the spool ( there's an  arrow to help you) -- otherwise, just like a
window shade, the canvas rolls up unevenly and won't fit into the housing as
well.

I would love to hear any other shortcuts/tips/comments on the Catalina 2500
or awnings generally as its all new to me as well.

Tony

>From: S Sittservl <Ssittservl@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Ssittservl@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Vanagon awning
>Date: Thu, 8 Jul 1999 17:16:45 EDT
>
> >  Date:        7/8/99 1:26:18 PM CDT
> >  From:        ken@STATSCI.COM (Ken Baldwin)
> >
> >  I'm in the market for an awning for my '84 Westy. I've heard of makes
>such
> >  as TransAwn, A&E, Fiamma, et al. I want something simple and reliable.
> >  Manual operation is fine. Any recommendations? Thanks,
> >
> >  Ken
>
>I have the A&E/Dometic "Catalina 2500", in the smallest size (8'2"),
>with the "van adaptor kit" to clamp it to the drip rail.  I've been very
>content with it so far.  It's easy to put up, and seems well made.
>It's a little more awkward to take down, at least for me - I have some
>trouble getting all the parts to latch together properly in the case,
>perhaps
>because I haven't had enough practice yet (we've used it about half
>a dozen times.)  Still, it's only about a 5 minute job for one or two
>people.
>With the van adaptor kit (apparently designed for the Westfalia - that's
>what's pictured in the instructions), you can also remove the whole
>awning case or put it back on in about 5 minutes, if you don't want to
>drive
>around with it on all the time.  Available from Camping World
>(www.campingworld.com).
>
>                                                  -Steven Sittser
>

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