Caravan Awning / Tent Pole Tensioner

This is a simple to use, effective, tensioner for tent poles or caravan awning poles. I designed this device about 5 years ago and printed in PLA+. I've been using 5 of them with my caravan awning since then, to test if they survive the rigours of the world. They do! There have been no failures despite cold & hot weather and strong winds. In fact the tensioner provides a back up clamp to help the poles survive strong winds without retracting.

As supplied, the Tensioner will fit onto a 19mm pole, which is the narrower pole that slides into a 22mm pole. Your poles must be fairly straight otherwise the tensioner will not slide smoothly.

I've incorporated printing supports into the section of the tensioner that forms the clamp. These are two very thin plates, with a couple of triangles to minimise filament usage, one on each side of the tensioner clamp that will need to be removed. They cut away easily and you won't need other supports.

You will need an M5 x 25mm bolt of the type shown in the photograph, with a square section to stop the bolt turning when the clamp is tightened and loosened (these are fitted to the original clamps). You'll also need a hex nut to fit this.

I've uploaded a pdf to show how to use the clamp - it's a doddle!