Hello Jean & Irwin,
Not much more that I can add to Tom’s comments on the bed.
I believe that your van is already fitted with the increased pressure gas struts –see General Discussion ‘Bed Gas Supports’ page 5 June 2020.
Several comments there and a few of us fitted them. I still find they work much better than the old ones although the increased pressure does mean that the bed does not lie flat when unoccupied, but that helps with the raising of the bed – just push upwards behind the middle hinged part. With two of you perhaps one could push up the middle section and the other could push up the end and engage the locking mechanism.
Not used our conventional stand alone awning for many years – its about 18 years old and never had a problem fitting it.
Fred