Date:         Mon, 1 Sep 2008 10:19:44 -0400
Reply-To:     Cullen Stewart <cullberly@VERMONTEL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Cullen Stewart <cullberly@VERMONTEL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Awnings..
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

I have a simple and very durable awning that I had a canvas shop make for
me. It is heavy duty canvas that mounts to a "hidden rope" channel that is
screwed to the gutter. The canvas has nylon rope sewn into the edge which
acts as a key. I simply slide the rope into the channel from the back and
set 1 or 2 poles depending on the situation. It is quite large and does not
leave a gap between the gutter and the awning edge so I can leave the door
open and not get wet. With poles and guy line I spent about $200 (3.years
ago). I now have an awning that can sustain the worst weather and last for
decades with minimal care. The shop that made this is in Belfast, ME and is
called Art's canvas.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: Awnings..


Good point.  I recall that the few times I left mine up it collected rain
also, getting a bit full along the middle of the four edges.  I bet you
could get some kinda battens and with a bit of imagination figure a way to
stick one up from each side to the peak of the canopy so that the rainwater
would not collect.  Four pieces of plastic or wood or aluminum stock would
likely slip into the 'sock' type carrier bag these EZ-ups come in.  I guess
you get what you pay for..so they ain't perfect for everything, but for
~$100 on sale, (for the simple canopy without any extras) they work ok.
  Don Hanson
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Stephen Grisanti
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM ; Don Hanson
  Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:22 PM
  Subject: Re: Awnings..


        The EZ-Up type you mention is what we bought on closeout last year
and tried on our first trip this year.  Fairly easy to set up and move
around and very handy with its screen walls, but we left it up and were
surprised by an overnight rain that collapsed it and broke the aluminum
framework irreparably.  The original Hummer awning setup we got on closeout
from Sierra Trading Post still works okayishly but also collects rainwater,
so the domed type is definitely the way to go and that may be what we try
next .

        Stephen

        --- On Fri, 8/29/08, Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET> wrote:

          From: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
          Subject: Awnings..
          To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
          Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 11:30 AM


I've had a bunch of different ones on various vehicles.  None of them
are"bomb-proof".  You won't ever find an awning that can
withstandeveryweather situation you may encounter.  We've spent about 15
extended winterscamping, in Baja, the desert southwest and the mountains and
it seems everytime you decide.."It won't be windy today.  I'll just leave
theawning upwhile we go _______," a huge windstorm occurs and destroys your
awning(only the awning if you are lucky, if you are unlucky, it sometimes
wrecksyour vehicle or the one camped next to you)  So my first requirement
for any awning is that it is quick and easy todeploy or retract.  I will no
longer leave one up if I am gone, or when webed down at night.  Lately, I've
been using those free-standing canopies that are called"EZ-Ups".  The kind
with four legs and some accordion-style polesthatdeploy into a square with a
pointed
 top.  You can find these on sale foraround $100, they come with a bag for
storage and if you find the right one,they aren't too awkward to carry along
on trips. At night, you push thefour"legs" towards the middle and the whole
deal folds up in about 20seconds.You should always take that 20 seconds to
do so. I use some trucker bungees to attach the vehicle side legs to the
van'swheels and weight down the other two legs with something else.  Most
ofthese EZ-ups  have a "Half-mast" position, where you can lower
thelegshalfway, placing the canopy at about 4' off the ground, yet still
deployed.I've used this feature to cover my race car's cockpit.  With
anotherperson,you can also 'walk the canopy's where you need it.  I use
that'half mast'feature in forest service campsites to pile our chairs and
coolers on orunder the picnic table then walk the canopy over and use tie
downs to secureit
 to the table.  Holds your campsite and keeps your gear dry if you take
aside trip.  If you do have a vehicle mounted awning, it's a good idea to
use a'back-up' method to keep it closed when traveling.  Living near
I-84whichtraverses the Columbia River Gorge east/west, almost every day
during thewindy season I see a few vehicles with their awnings blown
partially open orpieces of awning alongside the freeway.  Trusting some
flimsy aluminum orplastic hook/latch to withstand what might be above
hurricane force winds is'pushing it'...75mph vehicle speed + a 60+ headwind=
130mph apparentwind...not at all uncommon on interstate 84 here.  We still
have one awningon a pickup truck that I use a bicycle pedal foot strap to
secure inaddition to the factory supplied latches.  Don Hanson