Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 13:43:31 -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..
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Mine is actually attached to the rain gutter with self drilling screws. I
removed the plastic trim where the rail was to be mounted, C clamped it for
a temporary fit and screwed it on. I was going to use rivets, but this was
easier and removable. One thing to note is 2 pieces of the rail were needed
so I did end up sanding and smoothing the joint for an easier fit. The first
few times that the awning was installed were a headache, but after the break
in period it became easy.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Felder" <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 11:17 AM
Subject: Re: Awnings..
> This is exactly the kind of awning that my parents' camper came with
> in 1973. The camper and the awning are both still in use, and it has
> stood up to some horrendous winds where it is kept on the gulf coast.
> I planned to mount some of that gutter track on my westy, but never
> quite got around to it. The C-channel extruded aluminum that the
> hemmed edge slides into is cheap and readily available at local camper
> stores, but I never figured out exactly how I wanted to mound the
> channel to the westy. Any details on how that was done?
>
> I have since figured out that it might be good to pop-rivet the
> channel to the fiberglass pop-up, since I have been using a
> backpacking tarp tied to the raised roof with a couple of poles and
> great results.
>
> Jim
>
> On Mon, Sep 1, 2008 at 9:36 AM, Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> Cleverness abounds. Another good idea to file away for future reference.
>>
>> Stephen
>>
>> --- On Mon, 9/1/08, Cullen Stewart <cullberly@VERMONTEL.NET> wrote:
>> From: Cullen Stewart <cullberly@VERMONTEL.NET>
>> Subject: Re: Awnings..
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Date: Monday, September 1, 2008, 10:19 AM
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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