Date:         Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:30:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Which awning is best
Comments: To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1282088407.6049.125.camel@TheJackUbuntuNetbook>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

One of the best things about the A&E TransAwn 2000 is the built-in rain
gutter.  This allows those of us in rain forest climates to raise the outer
posts high enough to clear the double bass player without causing water
problems.  The runoff comes out a small hole towards the rear of the van in
an unobtrusive fashion.

I can deploy the TA singlehandedly and its really easy to put away in its
case.

Still looking for another.





On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 4:40 PM, Rocket J Squirrel <
camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Tue, 2010-08-17 at 17:10 -0600, Tom Buese wrote:
> > On Aug 17, 2010, at 4:52 PM, Jeffrey Vickers wrote:
> >
> > [...] if you can get all the Shady
> > > Boy poles and fabric back into the case, you are ready to navigate the
> > > coming miles ahead.
> >
> > Good observation!  I have long ago given up on wrapping all the poles
> > including the optional corner poles up into the case, choosing like
> > Mr. Squirrel to store most under the rear bench.
> >
> > YMMV,
> >
> > Mr. BZ-much easier w/o optional poles, but poles aren't optional in my
> > mind
>
> No, not at all. Not if you're the sort who enjoys camping in weather.
> Without the poles, a downdraft can mash the awning down to the ground.
>
> I spent quite some time camping beside a meadow near Mt. Laguna in SoCal
> with the sliding door side of the van facing upwind. I could see wind
> gusts coming my way as they flattened the grasses in the meadow. When
> the wind hit, the Shady Boy barely flapped. These are the kind of winds
> that would crumple an unanchored wimpier awning, like a Fiamma or
> similar. With the updraft tiedown strings and the downdraft corner poles
> installed, the Shady Boy is quite stable.
>
> Sheds water well, too. Here's a shot of the Shady Boy set up for rain.
>
>
> http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XFS952PUlmQ/TBA9fg3lMEI/AAAAAAAACWU/GB7z7_4QwFs/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG
>
> The corner poles have been splayed to keep the rainwater from pooling.
>
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
>



--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27