Date: Thu, 28 May 2015 13:52:15 -0700
Reply-To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: One more shady boy comment
In-Reply-To: <CAG+p27tQm+iH44poO9x6NGFh8EH+VaZPtv2G9e-gbh1T8Sfj+A@mail.gmail.com>
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And what Bill says below exactly affirms my preference for the Shady Boy.
The Fiamma goes up quickly and easily. The Shady Boy requires a bit of
setup. But it can be done by one, and for this camper, setting up camp
is one of the pleasures of camping.
The Fiamma can be quickly destroyed by unexpected gusts or heavy
precipitation. Probably smart to crank it back overnight if any weather
weirdness is expected. For the Shady Boy, one has to learn the tricks to
rig it for the conditions (as Tom Buese also commented on earlier in
this thread), but once up, it's nearly bullet-proof.
As I've said earlier, I've sat under my Shady Boy -- and a few times had
to escape into the van -- during stunningly-heavy hailstorms,
thundershower, and great gusts of wind that have knocked camp furniture
over . . . and it's weathered it all.
But you have to know how to rig it.
My feeling is that the Fiamma is good for your weekend camper who
desires less fussing with poles and ropes and stakes. But for a fellow
like me, who camps in secluded, solitary places for two weeks at a time,
something robust is what I like and the Shady Boy does the job.
Next time someone says that they've seen Shady Boys being blown about by
the wind, just know that what they witnessed is not a properly set-up
Shady Boy, and ignore them.
--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.
On 05/28/2015 09:24 AM, William Monk wrote:
> I have had my fiamma awning for over ten years. Twice the rear arm was
> destroyed. Once when new and a sudden micro burst broke it. The second time
> in North Dakota after a 3am hail storm. I couldn't get out fast enough.
> Both time I didn't have a front corner dipped low enough. Simple lever to
> adjust. My fault. Parts came quick and priced very reasonable within days
> to repair it.
> I love the 2 minute set up. It doesn't have any crank or "clock" spring set
> up. Very basic F85 model.
> But, Alistair drilling holes in your van..I don't know about you sometimes?
>
> Bill M
> 87 Westy
> Zetec Turbo
> On May 28, 2015 11:22 AM, "Alistair Bell" <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> The recent talk about the pros and cons of the shady boy reminded me of a
>> long outstanding fix I wanted to make to mine.
>>
>> The stock attachment method for the stainless steel minting brackets to
>> the van is using stainless sheet metal screws. Leaving aside the
>> contentious :-) aspect of drilling holes into your van, I never loved the
>> sheet metal screws and I have noticed them loosening.
>>
>> So the other day I drilled out the holes in the van to accept 1/4-20
>> riv-nut inserts. My particular inserts fit tightly in holes drilled with
>> letter drill S.
>>
>> I also cut some neoprene foam gaskets to go between the bracket and the
>> van and long enough to wrap around the end of the bracket where it bears
>> against the rain gutter.
>>
>> Now with the insets and 1/4-20 stainless bolts the brackets are securely
>> mounted to the van.
>>
>> One more thing, with the sheet metal screws I had slathered on rtv
>> silicone sealant between the bracket and the van. I left that off with the
>> foam gasket change.
>>
>> Alistair
>>