Awning for a van??

[Rsw]

Anyone have a design or idea on how to make a self supporting awning to put on a van. I want to use a tarp and can use eye bolts to hook it to the van. Just need a way to make the supports.

[DTR 11TG]

Look for used tents for sale, I guess it would need to be a medium to family size so you can get some nice alum poles. Check at yard sales, Craigslist, local classified and check at any military surplus stores. The surplus stores might even have the poles without having to buy an entire tent. Check with friends & neighbors, they might have an old tent that never gets used, offer to haul it away for FREE!

[Rsw]

Look for used tents for sale, I guess it would need to be a medium to family size so you can get some nice alum poles. Check at yard sales, Craigslist, local classified and check at any military surplus stores. The surplus stores might even have the poles without having to buy an entire tent. Check with friends & neighbors, they might have an old tent that never gets used, offer to haul it away for FREE!

I have tent poles but I want it to be like a camper awning and be self supporting.

[slick rick]

Rsw... our motor home has electric scissor style awning . They take up very little room and extend out , I'm sure you could get whatever size you need . May be something to look in to . JUST A THOUGHT,,

[slick rick]

Just thought of something else , look at a pop up camper if I recall they have a simple straight forward design , roll it up to the camper tuck it in a bag that's attached to the camper , zip it up , store your poles and your done , can't be that expensive .

[Rsw]

Just thought of something else , look at a pop up camper if I recall they have a simple straight forward design , roll it up to the camper tuck it in a bag that's attached to the camper , zip it up , store your poles and your done , can't be that expensive .

The problem is the poles with the bag style awnings. Hard to anchor to a concrete parking lot. Should have said this is going to be a low dollar setup in the begining. I think I can use 3/4 inch conduit and slide it inside 1 inch conduit and make a mount on the side of the van to hold it. That should work for the diagonal support. Just have to make a locking system to hold it tight.

[slick rick]

Sounds like you have it just about under control !!

[Rsw]

Sounds like you have it just about under control !!

Maybe not under control, but a accident waiting to happen. One wrong gust of wind could mess up the whole system. I was just hoping someone already did the R&D on a redneck setup and point out their mistakes. Having M/S, I kind of need a home away from home when we go somewhere and I can’t always pick where we stop or how far we can go. So the old van got turned into a camper and I have a trailer to put the trike on.

[slick rick]

The problem is the poles with the bag style awnings. Hard to anchor to a concrete parking lot. Should have said this is going to be a low dollar setup in the begining. I think I can use 3/4 inch conduit and slide it inside 1 inch conduit and make a mount on the side of the van to hold it. That should work for the diagonal support. Just have to make a locking system to hold it tight.

Once mounted to the van and you place your outside corner poles , pushing out at the top you just tie rope pulling in opposite direction it will stay in place . Now if you mounted pole holders at the bottom of your van angled out , tied the top outside corners off with ground stakes or just counter weight ,,,ACCORDING TO WHERE YOU'VE PARK DIRT OR CONCRETE ,,,,it will hold just fine .Now your concern about the wind is a good one ,, we pull ours in if the wind gets up and hardly ever leave it unattended . I've seen even the best systems get blown back and destroy awnings . Got caught last summer here in Al in the biggest hail storm I;ve ever seen , come up out of no where, ripped holes in 3 slide out covers and destroyed the the front awning among other parts and pieces ...... INS CO LOVED ME BIG O BILL WHEN FINISHED!!!!! Hope I helped you out with some of my ramblings ... GOOD LUCK RICK

[Rsw]

Well after a couple hours putting pieces and parts together from every department in the lowes store, the home built awning was getting close to the price of a new one. We bought a 9 foot Supreme bag awning from Shademaker. Very happy with the quality/construction of the awning and sets up in under a minute. The owner of the company was very helpfull and answered all the questions I had. So the queen size bed is in. Window A/C will freeze you out. 30 amp electric service installed and outlets wired. Now with the anwing on, the Vamper is ready to go. No just get the motor in the trike and I foresee a very good summer ahead!!

Welcome to Shademaker Products | ShadeMaker Products Corp.

[slick rick]

...That's similar to what I was talking about ,looks great and will keep the head from burning . I to think the VAMPER is ready for the road .GOOD LUCK

[OldBay]

Rsw, get yourself a cpl of #80 nails. YOu can drive them right in asphalt when in a parking lot to hold the legs down.

[Rsw]

Rsw, get yourself a cpl of #80 nails. YOu can drive them right in asphalt when in a parking lot to hold the legs down.

I just happen to have some of them. Does that not hurt the asphalt?

[DTR 11TG]

I just happen to have some of them. Does that not hurt the asphalt?

What you can do is carry a caulking gun & a few tubes of DAP Asphalt repair and fill in the holes before you leave.

[Rsw]

What you can do is carry a caulking gun & a few tubes of DAP Asphalt repair and fill in the holes before you leave.

[slick rick]

I think the little hat shaped boat anchors would be a lot less trouble..