DIY awning with no roof rack?

tx2sturgis said:

Listen, if a guy (or gal) likes using a plastic tarp as awning material, then I'm fine with that and no disrespect intended..

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I hope you don't think I felt disrespect.  If so, I wish to be clear that the opposite is true.  I , like you, have found that the plastic tarps are really junk.   But that even so-called heavy-duty ones can be inadequate under certain conditions.  
But I was confusing the issue brought up by the OP with me using a tarp over the top of my trailer while I'm driving down the road.  

The shade sail looks really good for , well, providing shade.   Which was the OP's question.

Thanks,

WP

highdesertranger said:

(1) 17'x24' it's impregnated material like what they use on Zodiac's. 

{snip}

(2) . least a foot and it slammed back down to the ground.  

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1.  I have to look into this stuff. 
2.  HOLY CRAP! 

Regards, 

WP

Well, its back to using clamps if 90#ers won't hold.

highdesertranger said:

...but it picked up the whole slab.  it was at least 5' across both ways and about a foot thick.  the energy in that tarp picked that whole slab up at least a foot and it slammed back down to the ground.  my buddy and I just looked at each other in amazement.  I got up readjusted the guy lines and it was good to go.

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Now that is something I would like to have seen.

A suggestion for an awning is the EZY Awning from Bus Depot. It's only $120 complete and is very well designed and does quite well in the wind. It would seem to be for VW buses only but it will work on any van with rain gutters. For vans without gutters or a roof rack, they offer a suction cup solution for attaching the awning to the van.

http://www.busdepot.com/A7905

These are both used at Burning Man (high winds) with 'proper" tie downs :
http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey/
http://www.shelters-to-go.com/flatconnectors.shtml

Sounds like a junkyard roof rack would be a valuable addition to your vehicle. Not only for tarp/awning/shade purposes, but cargo carrying.

I just bought an umbrella that hooks onto my directors chair at Walmart $12. Covers my whole body.

I like B&C's roof gutter clamp idea and would go this step.

Get a dining fly tent and set it up next to the Van (or whatever) with the clamps at either end of the side doors. Then hook one side of the dining fly to those and use the three other tent poles and guy's to anchor it to the ground. There will be a center pole with this type of tent which will help with water if it rains. But if it rains hard you may still find the edges of the tent collecting a lot of water. If it rains hard you should close the side doors to prevent getting water in the Van.

You can install awning track on the side of your van! van dwellers or those new to RVs often do not know about this product. You can even get it in white!

To hang a tarp or shade cloth get some 3/8" poly tubing from the hardware store. It is sold by the foot in the plumbing section. that tubing fits inside the track and glides along easily.

I cut the tubing into 1" lengths to make my own shade cloth hangers. Thead polyester Paracord through the tubing. Needs to be polyester as it is UV resistant (nylon is not UV resistant, it won't last to hrough the years). At the other end I put the cord through a washer. The hole in the washer needs to be just large enough for two ends of the cord to pass through. Then tie an overhand knot to keep the washer on. The outside diameter of the washer should not be able to pass through a grommet that is on the tarp, shade cloth, shade sail, etc.

With this system in place you can quickly install and remove your shade cloth in a few minutes time.

Awning track is available in 8' and 4' lengths. Just be sure to carefully line up any joined lengths so the tube slides smoothly.

If you want a waterproof cover you can purchase sewn on strips of "keder" heading and use polyester awning fabric. the Sailrite website is a good place to purchase the keder track headers.

I will post some photos in a few weeks when I have more time for that.

We found some strong vinyl rings (they were left over pieces to something long forgotten) and used a marine grade silicone glue and glued those things to the roof. It took a few days for them to cure or dry or ?. Then I made some ripstop fabric awnings for both the front and the back doors. I made some sticks to hook through the round rings sewed them to the awning at the right spots, made a heavy channel for a tent pole and some tabs for rope to hold the awning to the ground when the wind blows. It is not fancy, and I don't think it would hold up in a strong wind, but it works for shade if you are going to be someplace for a few days. It was cheap and it all folds down really small so works for me.

maki2 said:

I will post some photos in a few weeks when I have more time for that.

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Looking forward to seeing pics.