Awning for van

[happyVanderer]

How do I rig an awning for my van?

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't know what type of van you have, but I would attach it to the roof rack if you have one. if you don't have a rack you need one. besides the tarp you also attach your solar panels to it. highdesertranger

 

[happyVanderer]

Will do. Thanks!

 

[abnorm]

HiYa Happy

Your Ford Transit has several factory installed mounting holes in the ribs...…..a plastic tab covers the hole

Recessed in that hole is a metric threaded nut...…..about 8mm...…..Be sure to seal the hole/bracket with DiCor

( HDR...….Her panels are direct roof mounted with feet/thru-bolts …. )

My awning is a sunshade ……...a CoolaRoo……...attached to my roof rack thru those mounting holes...…..doug

 

[Artsyguy]

Good advice from abnorm. I have a Chevy Express, therefore, no factory rack, holes, etc. My plan for this spring is to attach heavy duty magnets purchased off Amazon that have eye hooks to roof. Then use a tarp from Harbor Freight and a couple of collapsible tent poles and guy cords with stakes. This might be a bit ghetto, but I see no reason why it won't work. Currently, I'm just using a 10x10 e-z up for shade/rain protection when needed. The pre built awnings are very expensive. You Tube has a wealth of how to build your own awning. It's called, "Google".
Good luck!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

You could also buy a light weight camping tarp with eyelets tie a few ropes to it throw the ropes over the roof open the front door on the opposite side close it with the rope in it with a knot or something that won’t slide out and do the same at the back with the rear door on the same side then peg it out from the van with more ropes and poles or tie it to trees if you have any around

 

[nature lover]

Most of you already know this but if your looking for shade - stay away from the cheap blue tarps as the sun comes right thru them. The gray on top and black underneath tarps cost more but are essential for cool shade from the sun. I can't wait till it gets warm enough here to need one.

 

[VanFan]

I have a Chevy Express, therefore, no factory rack, holes, etc.  My plan for this spring is to attach heavy duty magnets purchased off Amazon that have eye hooks to roof.  Then use a tarp from Harbor Freight and a couple of collapsible tent poles and guy cords with stakes.

Good plan, but you might want to reconsider those hook magnets.  I tried using them for sunscreens with grommets, and was very surprised how easily they pulled off!  It's the angle, I guess.

If you have rain gutters, using spring clamps works very well for holding the tarp on.  Collapsible poles and guy lines work great.  These Figure 9's from Nite Ize are nice for tightening the lines--but keep the instructions handy!  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4P3T2C?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

 

[grandpa pete]

If you decide to go with a commercially made awning  : do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for the ARB awning ….

 

[bigsallysmom]

My awning is a tarp. I made awning poles from different diameter of PVC and bolts. Haven't used them in high winds. Some use electrical conduit.

 

[highdesertranger]

mine is a tarp too.  here's some pictures,


attached to my rack


in this view you can see one of my tent poles.  they are military surplus aluminum the strongest damn tent poles I have ever seen.


here it is on my new trailer.

highdesertranger

 

[Artsyguy]

Good plan, but you might want to reconsider those hook magnets.  I tried using them for sunscreens with grommets, and was very surprised how easily they pulled off!  It's the angle, I guess.

If you have rain gutters, using spring clamps works very well for holding the tarp on.  Collapsible poles and guy lines work great.  These Figure 9's from Nite Ize are nice for tightening the lines--but keep the instructions handy!  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4P3T2C?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

How many pound magnets did you use?  The ones I bought are rated at 150 lbs each.  I'll most likely use 4 mounted flat on the roof.    Clearly the angle they are mounted will make a difference in how much weight they can take.

 

[maki2]

Go to the hadware store or to Harbor Freight and get the big suction cups used for pulling out dents or for moving glass. That is what the people on the Fiberglass RV forums use to hang a tarp or shade cloth awning. Stronger than a magnet and easy to take off and on.

 

[maki2]

Here is a link to an image of an easy to use suction cup lifting handle from Harbor freight. It can resist a 125 lb pull. Way stronger than a small magnet with a hook. No damage to the paint job. Just be sure you wipe the dirt off the area you clamp it to for good suction power. The handle area between the cups makes it easy to put a rope through that is coming from the grommet holes on a tarp or shade cloth. Of course if you have your camp setup for a long length of time you will want to renew the suction action every once in a while so that the grip stays firm https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-cup-suction-lifter-46134.html

An alternative to this clamp does come in white. You will find it in the hardware stores in the plumbing aisle or from online sources including Amazon. It is a suction cup, safety bar, grab handle for use in bath tub and shower areas. I have a couple of these grab bars, you can find them in thrift stores now and again.

In order to get suction you do need a smooth, clean, flat surface area.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

As someone who has used this type of suction cup for many years I wouldn’t waist your money if your Only use/ intention is to hold an awning on a vehicle. One thing the surface has to be perfectly flat like glass, no dust,no dirt, non porous, no curvature. if left sitting without repumping them, they will let go. As they get older the period of time becomes very short like every five minutes or less. If someone is claiming they work they have not had them long enough. if brand new they may work but that is short lived.

 

[maki2]

Kurbmaster says "As someone who has used this type of suction cup for many years I wouldn’t waist your money if your Only use/ intention is to hold an awning on a vehicle. One thing the surface has to be perfectly flat like glass, no dust,no dirt, non porous, no curvature. if left sitting without repumping them, they will let go. As they get older the period of time becomes very short like every five minutes or less. If someone is claiming they work they have not had them long enough. if brand new they may work but that is short lived." 

I also use one for a temporary handle to grab onto when I climb up onto a folding portable platform I carry for use as an outdoor table/workbench and a way to reach the solar panels on the roof of my trailer and tow vehicle. It clamps just fine to my car and to my travel trailer since they are both smooth surfaced and relatively flat. They will clamp to a gently curved surface but of course not to an extreme curve and not to something such as bumpy Rhino liner or other textured coatings.

When you look at the photo below of the handle clamped onto the side of the trailer, ( I positioned it there to grab onto when climbing up onto my folding scaffold to do some work on the roof) take look at that black horizontal line up above the window. That is a length of awning track I installed. I slide my shade cloth and reflective tarps into that awing track. Before I added the awing track I used the suction cup bars to secure the awning to the top of the roof and they worked just fine. The awning track I got from the company Sailrite, they do have videos on youtube about all kinds of useful products they sell. I purchased the folding platform through Home Depot's website; online only but delivered to the store of your choice. The scaffold has been a great investment for my camping gear as has the grab bar which is handy for many things including a towel bar and way to secure a shower bag.

 

[VanFan]

While I don't have experience with the suction cup grab bars, I totally agree with Flying Kurbmaster's assessment of the suction cups based on long-term experience.  They were pretty handy when they worked, while they worked, but overall a bust.

 

[bonvanroulez]

While I don't have experience with the suction cup grab bars, I totally agree with Flying Kurbmaster's assessment of the suction cups based on long-term experience.  They were pretty handy when they worked, while they worked, but overall a bust.

They work until they don't, and when they let loose is when you're relying on them. I fell in a tub/shower while holding onto on of those suction grab bars. I had even given it a test tug and it seemed secure but then it just came loose and I went down. Could have been disastrous at my age. I would never use one as a climbing or step assist.

Not sure I understand how one would work to attach an awning to a van/camper, but I wouldn't trust it to hold. I have seen purpose-built suction devices to attach an awning to a van.

 

[bonvanroulez]

For the OP, an awning I really like is the Ezy Awning from Bus Depot. It's designed for a VW bus but since it attaches to the rain gutter it will work with any van with gutters. I like that being attached by the gutter it's a rain-tight attachment to the van so rain water doesn't run down between the van and the awning. For vans without gutters they sell a few alternate methods of attachment like the aforementioned suction devices or by attaching it to a roof rack.

I've had and used one with my van for 7 years now and its held up really well. With the cross supports it creates a dome shape with extra headroom. Its very stable in winds when guyed down at the outside corners. And it's only $120 complete.

https://www.busdepot.com/a7905

Picture is a grab from their website

 

[highdesertranger]

bonvanroulez what's the dimensions? it doesn't say in the ad. highdesertranger