Rain Gutter Clamps for Awning?

[Khyron]

I've got a tarp and some tarp poles I'd like to use to make a ghetto fabulous awning for the passenger side of my van. &nbsp;I bought some plastic clamps but they just will not grip my rain gutter. &nbsp;What I would like is some purpose built rain gutter clamps that I could adapt to hook the eyelets of the tarp on to have a secure attachment. &nbsp;I'm finding lots of roof racks online or clamps that come in 6 packs but nothing is ideal. &nbsp;If I had a VW Vanagon I would be set with this <a href="http://www.busdepot.com/awnings-ten...ents-etc/add-a-room-detachable-shelter/j12003">Rain Gutter Clamps for Tent or Awning</a>. &nbsp;Anyone know of anything similar that would fit the rain gutters on a 2001 Dodge Ram Van? &nbsp;It's a high top conversion but doubt that makes too much difference.

 

[Khyron]

From the same site. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.busdepot.com/awnings-tents-and-add-a-rooms/awnings-side-tents-etc/b9013">Mounting Kit for Side Tent, Awning, Add-A-Room.</a> &nbsp;I might be able to adapt these suction cup mounts for my uses. &nbsp;My high top is too high to put on top but I could possibly stick em to the side. &nbsp;Wonder how grippy they are though. &nbsp;Will be some tension on em after I secure the 2 outward corners with guy ropes.

 

[VanFan]

I just use metal spring loaded clamps with rubberized coating to clip the tarp to the rain gutters.&nbsp; They came from Home Depot, are red, and run about $2 each.&nbsp; They have never come loose, but you need strong hands to use them.<br /><br />Some folks sew a casing in the tarp and run a thin rod through it, which rests in the gutter and is secured with clamps.&nbsp; That probably provides a better seal against rain, but it's something else to carry.<br /><br />Hope that helps.<br /><br />Vickie

 

[Khyron]

I just use metal spring loaded clamps with rubberized coating to clip the tarp to the rain gutters.&nbsp; They came from Home Depot, are red, and run about $2 each.&nbsp; They have never come loose, but you need strong hands to use them.

<br /><br />Well I was on my way to Lowes to get some fasteners for my drawers so they don't fly open when I turn corners so while I was there decided to look for those clamps you use. &nbsp;They had em all right, bought a couple. &nbsp;When I get home will see how well they work. &nbsp;Thanks!

 

[SoulRaven]

Here is the set-up I use...<br /><br />http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j135/TooRisky/85 Chevy G20 4x4 upgrades and projects/

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hi soulraven,<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I checked out your rig/layout . Looks like you have put alot of thought and time into your " home".<br />VERY NICE JOB!!!!!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Take care!<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Randy</span>

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[SoulRaven]

What I do is have the permanent I bolts mounted at the width I wanted, 3 I bolts... I bought 3 kerabeeners (sp) and put them through the grommets... Ya attach the tarps middle first, then with para-cord attach the ends to the I bolts... What this allows for is the differing sizes of tarps because the para-cord allows for adjustment...<br /><br />

I'm gonna check out those clamps. Meanwhile, I drilled holes in the rain gutter to match the holes in the tarp edge. Placed hex head bolts thru the holes with the heads under the gutter (pointing up), secured the bolts on the top edge with locking nuts, then wing nuts over that. When I need the tarp, I remove the wing nuts, place the grommets of the tarp over the end of the hex head bolts, screw the wing nut over the grommets and it works great! I carry a few extra wing nuts just in case I drop one and lose it. The disadvantage of this setup is that the grommets on each edge are not spaced the same so I marked the edge that secures to the side of the van with a marker. And if/when I have to replace the tarp, chances are the holes won't be spaced the same but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Ann, Kirby &amp; Hoover (The Killer Shihtzus) in Gypsy Dreamer 2005 Ford E-150 Tuscany Conversion Headed tomorrow to Silverton, CO

 

[SoulRaven]

Thanks Randy, by trade I am a mechanical engineering designer, so I do allot of tinkering and improvements out here in the field...<br /><br />

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hi soulraven,<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I checked out your rig/layout . Looks like you have put alot of thought and time into your " home".<br />VERY NICE JOB!!!!!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Take care!<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Randy</span>

 

[Guest]

&nbsp;Forget clamps Here is&nbsp; what&nbsp;I&nbsp; use <a href="http://www.curryindustries.com/poly-fastenerreg.html">http://www.curryindustries.com/poly-fastenerreg.html</a>&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;I&nbsp;glue it down&nbsp; with&nbsp; polyurathane&nbsp; adheasive to&nbsp; the&nbsp; skin of the vehical . (just make sure its&nbsp; clean&nbsp; first.) &nbsp;I can&nbsp; run&nbsp; vertical&nbsp; strips on the&nbsp; sides of the vehical&nbsp; to make side&nbsp; walls&nbsp;on&nbsp; the&nbsp; awning . And&nbsp; poprivit&nbsp; verticals to the&nbsp; upright poles .&nbsp; Very&nbsp; easy&nbsp; stuff to work&nbsp; with&nbsp; and holds&nbsp; tarps&nbsp; 100%&nbsp; secure . No more&nbsp; blowing&nbsp; away or&nbsp; ripping&nbsp; from&nbsp; pin point load&nbsp; stresses in&nbsp; the&nbsp; gromets&nbsp; . Get&nbsp;&nbsp; ya&nbsp; Some ! &nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[SoulRaven]

Now this is a great product find... Any one can use this for multiple purposes, but a sun/rain tarp come to mind... Excellent find Area51... BTW Double sided tape may not work in a van-dwelling situation due to the dust and grim encountered, but pop rivets would be a perfect way to attatch this product, along with a silicon type of water proofing...<br /><br />

&nbsp;Forget clamps Here is&nbsp; what&nbsp;I&nbsp; use <a href="http://www.curryindustries.com/poly-fastenerreg.html">http://www.curryindustries.com/poly-fastenerreg.html</a>&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;I&nbsp;glue it down&nbsp; with&nbsp; polyurathane&nbsp; adheasive to&nbsp; the&nbsp; skin of the vehical . (just make sure its&nbsp; clean&nbsp; first.) &nbsp;I can&nbsp; run&nbsp; vertical&nbsp; strips on the&nbsp; sides of the vehical&nbsp; to make side&nbsp; walls&nbsp;on&nbsp; the&nbsp; awning . And&nbsp; poprivit&nbsp; verticals to the&nbsp; upright poles .&nbsp; Very&nbsp; easy&nbsp; stuff to work&nbsp; with&nbsp; and holds&nbsp; tarps&nbsp; 100%&nbsp; secure . No more&nbsp; blowing&nbsp; away or&nbsp; ripping&nbsp; from&nbsp; pin point load&nbsp; stresses&nbsp; . Get&nbsp;&nbsp; ya&nbsp; Some ! &nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[Guest]

<p>Yes&nbsp; Steve ,&nbsp; exactly&nbsp;&nbsp; right&nbsp; .&nbsp; Forget&nbsp; the&nbsp; double sided tape . I use&nbsp; <a href="http://www.3m.com/product/information/Marine-Fast-Cure-5200-Adhesive-Sealant.html">http://www.3m.com/product/information/Marine-Fast-Cure-5200-Adhesive-Sealant.html</a>&nbsp; Just make&nbsp; Sure&nbsp; its&nbsp; where you&nbsp; want it&nbsp; stuck,&nbsp; because&nbsp; Stuck&nbsp; is&nbsp; where it&nbsp; will be .&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;Besides&nbsp; a&nbsp; clean&nbsp; surface&nbsp; to&nbsp; glue to&nbsp;&nbsp; you may&nbsp; want to&nbsp;&nbsp;wipe down&nbsp; the polyfastener&nbsp; strip&nbsp; with some thinner&nbsp; to&nbsp; remove any&nbsp; mold&nbsp; release&nbsp;&nbsp; that&nbsp; could be on it .&nbsp; Hope&nbsp; this comes in&nbsp; handy&nbsp; for you .</p>