Awning Options

[joetiger]

Nope, no duct tape on the BD Awning. I think what you're seeing is a little stitched pocket where the poles attach to the corners. There are also velcro flaps that hold the poles in that I guess could look like duct tape if they aren't secured. The BD awning is pretty good quality, and as I've mentioned before, I have beaten mine to death yet it refuses to go gently into the night...
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[debbiej]

ah, ok. thanks!

[juanb]

This is my awning. It was $35 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BMN77M

And this is what it looks like in the Westy. I use a couple of velcro loops to attach the corners, one to the pop top hinge, one to one of the cargo metal loops. It was windy last night, yet it did ok. I tied a rope (several are included with the canopy) to a rock for stability.

As you see, you can let the legs be vertical, or you can attach them to the wheels of the van.

It's probably not quite as good as one of those $900 ones. But it isn't $865 worse than those, either
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1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

[HeftySmurf]

I have the exact same one.... Does the job for aboout 4% of the cost of others
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-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig

[idahoskier]

Juanb, that looks sweet! I couldnt bring myself to drop $500-900 on an awning either since Ill only use one maybe 2-3 times a year.

Heres what I came up with using the Kelty Cartarp. The poles that came with it are nice (orange ones in photos). The others are the cheapo adjustable style. Im using conduit for cross braces. It can be attached to the van via the rain gutter, roof rack, or hinge and front cargo area. I had it up like this during some winds @ 20 MPH and no issues. Still not properly field tested
With half rolled back for small area:

Party size:

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85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold

[vanis13]

[juanb]

idahoskier--yours looks pretty good too! Nice reach, I like that you have the option for two different lengths.

vanis13--the legs that come with it have three sections each. What I did was to make a 2-section part out of two of them (by taking the inside spring/elastic apart). Then attach these 2-section parts to the other legs, ending up with long, 5-section legs. The bottom of the legs can be inserted into your wheel holes if you have steelies like mine, or can be just secured against each tire.

When packed, it goes neatly into a 3-3.5 feet long zipped case in which it ships. Probably about the size of one of those canvas folding camping chairs.

Takes less than 5 minutes to set up, one person.

The 10x10 looks nice, I don't feel like I'd need the extra size, but I'd like mine not to be blue

Credit where it's due: I first saw this done by the Bodeswell.com guys:

http://bodeswell.org/2010/04/10/el-cheapo-20-awning/

j
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1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

[debbiej]

the entire time I've had my westy, I've been exploring awning options. I've adapted 2 "dining canopies" from local stores. K-mart has one of the ones I've used for sale right now for $30. I never liked the way it fit with the sewed on sleeve, the way the tips of the crossed shock cord poles didn't stay fixed. never liked putting them up, and the way they pop inside out.
a local car dealer has a dometic catelina 2500 on a van he has agreed to sell me. it comes with hardware and is in good condition. but when it comes right down to it, I don't think I want something so big on my van.

I guess like everything, it is a compromise of what is important.

so no big, permanant mounted things, resonably fast to put up and take down, light and small to pack. sturdy enough to withstand some wind.

I've not been skillful at making something I like the look of. so I think we'll order the BD awning. based on reviews and studying the design, I think it comes closest to meeting the requirements.

[shmcquilkin]

[idahoskier]

Thanks! The Buddha is aging gracefully In that pic the awning looks kinda floppy, but its actually really tight, which accentuates the catenary cut of the tarp along the outermost edges. Im hoping this will translate to good drainage.
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85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold

[debbiej]

I agree, your van is a looker!

do you attach your awning to the gutter when you pop the top? it looks nice!

[McVanagon]

[idahoskier]

I got the Car Tarp on closeout. It comes with two of their "staff poles", which are pretty nice. Not sure Id say its worth $100 though.
This might give you a better idea of coverage:

So far, attaching to the gutter is the only other configuration Ive messed with (pics are just me playing in my driveway). The gutter works well, but my tarpology training says there will be a better method in the rain
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85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold

[debbiej]

I feel silly. there is a different design of canopy at KMart. material is nicer-thicker. it is 10x10, and the design lends itself to a better attachment at gutter. it is called northwest territory vista shade canopy. tomorrow I'm going to buy it and take a look. If promising, I'll keep it and resign to guy ropes. If not any different from the unstable, annoying shade canopys I've tried before, I'll return it and order BD large awning.

and make curtains.

we have not had rain for more than 100 days, and it is POURING!!! YEA!!!

[MakeFast]

[debbiej]

the used awning isn't at an rv place. there is a 2nd hand car lot that specializes in used service-type vehicles. I noticed a border patrol x-ray van that had matching catalina 2500 awnings on each side of it. I stopped and asked him if he would sell one to me. I don't know what kind of shape they are in, but he told me $200. for one. which is a great price. it sticks out pretty far, and if I were going to mount something on the outside, I'd want something smaller.

the kmart awning isn't what I want either. so BD awning it is.

[Classicvibe]

I saw these on another thread fro VWJedi and thought they would fit well here.

I believe this is the Kelty Carport Large. I have read they take a little getting used to on set up, not particularly quick, but pretty cool. As I have been sketching things out, this product is pretty close to what I keep coming up with. I also have concerns about how it stores (it looks like it is 10lbs). We don't get a lot of rain here, but when we do, there is little a desert storm wont tear down. Anyway, I might break down and buy one, but that price is still a lotto bux.

Here are a couple of great deals on them:
http://www.rei.com/webservices/rei/DisplayStyle/82...erralID=NA - $215 (free member shipping)
http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap-hiking-camping-gear-sale/kelty-carport-deluxe-3season.htm - $197

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,3237U_Kelty-Carport-Deluxe-Shelter-Large.html
Holy smack, use keycode SITETUE611 on Sierra and save 20%. This seems like a pretty good deal to me! $186 shipped. This model looks different than the REI model FYI. ALjune1 makes it $172!

There is a good thread here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2815869

Just found this - free standing mode, now that is cool! I mean, a little clunky, but I kinda like it:

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On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[PDXWesty]

The Kelty Carport is a sunshade only. It is not waterproof and does not protect from rain. Mine was ripped up in some moderate winds also. Don't expect it to do more..
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Classicvibe]

[MakeFast]