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mg93108
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2009
Posts: 263
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 Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 5:48 pm Post subject: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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Hi Sambamians
I'm looking for a more budget-minded awning option BUT I'd like one that doesn't need to be assembled to open. I would like one that is enclosed in a metal type case, as opposed to a bag
What are your suggestions?
Yes, the Fiammi's are very nice but VERY expensive and even the ARB's on GoWesty are still over $600 with shipping.
What do you think? |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6530
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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I know it's not what you're asking but I am very unlikely to ever buy an awning that's not made by Jonce Fancher. 6.3 years of near-daily use and often in massive wind makes it an easy decision. About $300.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7465
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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What’s your location? Shipping awnings is expensive. Mule Expedition Outfitters in Seattle and Portland sell some great options at their retail stores ready to pick-up.
There are also hundreds of posts with answers available in search. The Vanis13 has been the most intriguing to me but I love my ARB and am sticking with it (inexpensive, simple, easy to deploy, easy to repair after wind damage).
| vanis13 wrote: |
This is my $150 awning which I have liked which deploys in 39 seconds. 3 years and going strong.
Link
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Search Results
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=555872
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/search.php?q=Vanagon%20awning
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3431
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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ARB is a zippered cae is approx $335 @ GoWesty, the hard shell will cost and additional $170.
I think the 8' x 8' (2500 x 2500) ARB in a bag is the best bang for the buck - and this is coming from someone who shield out for the Fiamma.
Note they even sell replacement bags at less than $40.
Other options are DIY, BusDepot's awning and I guess there's others.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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markswagen
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2018
Posts: 1028
Location: san diego
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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i second or 3rd or 4th the ARB awning, two down sides, it's an all or nothing deal, you can't open it part way, the second, it's not easy for some to deploy and put away on your own, while i can, i am much happier when i have help.
other than that it's awesome, also i have tarps cut to size, so i can add 2 walls to it, if necessary.
i WISH there was a 10' option.
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3795
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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ARB. I second the 10' option.
I paid $230 shipped for my ARB 2500x2500 awning. I'd highly recommend this awning. The Deluxe awning room is a sweet addition - especially with a blow up mattress for guests!
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6530
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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Fancher's are 11x9.
So there.  
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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Love My Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1837
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| Look for a used high end awning like a TransAwn 2000. If you can find one, they are now made by EezyAwn, but parts are still available if you need to repair it. I bought my TransAwn for $300 in 1987 and it's still going strong. The parts that get stressed are not made of plastic. BTW any awning will turn into trash if not staked down properly. |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3431
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| markswagen wrote: |
i second or 3rd or 4th the ARB awning, two down sides, it's an all or nothing deal, you can't open it part way, the second, it's not easy for some to deploy and put away on your own, while i can, i am much happier when i have help.
other than that it's awesome, also i have tarps cut to size, so i can add 2 walls to it, if necessary.
i WISH there was a 10' option. |
I talked to the factory about it and then started an inquiry on such on TheSamba. After the nitwit and rude responses, I shelved the idea.
Other forums that I inquired about the interest, were not negative at all, but there wasn’t enough traction for me to believe I could place a minimum order and then sell all of them. I did talk to at least one of the vendors about the idea.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7433318
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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mg93108
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2009
Posts: 263
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| Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| E1 wrote: |
| I know it's not what you're asking but I am very unlikely to ever buy an awning that's not made by Jonce Fancher. 6.3 years of near-daily use and often in massive wind makes it an easy decision. About $300. |
Thanks for your response. Do you have a link? I tried searching but can't seem to find anything |
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markswagen
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2018
Posts: 1028
Location: san diego
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 12:28 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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that's cool, i don't have the budget for a new awning, my ARB was bought broken from a good friend  it took me 20 minutes to fix it, and here we are, the wife was VERY happy  i would have bought a new one if we hadn't stumbled across the broken one.
| vanagonjr wrote: |
I talked to the factory about it and then started an inquiry on such on TheSamba. After the nitwit and rude responses, I shelved the idea.
Other forums that I inquired about the interest, were not negative at all, but there wasn’t enough traction for me to believe I could place a minimum order and then sell all of them. I did talk to at least one of the vendors about the idea.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7433318 |
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7916
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 12:50 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| mg93108 wrote: |
| E1 wrote: |
| I know it's not what you're asking but I am very unlikely to ever buy an awning that's not made by Jonce Fancher. 6.3 years of near-daily use and often in massive wind makes it an easy decision. About $300. |
Thanks for your response. Do you have a link? I tried searching but can't seem to find anything |
https://fanchers.com/shop?olsPage=t%2Fvolkswagen&page=1
I haven't seen an awning listed in a long while.
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22639
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 6:46 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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At the end of soccer season I bought two pop ups for $20
If one blows again high wind Ive got a spare
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.ssS! |
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Scubavw
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Montose, CO
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| Shady Boy? |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6530
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| mg93108 wrote: |
| E1 wrote: |
| I know it's not what you're asking but I am very unlikely to ever buy an awning that's not made by Jonce Fancher. 6.3 years of near-daily use and often in massive wind makes it an easy decision. About $300. |
Thanks for your response. Do you have a link? I tried searching but can't seem to find anything |
Sorry to leave that off, and Thanks Kammy for posting it!
Yes, he's still making them, he did a second one for us last Spring. You can choose any color or pattern from the Sunbrella website, which is awesome if you care about color like we do. The material is ungodly tough, as is Jonce's stitching.
We had one minor failure once. If expecting a lot of rain it's best to pitch the awning for it. We didn't and woke up to the awning full of water. It's seven feet off the ground but the bottom was like three! It had to have hundreds of gallons of water in it and all that did was partly tear out one grommet. Jonce fixed it for like $5, if he charged anything. This was after about 600 days' being up.
They come standard with three grommets and poles. We had him install four extra grommets; two up front to use four poles, and two at the bus-side corners for erecting it separate from the van. You can set it up level, or peaked at the center, or in a V shape to shed rain in buckets (sometimes literally, to gather water).
The awning uses stakes from TheClaw.com. Each stakes uses three steel pegs, when pounded in the awning ain't going anywhere!
The only downside is you have to stake in to use, so cannot use on pavement. It's been extremely rare we've needed to, we like camping on dirt anyway.
Our first awning got over 1,200 days' use and is now a driver's side awning and blind. When half rolled down it covers the windows perfectly, or we stake to the ground at an angle for shade and/or storage.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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tencentlife
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 10077
Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| Quote: |
| Note they even sell replacement bags at less than $40. |
I dunno how well some of the higher-end companies do on that account, but lots of people have said how easy to was to replace broken stuff on their ARB's, with spare parts being readily available, and inexpensive if not free. You will probably break something at some point if you use the things much.
_________________
Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4348
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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I truly encourage the OP to consider how much TIME costs. I had a conversation with a recent retiree who was not impressed with the ARB she bought. It landed solidly on her when I asked her how many half hours she wanted to afford to the awning each time. I mentioned the Vanis13 note on how little effort that one takes, and the 90 or so seconds to deploy and pack per camp.
Economy has more to do with perception than anything. You might think it is about dollars right now, but that might change to something completely different soon enough. Too soon for some.
I hope to run into her again some day and see what she came up with. Long May You Run, Gillian!
The Fiamma F45s at 11 foot 6 inches is, of course, the Cadillac.
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2321
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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| Scubavw wrote: |
| Shady Boy? |
We're very happy with ours. Just not brilliant in high winds or heavy rain - but we meet those rarely.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2795
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Which awning should I get? (something relatively inexpensive) |
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I'm another ARB fan and, like shagginwagon83, I got mine on sale through a non-VW vendor for around 250 shipped to my door. The PVC vinyl bag is tough that the ARB comes with, why do you want the metal case? I literally can't imagine a reason for needing it.
EDIT: Also,in very heavy rains, I was getting some run-off between my van and the awning. By flipping the bag inside out and towards the van, I fixed that. It acts as an extension that drains directly into the gutter.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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