9'x9' awning from Wal-Mart?!? ** new PICS **

[Blackdawg]

[NinetyEight]

Just bought mine at walmart, rang up to just over $32.00. I attempted to set it up, but it's hard to setup alone in the wind.

I'm planning on sewing a strip of tarp with a clamping mechanism to the edge of the canopy to create a watertight seal between the bus and the canopy.

Next calm day when I have a few minutes to spare I'll throw up some pictures of it.
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Otto Bus - 1978 Daily Driver

Rico - 1975 Bay

http://www.FromTheEyesofABus.Blogspot.com

[theizzardking]

[smithe68]

I figured the online order was the best option if they don't carry it locally, buy heh, what do I know?

What stereo are you getting theizzardking? I bought a Sony at Walmart for $150 that had a couple of 6.5" speakers with it and the deck has a usb port right up front. Not sure if it supports iPods, but I know I can stick a plain old thumb drive in it and play and control the music, it even shows everything on the display.
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'71 Transporter "Stella"
'63 Beetle

[Klaussinator]

OK, got it all figured out! (At least what works for me . . . )

THIS IS THE AWNING DEAL for our busses!!!

Set up with 2 legs and rest other side in the rain gutter. You'll notice a tapering gap that's about 3-1/2" in the middle.

With the canopy upside-down, stretch a line from corner to corner along the side that meets the bus.

Cut a piece of tarp to fill this gap (I used silver like the top of our bus.) Allow several inches to double over the edges before sewing, and allow an extra inch or so to go down in the gutter.

I used 3 cow magnets like this (bought at an animal feed store) and sewed them into the edge of the added piece. Space them evenly along the edge, and they will hold the center down in the gutter.

When you put it back up, this added piece will fill in the gap and make the awning weathertight to the bus. I used a spring clamp at each end so the magnets don't have to hold the awning in place. If it's really windy, throw a guy line from each of these corners over the bus and grab the front & rear bumpers.

Here's the finished product I used 1 guy line at each front corner, staked close to the bottom of the pole. This will hold it tight if the wind picks up.

And here's a cool extra! Also mimics a Kelty CarPort! Just fold the two legs in toward each other and lay the front edge on the ground. Don't even have to undo the guy lines! Only takes about 5-seconds up or down!!! Corners can be staked down if it's windy!

Here's the box so you know what to look for, and some pics to show the way it's made. Pretty well put together, especially for what we're paying!

Hope this helps answer some questions . . .

I'd love to see your pics or other ideas as well. Enjoy your shade!

-Klauss
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I have taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money!
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the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper

[enjoispammy8]

thats tite! looks like ill be going to walmart soon.
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1969 Westy, 1690cc. montana red and cloud white.
1969 Standard Beetle [sold]
Watch My Movies: https://www.youtube.com/user/taylorlikesacdc

[akscooter]

Very nice innovation, 35 bucks and a little creativity....right down my alley!
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1975 campmobile
1949 Ply Special Deluxe
1991 Custom 1200 HD Sportster XLH

[smithe68]

Wow Klaussinator, nice work, and thanks for all the pics and tips.
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'71 Transporter "Stella"
'63 Beetle

[1977_L63H_P27]

Great job! We'll be adding some blue tarp to ours soon. Peace!
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[Bajatacoma]

Very nice- especially for the price.
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'78 Westy

Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?
Hunter S Thompson

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

[afhusband]

Great post!
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1974 TinTop Westy -I'm Lovin it!!
Glass blowing, banjo pickin, bay-window bus driver.
vWYo New aircooled club for Cheyenne WY and surrounding areas!

[Klaussinator]

hey, Air_Cooled_Nut:

Thanks, and I used a 100% nylon carpet thread. Pretty tough stuff, and should take the weather just fine. I didn't worry about seam sealer or anything - figured I'm sewing thru at least 4-layers of material and it should be just fine.

Granted, this whole idea isn't perfection . . . But my entire bus was built around the principal of using or re-using what I've got or could find. I just won't pay $120 for an awning when my entire paint job was less than $50 (DupliColor spray paint on closeout at Ollie's)

I'm out to prove that you don't have to be rich to enjoy a VW bus, and this awning idea is just one more step in that progression. Total cost to resurect our `73 from the boneyard: just under $600 (yeah, that includes my new Klaussinator custom kwik-up color-matched awning!!!)

-Klauss
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I have taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money!
____________________________________________
the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper

[naynay]

I like your idea- and am of the same budget minded mind-set- what I have always wondered is if all these "sun shade" awnings can handle the rain- cuz rain is a simple year-round fact of life in the pac NW. but, I Did see a nice EZ up knockoff at Schucks auto supply for around $70 - that was called a rain shelter- a little more moolah, maybe worth it, maybe not. I am a lazy SOB- it looks like the compactness of the "ozark trails" comes from having to thread the poles through the awning...is that how it works? cheaper is way better for me- and the compactness is nice for sure- but like i said- lazy SOB- who will be camping as lone adult with my 9 y/o- who is a Super lazy SOB! so, how quick and easy can you get that bad boy up, and how rainproof does it seem to be? I too need to go to wally world anyway to get some speakers for my bus-it came with a nice stereo, but no speakers- and since I am soundproofing the heck out of it, I may as well be able to hear something other than the hamster wheel in my head!
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74 Rivi

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you Can do." - John Wooden

[Klaussinator]

naynay,

This thing is easy & quick to put up, even by yourself. I'm saying that after only having set it up three times (once after dark in the wind.) I assemble the roof upside-down on the ground, just slip the shock-corded fiberglass rods into the corner pockets and then secure the little velcro closures around them where they are sewn into the seams. Even the steel corner poles are shock-corded for quick assembly. These poles have a rubber foot at the bottom, and the top just mates up with the plastic mount at each corner. (see my last pic) The corners also have a bungee corded hook that grabs the pole and another velcro closure to keep everything nice & snug.

Really looks like a great design with no obvious "wear points".

When I flip mine over, I just rest the one edge on the gutter and the other end on the ground (like the Kelty) and magnets grab & hold it. Then I can go lift the other end and straighten the poles. A couple of clamps on the gutter, some guy lines if it's windy, and you're done!!!
Shouldn't be too hard for a "lazy SOB"

-Klauss
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I have taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money!
____________________________________________
the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper

[theizzardking]

[naynay]

hey lizzard king- I noticed you were in my neck of the woods..i checked your location when you mentioned being a tool designer for airplanes- I thought "Boing"-as everone pronounces it! good point on the side covers- how on earth could I have forgotten our lovely horizontal rain! Denial!

Klausinator- thanks for the R&D- and for letting this here lazy SOB know that it ain't too hard.

I actually work my A$$ off most days, so perhaps i am misguided in my self-perception.....but I DO know I like things to be easy squeezy and leisurely when I am on Vacation- I'm not one of those that Has to be fiddling around with something the whole time, adjusting this and that. I just want to kick back . So, wally-world here I come- I work til 4am, so I can shop when It isn't so insane in that store! I'll get myself those speakers I need too! work to buy- stuff stuff for my bus! oh, and pay the mortgage!

I'll get mine, set it up, and wait 5 minutes until the rain starts up, and see if it needs the waterproof spray....
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74 Rivi

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you Can do." - John Wooden

[71_georgia_beetle]

OK, I can't be the only one wondering!

[djspn]

cow magnets at froogle w pics.

http://www.google.com/products?q=cow+magnet&oe...p;ct=title
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Peace
'71 Bus .....stock running gear [ex SVDA and pertronix]

[vw76westy]

haha
i was wondering what a cow magnet was