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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:49 pm Post subject: ARB Awning |
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Has anyone purchased the ARB awning..Are you happy with it and how did you mount it to your van. Looks like a nice awning for the price
Cheers
Al |
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bmxanddie Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2012 Posts: 38 Location: Seattle Wa
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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I'm actually standing under my arb awning right now! It's great, cheap and very sturdy. I used the mounts Kirk designed at northwesty here in seattle to mount the awning. |
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pigryder Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2012 Posts: 162 Location: south central PA
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 6:10 am Post subject: |
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I love my ARB awning, bought it at a local shop had it for me next day. I paid 280.00 for it plus the GW gutter mounts. I bought the big one just over 8' wide.
Its built very well, super easy to put up and take down, poles are attached to the awning so only loose parts are the 4 stakes and 2 guide lines. Only needs staked down if theres wind. Theres are tracks on the aluminum mount that bolt heads slide into and can then be pretty much mounted to anything you can put four holes in.
A little hard to see in the pic but the color is Tan, just a tad darker than stinks tent. Its made of heavy canvas coated material. The bag is also heavy duty, protecting it from tree branches I drag down it lol _________________ 1982 Westfalia L Diesel "Stink"
1982 Vanagon GL Diesel "Charlie"
1983 Rabbit GTI a 20 year love affair
1988 Cabriolet diesel |
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moremorevan Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2012 Posts: 92 Location: Portland
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Have to agree. Got the ARB for under $200 and got the brackets from Northwesty.
_________________ 89 westfalia |
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RileySB Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Central Coast, CA
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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Galavanter or BMXAnddie,
Could you please post a pic of the northwesty brackets? This awning seems to be the best option for me but I am curious about the gutter mounts and how they install.
Thanks! |
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moremorevan Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2012 Posts: 92 Location: Portland
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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I'll have to take one this weekend, but they're a simple rain gutter mount. There's 2 brackets holding up the awning. Each bracket is made up of 2 pieces that clamp to the rain gutter using one bolt. There's pads to protect the areas of the brackets that touch your paint. Quality brackets + no drilling. _________________ 89 westfalia |
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luVWagn Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1340 Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Galavanter wrote: |
Have to agree. Got the ARB for under $200 and got the brackets from Northwesty. |
Where did you buy the awning?
How much were the brackets?
Looks like a good option to the fiamma - what's the down side?
Cheers. _________________ '91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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thanks guys. Just to confirm you have the 2500 or the 8ft one?
Just ordered my ARB..Now to Northwesty for the mounts..happy camping
Al |
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moremorevan Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2012 Posts: 92 Location: Portland
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RileySB Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Central Coast, CA
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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Galavanter wrote: |
I'll have to take one this weekend, but they're a simple rain gutter mount. There's 2 brackets holding up the awning. Each bracket is made up of 2 pieces that clamp to the rain gutter using one bolt. There's pads to protect the areas of the brackets that touch your paint. Quality brackets + no drilling. |
Thanks for the reply and description. Perfect. No need for a pic now. I don't know what I was thinking it was.... |
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WandS Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2007 Posts: 228 Location: Miami, Florida
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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Have one and love it. _________________ 85 Westy Weekender with a Bostig Conversion. |
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ShootingFish Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2010 Posts: 330 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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We have one as well and it works great. I picked up some sandbags to keep it on the ground when we are places that staking guy lines do not work.
Water jugs are great too if you have a stream or water source near by. _________________ SF
Props aren't just for boats....
'88 2WD ALH-TDI Westy
'90 Syncro 16 Doka |
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TopBud Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2004 Posts: 1111 Location: Flagstaff AZ
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Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Do you guys keep them on your van all the time? Are they easy to put on and off of the vehicle. I hope to check one out in person at the Overland Expo.
Thanks _________________ 86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia |
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pigryder Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2012 Posts: 162 Location: south central PA
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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Top bud I leave mine on the stink all the time, it even fits under the cover with it on. Wouldnt be too hard to take off but after a few times you'll just leave it on
And the down side is.... you have to roll it with your hands... _________________ 1982 Westfalia L Diesel "Stink"
1982 Vanagon GL Diesel "Charlie"
1983 Rabbit GTI a 20 year love affair
1988 Cabriolet diesel |
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VanandGone Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2011 Posts: 42 Location: Some where on the road
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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pigryder wrote: |
I love my ARB awning, bought it at a local shop had it for me next day. I paid 280.00 for it plus the GW gutter mounts. I bought the big one just over 8' wide.
Its built very well, super easy to put up and take down, poles are attached to the awning so only loose parts are the 4 stakes and 2 guide lines. Only needs staked down if theres wind. Theres are tracks on the aluminum mount that bolt heads slide into and can then be pretty much mounted to anything you can put four holes in.
A little hard to see in the pic but the color is Tan, just a tad darker than stinks tent. Its made of heavy canvas coated material. The bag is also heavy duty, protecting it from tree branches I drag down it lol |
Hey there! Nice setup! I'm just wondering about the GW brackets with the ARB awning. Was it necessary to drill any holes or do they simply mount to the gutter? Do you have any pics of the brackets prior to the awning mounted? Just wondering if it's an easy installation? I have looked at the northwesty brackets, but they are out of stock, with no known availability. |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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The ARB awnings are terrific. I just had one installed a few days ago by Tony (Samba handle Motorsports) here in Portland.
He used the GoWesty mounts, which require two small holes drilled in them to match the bolts on the awning.
That is the only alteration that's needed. Installing the awning was very straightforward, but having a friend to hold up one end of that will help.
Prior to this I had the awning from Bus Depot. I really like this awning once it was set up, as it was both robust and had a nice dome shape to repel the rain. However, getting set up was about a 15 min. process, which is often more time than I want to take.
My two bits: If you're going to set up a base camp for two or more days to hang out, go with the bus depot. If you think you will often find yourself setting up the awning for anywhere from an hour up to two days, and if you might need to set it up fast ( i.e., in the rain), then I suggest the ARB.
ARB awnings come in several sizes. Most all vanagon owners will want to buy the largest, 8 feet.
I will post a YouTube video soon about how to deploy this awning.
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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VanandGone Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2011 Posts: 42 Location: Some where on the road
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Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 8:49 am Post subject: |
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climberjohn wrote: |
The ARB awnings are terrific. I just had one installed a few days ago by Tony (Samba handle Motorsports) here in Portland.
He used the GoWesty mounts, which require two small holes drilled in them to match the bolts on the awning.
That is the only alteration that's needed. Installing the awning was very straightforward, but having a friend to hold up one end of that will help.
Prior to this I had the awning from Bus Depot. I really like this awning once it was set up, as it was both robust and had a nice dome shape to repel the rain. However, getting set up was about a 15 min. process, which is often more time than I want to take.
My two bits: If you're going to set up a base camp for two or more days to hang out, go with the bus depot. If you think you will often find yourself setting up the awning for anywhere from an hour up to two days, and if you might need to set it up fast ( i.e., in the rain), then I suggest the ARB.
ARB awnings come in several sizes. Most all vanagon owners will want to buy the largest, 8 feet.
I will post a YouTube video soon about how to deploy this awning.
-CJ |
Thanks CJ! I am seriously leaning towards the ARB and I'm glad I do not have to drill into my van!! I look forward to your video! |
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steewoz Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2009 Posts: 170 Location: Boston
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Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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The ARB is pretty darn good for the money. So good that I bought two!
I've had the Fiamma in the past, and it is a better quality product from an ease-of-use and durability standpoint. Although, it is rather heavy and quite expensive.
The ARB is pretty easy to set up and you don't feel the weight of it on the vehicle. It feels more like setting up a tent than rolling out an awning. That being said, I've bent some of the lightweight aluminum fittings while setting up the ARB solo in slightly windy conditions. The Fiamma feels more like you're using patio furniture...rock solid, but at a steep price. _________________ 87 Syncro
15 Rubicon
Vans With At Least One Wheel In the Air
www.facebook.com/driveslowtakechances |
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Well just got my ARV installed and very impressed with the product. Haven't had a chance to put it up but will as soon as the rain stops.
Used Gowesty, fiamma brackets and they worked well with the awning
For the price I'm very impressed..
Got mine in Montreal and shipped to Calgary was around $280 for the 8ft unit..Was here within a week and no border problems
Cheers
Al |
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singler3360 Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 1191 Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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