oakback
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Post by oakback on Aug 8, 2018 4:58:34 GMT -8
Are most of the awnings just for shade? I've read several things online that hit toward them being for shade and not for rain (like taking them down when rain is coming).
Is this the norm? I'd like an awning for rain, more than shade. Is that common?
Sorry if this is a dumb question, I haven't seen a vintage-style awning in person, and reading fabric material descriptions doesn't explain a lot to me.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Aug 8, 2018 5:07:34 GMT -8
Fabric for vintage style awnings is less of a problem for rain than the typical design of them. On modern rv awnings the roller support and arms holding it up can be positioned to drain off accumulating rain, where vintage style support is typically a pair of poles and some ropes pegged into the ground. That kind of awning will allow rain to pool and possibly collapse the whole shebang. Modern style awning supports are both cumbersome and too heavy for our little tin cans. Plus, they don't have that primitive vintage look. Maybe.
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Aug 8, 2018 7:31:33 GMT -8
I'm not too concerned about the vintage look, but the vintage-style awnings seem to be the most practical for this size of camper. The roll-out awnings are heavy and stick out quite a bit (I'm concerned about snagging tree branches). And if it gets damaged and I have to get a new one, I'm looking at possibly filling mounting holes and drilling new holes. With the vintage style, the awning rail (or whatever it's called) is unlikely to get damaged; getting a new awning doesn't mean filling or drilling. I've also looked at "bag awnings", they can mount to the awning rail but act like a roll-out awning. They're a bit overly complex and expensive, not to mention the bag seems like the perfect place for mildew and critters to live. Regarding rain pooling, I use a tent with a similar awning (it's a pretty big tent), and I just lower one side with the adjustable poles when rain is expected. I may end up buying some silnylon or similar fabric (ripstopbytheroll.com) and having someone sew it for me, and add some grommets for the poles.
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CorvettCrzy
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Aug 8, 2018 16:14:07 GMT -8
I've been contemplating spraying waterproofing on my homemade vintage awning, was also thinking of lowering a pole which is what we always did with the roll out awning on our campers as well. Has anyone tried this?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Aug 11, 2018 18:51:08 GMT -8
I’ve seen a vintage style awning that had shock-corded fiberglass poles that went diagonally like a tent. The higher center let the water roll off. I hadnt thought of this for a while, but as we get ready for a three week road trip into the Canadian Rockies, it might not be a bad idea.
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oakback
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Post by oakback on May 28, 2019 8:00:37 GMT -8
I may end up buying some silnylon or similar fabric (ripstopbytheroll.com) and having someone sew it for me, and add some grommets for the poles. I did this, but learned to sew and did it myself. The seams and hems look terrible up close, but it's functional. I'm not sure if I'll add a shock pole in the middle to give it an arch, or just lower one of the poles when it rains. This is 1.1 oz silpoly, awning rope, and grosgrain at the grommets:
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 28, 2019 14:20:33 GMT -8
Nice!
Funny, in the last photo everyone is sitting just outside the awning.
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oakback
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Post by oakback on May 28, 2019 18:17:45 GMT -8
But in shade!
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Post by Teachndad on Jun 9, 2019 7:18:45 GMT -8
Nice job Oakback,
What is the upside down funnel shaped thing on top of your pole tip and where did you get it?
Does it really work? It looks like it's supposed to shed water off so it doesn't go down into the shaft interior of the awning pole.
Cheers,
Rod
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Jun 10, 2019 3:49:46 GMT -8
Nice job Oakback, What is the upside down funnel shaped thing on top of your pole tip and where did you get it? Does it really work? It looks like it's supposed to shed water off so it doesn't go down into the shaft interior of the awning pole. Cheers, Rod It came with those, they call it a "tip protector: perfect for using in the center position of tarp or tent, and will not rip the material". I wouldn't use it for that unless my material was very thick, but they fit the grommet very snugly. I probably could have used smaller grommets and removed the tip protector, but I was out of the smaller grommets and didn't feel like driving to the store for more. "Anyoo Camping Tarp Shelter Lightweight Hammock Rain Fly Waterproof Durable Portable Compact for Fishing Beach Picnic" www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CKYWLQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Post by Teachndad on Jun 11, 2019 5:59:10 GMT -8
Thank you!
In another post I shared problems with rain water coming in through the pole tips somehow and down into the pole itself. I wanted to avoid the problem again. These tip protectors should make a difference.
Thanks again Oakback.
Rod
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Dec 28, 2019 17:22:47 GMT -8
We solved the sagging awning problem with the diagonal pole system described above. We simply sewed double reinforced pockets in the four corners to accept poles made from 1/2 inch PVC pipe. We measured corner to corner and added about 10 to 15 percent to the length. Each pole was made of two pieces with one pole having a PVC connector glued permanently to one end. Its mate simply dry fits to be removable (lubricate the receiving end of the connector). Make one part slightly longer than the other to avoid having the joint directly in the center. At the center of the awning material where the poles cross, sew in a generous piece of velcro to capture the crossing poles. It gets a bit awkward to assemble in place. Start by sliding the awning material in place normally, and set the two corner poles in a half height position. One at a time set the cross poles in the corner pockets, then lift both and secure at the center point with the velcro. Definitely a two person job. It should now look like a slightly domed tent. Re-adjust along the length slider and raise the corner poles to level everything. Our awning is about 9'x11',and we need only two poles. The added benefit is that if it is not windy, we don't need line braces (to trip over). We simply dig a small hole to set the pole feet to keep from accidentally kicking out of place. Now, even with heavy rain, there is no sagging and pudding.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 30, 2019 4:48:59 GMT -8
I think it's great having a dry place to sit in the rain but dealing with a wet awning when it's time to pack up, or packing it up in the rain, always kept me from making one.
Somebody who had one said he often had to unpack it when he got home, lay it out in the sun for a day, then repack it.
And what about mildew?
Am I overthinking it?
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Post by vikx on Dec 30, 2019 21:26:56 GMT -8
We just drape ours over something and let it air dry for at least a day. Never pack a wet awning...
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Jan 2, 2020 5:52:46 GMT -8
I've tent camped forever, and it's a normal thing to set stuff up at home to dry after a rainy trip. It'll survive a day packed up wet without any mildew or damage, especially modern nonabsorbent synthetic materials.
Since our trailer is parked in a carport, I slide the awning in the rail and let it hang to dry. The silpoly material I made mine from dries very fast.
In the summer it rains daily at times in Florida, so having a rain shelter (aside from sitting inside) is great.
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