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safari57 · 04-12-2007, 10:37 PM

I tried taking pictures tonight but with the awning rolled tightly it just doesn't show properly. I'll get it out of the shop on Monday and then I can open the awning to take some pics. Sorry for the delay, with the cars and trailer all stashed in the shop for the winter it makes it hard to get stuff moved around. We put the trailer in last minute after a huge rain and wind storm so it's covered with dirt and needs to be washed before I try to open the awning.
Barry

safari57 · 04-14-2007, 04:54 PM

Okay, took some pics - too tight with the cars in the shop to open the awning up but hopefully these pictures and some explanation will give you the idea.

The awning has been installed into the awning track (base) as you would any awning. One each end there's an achor for an eyelet on the trailer, screwed at the end of the awning track.

On the far outside corners of the awning there's the eyelet so when the awning is open and stretched out they are at the farthest corners where the corner poles will go, and when rolled up they come up nicely to the anchor.

Also, there are three straps sewen to the awning, one on each end and one in the middle. They are attached at the base one on either side with the long strap on the underside of the awning when it's opened. When the awning is open this strap just lays against the side of the trailer and it's not long so it's no bother. The clasp end, which could scratch the trailer, is on the top of the awning at the base. Thus, when the awning is rolled up, the bottom strap is pulled up and through the clasp to hold the awning rolled up.

At the outside end of the awning a piece of pipe was sewn in. This is great for keeping the awning straight, and it also easy to use for rollup purposes.

I hope this is making sense and I can clarify if anyone has questions, and once I get the trailer outside I can open it and take more pictures if required.

Barry

2333 · 04-14-2007, 07:05 PM

Barry,
... and this stays on, nice and tight, during towing? I suppose if the 3 straps are tight, then it doesn't "swing" out and repeatedly hit the side of the trailer. It seems with the pole rolled in, then at least 1 inch of material buffers it from the side, eh? So even if you do get some swinging, the material provides protection.

2nd - That vinyl bead...is everyone's rail the same standard size and this will fit it?

safari57 · 04-23-2007, 11:52 AM

Sorry it took so long to respond - I missed the message-0ops!!

With the straps you cinch it up tight and it does not move at all. I even put the poles for the outside corners into it when we are traveling. I take them out over the winter or it just looks too inviting for critters then. We've not had any problems whatsoever with it coming loose or losing anything, or marking of the trailer. With the three straps, and as long as I wrap it up tight (and I can do this alone from the middle but it helps if my wife takes an end to speed the process up) and pull the straps tight and it's solid.

I believe that rail is the same on almost every trailer. I did note that once the awning was slid into the track at the back a small screw was run through so the awning couldn't slide out the back if one of the straps wasn't tightened properly.

The whole awning only takes a bit to set up, not nearly as easy as a Zip Dee for sure, but still pretty easy to do. I have a friend who is going to make scallops for the sides and back and this winter we'll sew them on to add even more to the vintage look. As well I made wooden poles instead of the aluminum ones (out of broom handle material) but I didn't do it right so that's a to-do yet this summer - to rework them and then replace the aluminum one's I'm currently using. It will probably end up being a late summer project the way things are going.

I'm really close to having my water tank install completed and once that's done I'll pull the trailer out of my shop and set the awning up and take a few more pictures which will do far more to explain than my fumbling with words.
Barry

**Stefrobrts** · 04-23-2007, 01:16 PM

Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm sure some pictures of it unrolled when you get a chance would help as well. I'm a little puzzed about where the straps are. I suppose the ones that go around the roll must actually be sewed on close to the trailer, and you said the ones that go over the anchors are on the front corners?

safari57 · 05-28-2007, 08:29 PM

I set the trailer up in the back yard and took a swack of pictures of the awning as I unrolled it and set it up.

First off it's important to note that one reason this works so well is that whoever sewed the awning up also sewed in a piece of pipe at the outside end of the awning so rolling it up is easy, and it allowed me to make the other pieces you will see.

The first pictures are of the awning on the trailer, the attachments (straps) which are one on each end and one in the middle, and the rest is pretty straight forward.

This will probably take a couple of posts. Also, the way I set it up today was with the posts going back to the trailer. It's just as easy to have them straight up and down and the ropes to the ground like an old style awning, it's just for where I set it up I needed the room to get past with my mower (Monday's are mow days in our household).

safari57 · 05-28-2007, 08:35 PM

If I were just going to have the posts straight up and down and tied to a nail I wouldn't need the attachment at the bottom of the trailer. I have it both ways depending on where we are camped, the weather, etc. With it attached to the trailer in high winds we've never had any problems.

Here's more pics following along on the set up.

Barry

safari57 · 05-28-2007, 08:36 PM

And the final set of pics. Email me any questions.

2333 · 05-29-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks for posting the pics, it looks great!

**Stefrobrts** · 05-30-2007, 01:41 AM

That is a fantastic awning! Thanks so much for the pictures!

safari57 · 05-30-2007, 10:10 PM

Thank you. It does work very well. I wish I could take full credit for it but I only came up with the pole system.

It looks like we are about to build another one and refine the poles, etc. as our friends just purchased the twin to our trailer to tow behind their 1954 Ford stationwagon. Ours is s/n 7173 and theirs is 7143. They want the same style awning as mine so while we are doing theirs we will also update my poles and I also want to add scallops that attach with velcro to give it the official old timey look. I'll let you know when we do this (sometime this summer or fall I think) and will note any changes we make.

Barry

Fyrzowt · 05-30-2007, 11:55 PM

Thanks Barry, it looks great! Please post your final product.
Dave

CaptainJones · 05-31-2007, 07:11 AM

Nice job Barry.
Your trailer is so much what I want mine to grow up to be. I'll keep plugging away and maybe someday I will get it there.

Greg

FreshAir · 05-31-2007, 03:31 PM

Very nice, Barry.

What I like is that it 'looks' vintage. I can't spring for the bucks to by a new one but to put one together as you have would be very gratifying. Thanks for sharing.

Neil and Lynn.

raebaker06 · 06-01-2007, 07:45 AM

I bought a ZIP DEE and found it difficult to operate . definately not a one person thing.
Eventuall the metal fittings needed replacement and then the roll drum rotted out and I just scrapped the thing. never again for a thousand dollars.
It was flimsy and not sibstantial.

Rae

**azflycaster** · 06-01-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raebaker06

I bought a ZIP DEE and found it difficult to operate . definately not a one person thing.
Eventuall the metal fittings needed replacement and then the roll drum rotted out and I just scrapped the thing. never again for a thousand dollars.
It was flimsy and not sibstantial.

Rae

I have the oposite opinion of a ZipDee awning.
I installed a ZipDee on my 75 TW and I find that it is very easy to operate. I can deploy the awning in about 2 minutes and tuck it away in less. I did have a problem where I bent the arms when rain collected on it (my bad), but it has performed great. Setting it up and stowing it can be done by one person if it is installed correctly.

safari57 · 06-01-2007, 10:00 PM

Setting my old timey up is a good 5 minutes plus endeavour and if I'm real shakey, an easy 10. Fold up is much quicker and that I can do in 5 flat. I'd love a Zip Dee or equivalent but I just can't bear to hang My next step is to replace the metal poles with wood dowling. I've just got to figure out the correct ends to use. I'll go with copper as it suits the set up, but it's getting it all clear in my head, then convincing my wife to drive me over to Home Despot to throw some more money at the trailer (heh, heh). It may end up being a fall or winter project but we'll see.

Barry

muddy_hollow · 06-02-2007, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

Setting my old timey up is a good 5 minutes plus endeavour and if I'm real shakey, an easy 10. Fold up is much quicker and that I can do in 5 flat. I'd love a Zip Dee or equivalent but I just can't bear to hang My next step is to replace the metal poles with wood dowling. I've just got to figure out the correct ends to use. I'll go with copper as it suits the set up, but it's getting it all clear in my head, then convincing my wife to drive me over to Home Despot to throw some more money at the trailer (heh, heh). It may end up being a fall or winter project but we'll see.

Barry

I've got a 56 that I'm working on and the awning question will come up next season just prior to putting it on the road. Would you add a zip dee to your rig, assuming you had the funds?

Several vintage folks cringe at the idea of putting them on since they say it was not part of the period.

So what is the cut off year for using a zip dee?

Doug

safari57 · 06-05-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddy_hollow

I've got a 56 that I'm working on and the awning question will come up next season just prior to putting it on the road. Would you add a zip dee to your rig, assuming you had the funds?

Several vintage folks cringe at the idea of putting them on since they say it was not part of the period.

So what is the cut off year for using a zip dee?

Doug

Doug

To answer your question in one quick sentence: No, I wouldn't"

More data input: I've thought about the ZipDee. If I really wanted one I'd just buy it but I keep putting it off. It really isn't a funds thing although my wife will tell you I'm known to be "extremely thrifty", but I'm also not one to look for a ton of work setting up and tearing down every time I go camping either. Every time I look at the trailer ready to travel I like the look without awning parts hanging off of it, and the way mine is set up the awning is very unobtrusive. If the awning were made of silver colored material, or gray, it would be almost invisible which would be even better than what I've got now, but we are close.

If I become physically challenged to a point where it is difficult to put up the awning then I'll go with a manufactured awning, but again I'm not sure I'd go with the type with the arms permanently attached. It is also the "look" I get with this type of awning that is important for me. It is so close to period correct (I need scallops and my wooden poles) or at least the look I remember as a kid out camping with my family and that's what I want. I remember my dad out setting up the awning with us kids under foot while my mom was inside getting the dinner ready and it was a ritual tha allowed them some mindless tasks while they unwound from the days travels. Unless the weather is really sloppy crappy mine is not a boher to put up, and I find after a couple of times of first use each season it goes very quickly as I get the routine back down pat, and like my dad I now realize it's one of those relaxing and mindless things that allows my mind to slow down after the day.

So, for me this is it. I will do the scallops thing eventually, and this summer yet I'll do the swap out to wood poles from the metal I have now, and just doing the wood poles will move it along nicely towards the look I want.

Barry

denellen · 10-31-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safari57

To answer your question in one quick sentence: No, I wouldn't"--
Me either!

"So, for me this is it. I will do the scallops thing eventually, and this summer yet I'll do the swap out to wood poles from the metal I have now, and just doing the wood poles will move it along nicely towards the look I want.
Barry

Barry; thats the look I want too. Could I please have the benifit of your plan/ info for accomplishing it? I can't find the wooden poles or the scalloped, vintage striped material.
Thanks: Dennis