I am considering making an awning for my newly acquired 1973 Argosy. It has the channel the awning slides into. Due to budget I am considering buying awning fabric or buying one of the several pre-made ones on ebay. It has the awning channel on the trailer and I'm wondering what is needed to fit into the channel. Or......... If I buy one off ebay....... What brand would slide into the existing channel on the Argosy???? Thanks!!! The site is a treasure of info.
We once made one out of a plastic tarp. My wife was handy with a sewing machine and sewed a rope on one side of it. It was a little hard for the sewing machine, wouldn't recommend using just any sewing machine. We then slid it into the slot. We supplied the awning poles and stakes and tied it off. It didn't look the greatest but it did work and wasn't expensive.
sundance,
let's see if these photos come through. If so, this is what I did. Fabric is a middle weight cotton duck I got from a Historic tent maker. He called this color British WW1 tent fabric. It was also uv treated. I had the poles but they are available at most any camping supply store. I found the right size nylon cord that when wrapped by the fabric was snug but still would slide into the track. My awning track was s little rough in a few places so make sure it is smooth and clean before using. So pick whatever fabric you like. sunbrella, etc. measure the size you want. Get your adjustable sliding tent poles, stakes, cording with sliding loop locks (camping store) and a spring for each pole. I have more luck with the poles upside down and pointy end sticking out of the grommet hole, the spring attached to that end and tied on to the pole. I think the fabric with sewing was around $165.00 and lots of trial and error.
gary
Vintage Trailer Supply has the best one out there for vintage, but the zipdee is top of the line stuff. As far as home made. I found a sunshade through target that measures 10x10 and comes in blue, yellow and i believe green. I thought of doing the same thing as the streamer above spoke of regarding tent poles and guide ropes. So prices would vary from $125 - $600 - $1200 approximately. Guess it depends on home much cash you have for the project and the look your trying to go for. Good luck to you. Rick
... My awning track was s little rough in a few places so make sure it is smooth and clean before using. ...gary
The best thing about the Vintage awnings is that they use a formed plastic piece the has a flat, for sewing to the fabric, with a cylindrical edge for sliding into the awning channel. I was in a hurry when I got mine and its edge is made with a small plastic tube inside a sewn loop that all goes into the channel. My channel is a little rough on one end and I've already made a small tear in the fabric by putting it up by myself.
I've helped a friend with her Vintage Trailer Supply awning and it's easy and seems more durable, at least on the channel edge.
I also have been thinking about making a new one for ours. The old one is all stained. It looks to me like there are 5 strips of material sewn together. Seems simple enough. I would use a heavy duty machine for anyone trying to do this. Im afraid a regular machine couldnt handle the material and the thick thread that would be required to hold it together. Good Luck! I will post some pictures as soon as I can get a free moment to try it.
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John and Tammy Adams
AIR # 15902
The best thing about the Vintage awnings is that they use a formed plastic piece the has a flat, for sewing to the fabric, with a cylindrical edge for sliding into the awning channel.
I was at Nolan RV this last weekend and saw that they carry this extruded vinyl strip you are talking about....
If you are going to make an awning, I would look to see if your local marine/RV shop carries a similar product. It's the way to go, if you can find it...it looks like it would be much more durable than the fabric wrapped rope dicussed earlier. In section, it's basically a round solid portion with a 1-1/4" or so flap, kinda like a lolipop...you sew the fabric to the flap and slide the round prtion through the awning rail.
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
When I first got my Tradewind I considered making my own awning. I went with one from Vintage Trailer Supply instead and have not regretted it. However, this link to CSC Textiles was one I'd saved. They have an awning bead under the Molding and Awning Welt section that I think will fit.
to make an awning fit into the existing rail is to sew a pocket into the fabric. The slide a piece of 'polyrope' into the pocket and then slide the entire thing into the rail.
The 'polyrope' is simply polyethylene or polyurethane tubing.....the stiffer the better. IIRC, it is about 4.5mm O/D. You can get it at McMaster-Carr.
This is the same stuff, used in varying dimensions, by all of the awning companies.
to make an awning fit into the existing rail is to sew a pocket into the fabric.
Yes, except the fabric portion gets dirty & worn over time.
That's exactly how my existing awning is, except is got plastic/vinyl tubing instead of rope...and after three seasons, the fabric is abit dirty & worn where the awning rail rubs on it, not frayed...but not as stiff as it was/is elsewhere. Now mind you, it's probably been slide in & out over 150 times, but it does show more wear than I would like it to. The extruded vinyl may last longer, unless it becomes brittle over time being in the sun, I don't know. I was looking to possibly replace the rolled fabric with the vinyl extrusion welt or use it on Birdy's awning.
Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
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