Homemade Awning???

[Sundance]

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.

[Zeppelinium]

vintage airstream supply has awnings that fit and look great.

Zep

[Silvertwinky]

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.

[safari62]

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

[mcrickc]

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

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by safari62

... 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.

Zep

[Silver Threads]

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.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

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

[Sugarfoot]

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.

[Suburbanbloom]

To all...
Your posts are amazing! And I think I can surf! WOW!

[lewster]

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.

[Silver Threads]

What about using the existing Harware and just replacing the fabric? Wonder how hard that would be? Any ideas?

[InsideOut]

Easiest way...

Originally Posted by lewster

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

[Sugarfoot]

Originally Posted by Silver Threads

What about using the existing Harware and just replacing the fabric? Wonder how hard that would be? Any ideas?

I would think that's possible for anyone with the skill and patience. I'm sure it would help to have the old awning as a pattern.

[safari57]

I inherited my awning with the trailer. At each end of the trailer one of those eyelets has been screwed to the trailer that you'd see on a soft material truck bed cover. Then at the outside corner of the awning is the other piece sewn on so that when the awning is extended it's at the farthest from the trailer, but when rolled up it goes over the eyelet and you turn the chrome button and the awning is secured nice and tight for travel, without having to take it off. There's also three straps, one on either end and one in the center, that you do up to keep it all nice and snug while travelleing. I roll the awning poles up inside the awning. I'll take some pictures of it rolled up so you get the idea either today or tomorrow. It's slick though and works extremely well. I'm actually going to extend my awning so it comes out further than the 8 feet it does now to increase my total area covered. I'm thinking 12' .

Anyways, I'll send pictures of it rolled up and you will get the idea.

Barry

[Safari 66]

I, also am planning to fabricate an awning using the plastic bolt tape and storing the awning (perhaps in a tube) when not in use. If the awning is about 12 feet long, does anyone know if the tape can be folded in half lengthwise or is it too rigid. Or, could it the tape be in two 6 foot lengths? Or,..should I just find a place to attach a 12 foot storage tube?

Kent

[mandolindave]

I have the original Zip Dee on my 73 .It still looks great. They use
" color thru" material ( scratches don't show ). Mold and mildew won't grow on the fabric itself, but it will grow on surface dirt. Hose it down and I am good to go. The cost of a new Zip Dee might be worth it, if it's going to last 40 years. Dave

[Silver Threads]

Ours still works fine its just stained from the weather after sitting for years. If only they could be removed and washed??? Maybe someday someone will come up with one that is easily removed and stored. A tube would be a great idea.

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by safari57

At each end of the trailer one of those eyelets has been screwed to the trailer that you'd see on a soft material truck bed cover. Then at the outside corner of the awning is the other piece sewn on so that when the awning is extended it's at the farthest from the trailer, but when rolled up it goes over the eyelet and you turn the chrome button and the awning is secured nice and tight for travel, without having to take it off. There's also three straps, one on either end and one in the center, that you do up to keep it all nice and snug while travelleing.

I'd love to see pictures of this, Barry. I wondered if it was possible to make a pole awning that stayed on the trailer. It sounds like yours has a very good setup.

[CaptainJones]

Attached are a couple of pictures of the vinyl beaded welt that you sew your material to. This then is what slides into the rail.

this link Vinyl Beaded Welt, Rope, Ropes and Cords, Embossed Welt Style #180, Hidem Welt - Vinyl from Rochford Supply - Your Online Textile and Upholstery Superstore!#

will show you what you need. The cost is .88 a foot minimum 20 ft. IF you buy 100 ft. it drops to .38, but who needs 100 ft.

Greg