Vintage awnings

[seldencove]

Its time for a new awning for our 63 ambassador. I have decided to buy the rope and pole awning, but I would like to hear from those of you who have one about how hard or easy they are to slide them in the track and get set up.
My awning would be 18' long, the short ones seem to be easy, but how about these big ones. thanks

[wkerfoot]

We have a rope and pole awning on our Liner, it is 19 feet long. Setting it up is definitely a two person job. One must feed the awning into the rail while the other pulls it down the rail. Removing is a one person job, but it is much easier to fold with two or more. We have four poles with two ropes on each pole. The person feeding must either be tall or stand on a stool to have the awning slide into the rail.

Bill

Originally Posted by seldencove

Its time for a new awning for our 63 ambassador. I have decided to buy the rope and pole awning, but I would like to hear from those of you who have one about how hard or easy they are to slide them in the track and get set up.
My awning would be 18' long, the short ones seem to be easy, but how about these big ones. thanks

[moparjohn]

We had a pop up camper when we were young, it had an awning that used poles to support it. The awning was kept in a "pouch bag" that was fitted in the awning track. It then rolled out of the "bag" for set up. The awning was sewn in to the bag (permanetly) the bag just zippered shut after rolling the awning in it. I would think having the awning attached to the trailer would make this style of awning easier for set up/down. Also it makes it automaticallly stored on the trailer out of the way. Hope this might help you. MPJ

[LHall]

Originally Posted by seldencove

Its time for a new awning for our 63 ambassador. I have decided to buy the rope and pole awning, but I would like to hear from those of you who have one about how hard or easy they are to slide them in the track and get set up.
My awning would be 18' long, the short ones seem to be easy, but how about these big ones. thanks

We made an awning for our 62 Ambassador and it is not that bad to feed into the rail you will need a ladder for the front while someone else pulls the awning. We attached a pulling grommet that we can put a hook on the end of a pole into to help with the pulling. Here is a recent photo of our trailer and awning.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by seldencove

Its time for a new awning for our 63 ambassador. I have decided to buy the rope and pole awning, but I would like to hear from those of you who have one about how hard or easy they are to slide them in the track and get set up.
My awning would be 18' long, the short ones seem to be easy, but how about these big ones. thanks

I have a 17 foot 66 Caravel that I purchased a pole awning from Vintage Trailer Supply. Although not as long as you talk about - it still needs a 2 person team to install. You do not want the plastic welt that slides into the groove on the trailer to get to a large angle and catch or tear the canvas and cause excessive wear on the material. In any case, I have installed it alone but took my time.

They make a very good quality product.

[Jim Foster]

If you are not excited about needing two in order to put the awning out, you might consider a roll up awning lik a Zip Dee. The Sunbrella fabric they use comes in about 150 patterns, many of which are used for the vintage rope style awnings.
You can put the awning out by yourself in a jiffy, then detach the arms from the side of the trailer, move them out to a vertical position, and then if you wish, tie the ends of the awning roller to the ground with a rope to get that vintage look. When the wind comes up, you can roll it back up by yourself.
The awning also becomes self-storing.
Just a thought.

[seldencove]

Thank you all for your comments and advice, I am going to go ahead and order one from vintage trailer.
LHall, great picture, thanks.

[PINKBIKE]

check out Kristi foster on the air forums here, great price and seems to be very well made !

[batman]

I have a 64 safari that came with what I would say is the original Rope and canvas awning. It is easy to put up with two people and a step ladder. Mine is 12' and has 3 removable sides and a skirt that snaps to the trailer to make a full room. The sides and front canvas panels have screen backing and the canvas unzips to become a screened room. I think its rather unique. Here are some photo's.

[seldencove]

Batman
you have an awesome awning. looks to be a ridgid pole awning. Your lucky to have it. The pictures are very helpfull on how to go about sliding it into the track.Thank you very much....

[bobberfrog]

here is a site that sells the vintage awning. i am looking at getting one for my 79 argosy.
vintage_trailer_awning
Marti's Awnings

[Grand Master]

I grew up Airstreaming and my Dad's favorite AS was his '62 Overlander. He had three different awnings on that trailer during his period of ownership (12 years).

Posted below are pictures of the vintage pole awning, a Carefree awning, and the ZipDee. There is no comparison. The ZipDee wins hands down. After a brief trial period with the Carefree awning on his '74 he went back to the ZipDee. He had a ZipDee on his next 4 Airstreams.

If you want to go to Vintage Events and look cool, then the pole awnings are cool but they are a pain in the neck to put up and store. If you want to travel and use your awning regularly, then the ZipDee is the way to go.

[safari62]

Originally Posted by Grand Master

I grew up Airstreaming and my Dad's favorite AS was his '62 Overlander. He had three different awnings on that trailer during his period of ownership (12 years).

Grand Master.....I, I, can't take it anymore.....a 62' Overlander, a 64' Caddy and a red Vespa nestled under the pole awning...sigh.....

Just when I think I'm over my uncontrollable lust for vintage photos you come up with another classic. Wally Byam and your Father were so far ahead of their time when it came to travelling in style!

[batman]

Seldoncove thanks. Got lucky with that one. Also notice the curb side single window cover. Metal clips and a spring across the top and bottom hem. This alows you to position the hem up or down for light or privacy. They are nice to have on the road side windows. The windows open and close freely. I think these would be easy for some one to duplicate. I can take better photo's and measurements if anyone is interested.
GM, I love the vintage pics.

[Kristi Foster]

I would like to see a close up picture of the window awning and how it attaches to the window frame. I will soon be making some window awnings, for a couple of vintage Airstreams, and might like to try out that idea as an option. Thanks, Kristi

[batman]

Kristy, You have a great site.

I hope you can use them here are some more photo's showing the clips and how they attach to the window. I am wondering if we could find these clips. Maybe some here may know.

[PINKBIKE]

Kristi is in the process of making an awning for our 1963 Sovereign,and I just may have to add a few of those window covers into the mix,let's hope she can figure out how to make those awesome covers !!

[Kristi Foster]

Batman's pictures of his original clip on vintage trailer window awning inspired me to create a modern version. I used Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric, marine grade tension cord, zinc plated hardware and #69 Nylon thread, for weather resistant window awnings.The pictures show the progress I am making replicating his original window cover plus converting my own vintage trailer window awning design into a clip on variety. The results of this joint effort may be, as Rollerboy stated, the latest thing in Airstream Fashion.

[Kristi Foster]

I have also been busy experimenting with vintage trailer window awnings for the crank out Jalousie style of Hehr window. The fun, novelty, slip on variety or the functional clip on variety, with which the window can close.

[batman]

Kristy,
They look fantastic. I like the trim options. I will PM you soon with our fabric and trim choices. great job...
Dennis