FWIW, my awnings had 4-5 snaps across the top. My old trailer was a 63 Globe trotter that is in the vintageairstream archive - don't know if you can see the snaps or not - Its been a long time since I looked at the pictures. Anyway Zip Dee made the main awning, one that covered the side then those snap-on ones for each end. Really looked cool when all were on.
I like the window shade idea's. We may have to do something like that.
I have been looking at some of the awnings available and one thing that gets me is most that I have found are only 8 ft out from the camper. That just doesn't seem like enough once you get a picnic table under there. No room to walk on the trailer side. No room to swing the door. In a rain the seats on the outside are likly to get wet.
I have a 11.5x11.5 cannope I use when camping with the redneck special and it is a decent size. Plenty of room to walk around the table.
I think I'll hit a couple of the boat top shops near me and see what they can do. Our existing rail is 12ft. I'd like about 12ft out from the camper. Screen room seems a hassle to me but I'll probably get a quote.
I like the strap idea where it could be rolled up and left on the camper. That would make setting up a breeze. Then just remove when the trailer is not used so that it doesn't get mildew.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
There are a number of factors that play into the size of the "automatic roll-up awnings". One of the most important is the bulk and related weight of the awning when retracted - - as the size the of the roll increases the awning arms would also be forced further into the wind currents around the trailer when being towed - - and the length of the awning arms when extended also plays a role in the maximum size of the awning. The awning also tends to be a large sail if left open during windy conditions - - and even the standard sized awning can rock the trailer in a gust of wind (not only can the awning rock the trailer - - this mostion can also loosen the awning rail creating another potential leak location) - - any larger and the effect could be even greater. It has been my experience that most awnings are not intended to be left deployed during rain storms - - they collect rain and even when one arm is lowered to facilitate run-off there is a significant danger of damage to the awning by a combination of the weight of water from a heavy downpour as well as the potential for damage from winds that often accompany a rain storm. In fact, the SunBrella fabric is not entirely water proof - - water does tend to drip through once the fabric is drenched. Typical spacing of campsites, especially for a coach used at rallys also has some influence on awning size - - at a WBCCI rally, the coaches are often parked spaced such that a standard awning can be fully opened on each coach.
There is one thing to bear in mind when considering one of the "bag-type awnings". If you intend to polish your coach, the movement of the bag while traveling down the road will abrade the finish - - and if you have the coach Plasticoated the coating will quickly be damaged by a combination of abrasion and trapped moisture. On many of the Vintage coaches, when a pole-type awning was used with the trailer, you would find two storage tubes mounted to the underbelly - - one for the poles and one for the awning fabric - - this offered a solution that avoided potential damage to the finish yet kept the awning with the trailer at all times.
Good luck with your decision process! There certainly isn't a lack of methods to approach the situation.
Kevin
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Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
Shari, I know exactly what you are talking about as I plan to make one myself. I was lucky to see an original awning that did not require guy wires at a rally recently, and another that a very clever guy made of the same type. He explained how they are made. I shall try to get the picture of the original and discribe to you how to make one.
Sue
__________________
just lookin for John Wayne
Martin and O'Brien
FWIW = for what its worth......ya know more computer talk.....I have to admit I still cannot figure out LOL - I saw it defined a while ago, but have not got it in my head - to me its laugh out loud, but I've seen it where that does not make sense - oh well....
Anyway only the front and back had snaps - curbside and street side had an awning rail...
I sewed up awnings for the streetside windows last night. The fabric was about 3 inches wider than the windows, so there was a little to fold over each side. I cut it about 8 inches longer than the window, hemmed it top and bottom, and then folded the bottom so it fit tight to the window and made a pocket for the bottom of the window to slip into, and sewed that fold. The rest just hangs down like a fringe. I don't want to risk breaking the window with clips, so I'm trying to hold the edges on with just a piece of plastic tubing split lengthwise, and slid onto the edge. I've got them on now to see if they blow off. I'm pretty happy with the way they look. If I ever get a sewing machine I might do it again but make it fancier, but that was about all the hand sewing I could handle. Actually, this is the only sewing I've ever done, except occasionally putting a button back on.
Now I just need to make a small one for the kitchen window and a big one for the bathroom.
They look great!. If you want to make them truly blow proof you might want to try some elastic and a shirt snap kit from the fabric store. Run Elastic from the top (sewn) to the bottom pocket edge and put a snap here. That way you can slip it on and snap it. If you get a big wind the material will move, elastic will strech and then it will go back into place without being able to work itself off.
Just my $.02 worth
__________________ Brett G WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
Very nice, Stephanie, they look fantastic.
I did'nt need another project idea rattling around inside this head, but there ya go. Thanks for the pics.
Bob
Great looking awnings! Clever. Now I just need to decide what fabric to use. I made an awning for a friend with a Silver Streak using bead rope and waterproofed canvas. It really stressed my little sewing machine but it looked good. Thanks for sharing your job Stephanie.
Hi all...
I have such a great love for Zip Dees, I just think they're incredibly nice and easy to operate. I had an A+E last year on an Overlander that I traveled through Europe in, and it was OK, but just barely OK...
I know I can't afford to put Zip Dees on everything in my "fleet" and have been trying to figure out a way to get the kind of vintage look that preceeded the ZD's, and affordably. I don't even think the ZD's would look right on my spartans, so I have to find a different way.
Every decent sized city in the US has an awning or canvas company- here I'm really fortunate- we have a hundred that serve the yachting industry, and its pretty inexpensive to have a piece made to my specs. You can go to Sunbrella's website, and figure out who distributes close to you, and ask them who can sew to your specs. I'm going to try a twist on mine- a sleeve for an aluminum rail at the outer top edge for rigidity, and to that I'll connect the upright supports, and a rail on both sides that will have a small piece of aluminum rod- same size as the bead that slips into the rail mounted on the top of the trailer. It will form sort of an upside down "L" and will give support both vertically for lift and horizontally for stand off strength.
I get to see all the little tricks they use in Europe, and while I'm happy with sun protection only, they have a zip on screen room, and it adds a whole lot more space, with not only screens but plastic windows for chilly nights. They eat there and its like having an additional room that is almost the same size as the trailer. They usually stay in one place for a week or 2 though, and it takes a bit of time to set the whole thing up. Maybe it appeals to someone here?
Last edited by trailertrash; 08-02-2003 at 11:32 AM.
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