Jason posted a couple of weeks ago (post #66) and he sounds happy with his Canvas Replacement awning. Unfortunately, I called them a couple of weeks ago...and got nowhere with them. They gave me the names of two local distributors...and I got absolutely nowhere with them either. All they wanted to do was 'sell me' on a bag-type awning or Trimline...they were not at all interested in selling the Canvas Replacement product, they gave me the impression that they would rather sell anything else...at least here in Denver. Even when I suggested to them it wasn't a cost thing (at the time) it was the look I was after...they were both very uninterested in helping me find what I am looking for. Must be a regional thing, both our local distributors were really, really bad.
That's when I went to the yellow pages and started calling around. Referral after referral, I finally found someone (post #83) who was willing to make what I want for a fair price. Then my fridge went out...so until it's fixed, the awning is on hold.
Then out of the blue last week, Forrest gave me a call one afternoon and said he discovered an old vinyl awning in his 'new-to-him' '67 Overlander that might just do the trick for Maxwell! It is 8'x10', has scallops (no fringe) and it's a perfect fit for our GlobeTrotter...it's even shades of aqua/turquoise! We got some poles at REI and used it this last weekend and it worked like a charm! Gotta find a picture...or take one next weekend when we go out ~
Sure enough, it's just about perfect...it'll definately let us see if we like the pole-type awning & see how much trouble it is to set-up/take-down and save our pennies for the 'long-term' canvas solution.
BTW...it was super easy to install, even on our first try! Looks great...we may even use it a couple of years...we'll see!
Thanks Forrest...you're the best!!!
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Here's a couple of pics of our 'new' awning. We were in Cheyenne, WY this weekend and typical...it was HOT & windy! We we very happy to have the awning, although we had to take it down when the late afternoon gusts came through...but so did the ZipDee folks...one M/H's tore off the frame, no one in our group though!
Thanks again Forrest..we love it!
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Lookin' good, Shari! Forrest is an alright-guy for setting you guys up with that - it looks fantastic! I'm looking forward to taking a closer look at it at the VAC rally. Maybe when I come home I'll finally dig in and sew mine up. I've got the canvas, I just need to get to it.
Shari,
Love your long awaited vintage awning and how cool to get it from Forrest!
Just a couple of questions about the mechanics because it's pretty much just what I want. It looks like just 3 poles with guy wires and one across the back end by the trailer. Is this right?
I would like to order the poles from REI if so since we dont have one around here. Do you know the part numbers? Also how is it attached to the trailer? I have some things that look like "eyes" on my trailer. I assume that this is what they are for.
Thanks, Heidi
Shari,
Love your long awaited vintage awning and how cool to get it from Forrest!
Just a couple of questions about the mechanics because it's pretty much just what I want. It looks like just 3 poles with guy wires and one across the back end by the trailer. Is this right?
I would like to order the poles from REI if so since we dont have one around here. Do you know the part numbers? Also how is it attached to the trailer? I have some things that look like "eyes" on my trailer. I assume that this is what they are for.
Thanks, Heidi
We use three poles along the front & five guy lines, stakes and tensioners - two on each corner & one in the center. We got them all and the 1/8" nylon rope from REI. Here are links to the REI website with exactly what we got:
There are no poles at the trailer, the wind was just blowing and the awning was a bit 'kinked'. It attaches to the trailer with an extruded plastic cord. Some use rope or have the fabric wrapped around it, ours just has the exposed plastic cord. Works great!
Even with the wind...it didn't take any longer to set-up or take down than the Zip Dees our neighbors had.
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
As you know, I am preparing to make a DIY awning, but I do have some questions. It looks like there are lateral support poles. I have copied one of your photos for some questions:
1. Are there lateral support poles (Poles A-D in the photo)?
2. Is there a rope welting (piping) to hold the awning in the channel?
3. What is involved in getting the awning connected to the trailer? Do you need a ladder?
4. Are the lateral support poles tensioned? If so, how?
5. How deep is it (distance from trailer to outer edge)?
The picture is too small to read your notes...but I think I get what you're asking.
There are only the three vertical poles...no intermediates on ours. The awning itself is basically a flat piece of 8'x10' (10' along trailer) 'fabric' with a scalloped edge & a 5-6" vertical seam at the two outside corners to form the valance. There are no other seams on ours along the edges (or valance) only a plastic extruded 'piping' that fits into the awning channel. The saggy crease just out from the trailer is because the wind was blowing and the guy lines had slacked a bit. Post #105 above shows all the pieces (and links to where I got them) there are, 3-poles, 5-stakes, 5-tensioners & about 90' of rope.
We do use a small step stool to feed the welt into the awning channel, but it slides in pretty easily, just need that extra 12-18" step.
Hope this helps...
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
In Calistoga I saw all kinds of awnings, and several had extra poles in the fabric to help keep it stiff, but they were unnecessary, in my opinion. There were many awnings, even large ones, that only had the verticle poles holding them up and held them up just fine, as long as the guylines were tight.
I have also seen pictures of someone who has a slightly taller center pole, so the awning is angled up in the center like a boy scout tent, so rain will drain off and not puddle on the awning. Obviously they live in the NW!
I came into this thread a bit late but I had a thought about your window awnings. Could you perhaps attach them to the window at the top by adding a strip of elastic band from side to side that would go under the window? If the elastic was permanently attached at both sides then you would install the awning by slipping it over the window sort of like putting a pillow case on a pillow.
Shari,
Thanks for the exact info-links and all! I'm thinking that I may make the canvas part myself or have it sewn at an awning co. here. Seems easy. Do you think that the increased weight of the canvas (over vinyl) would still hold up with the setup you have? Also I just have 2 eyes sticking out on the trailer-I guess I'll just tie it on. Sounds like you have something different.
Heidi
Thanks for the exact info-links and all! I'm thinking that I may make the canvas part myself or have it sewn at an awning co. here. Seems easy. Do you think that the increased weight of the canvas (over vinyl) would still hold up with the setup you have?
I don't think the canvas will weigh much more...this is pretty heavy vinyl, the kind with fabric mesh in it, not the flimsy kind.
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Also I just have 2 eyes sticking out on the trailer-I guess I'll just tie it on. Sounds like you have something different.
You're right, I have an extruded aluminum awning rail instead of the hooks...maybe the Caravels didn't have the rail as a standard item, I don't know...
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Yessiree! That's exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks for the quick reply--sorry about the picture--I'm still trying to figure out the scaling issues for posting pics.
Quick Links
They gave me the names of two local distributors...and I got absolutely nowhere with them either. All they wanted to do was 'sell me' on a bag-type awning or Trimline...they were not at all interested in selling the Canvas Replacement product, they gave me the impression that they would rather sell anything else...at least here in Denver. Even when I suggested to them it wasn't a cost thing (at the time) it was the look I was after...they were both very uninterested in helping me find what I am looking for. Must be a regional thing, both our local distributors were really, really bad. 
We got some poles at REI and used it this last weekend and it worked like a charm! Gotta find a picture...or take one next weekend when we go out ~
Yeah...Forrest is terrific! 
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