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.
Malcolm
Yes, in fact I saw several at Calistoga done like that. Looked like they stayed on just fine. They used wide elastic, and I think the ones I looked at closely had one elastic band near the top and another near the bottom.
Heidi, my Caravel has an awning rail, but I think the PO installed it.
I just have 2 eyes sticking out on the trailer-I guess I'll just tie it on.
There's a place in Denver called Cherokee RV, it's a salvage yard, and they have awning rails. I'll bet there's someplace near you similar...or maybe Camping World or AS dealler can get one if the eyes/ties don't work.
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
There's a place in Denver called Cherokee RV, it's a salvage yard, and they have awning rails. I'll bet there's someplace near you similar...or maybe Camping World or AS dealler can get one if the eyes/ties don't work.
Shari
Awning rail is a part that is not unique to Airstream, but it may be white or colonial white if sourced from someone other than an Airstream dealer. When my Airstream dealer installed new Zip Dee window awnings on the bathroom and bedroom windows of my Overlander, I learned that it is a normally stocked part in their service department.
Good luck with your awning project!
Kevin
__________________
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)
Nice photos Shari! Again, we are just happy you could use it. I need to read the forums more often though, my ears are burning!
Here's a photo I took while lounging under my Zip Dee in the Sand Dunes National Monument last week. It was pretty windy, with gusts to 25 mph, and if you'll look carefully at the photo, you'll see that I used a rope tie-down to stabilize the awning. The old fashion, vintage, style has had that all along! So, I don't know that the vintage awnings are at any great disadvantage compared to the expense of a 'modern' one, eh?
__________________ Forrest McClure WBCCI #2671 Unit Past President Unit Trustee VAC Librarian TCT member TAC #CO-5
Thanks to all who provided info on the awning rail. Still trying to figure out how they work. We're going camping this weekend and usually see 1-2 AS. Maybe I'll see an awning rail.
Now for the big question-if those eyes are not for an awning what are they for? They are in just the right place for an awning-2 eyes sticking out of the trailer. Seems like you could just hook an awning to them but rain will go through. I'll try to post a pic when I get home.
Heidi
It could have been a previous owners response to not having an awning rail. I'd think an awning rail would be better, because it would spread out the stress of being tugged on by the wind over a larger area, with more rivets supporting it. Not saying your won't work though. Can't wait to see the picture of what you have.
Although we used the awning Forrest gave us last year and loved it, we finally got the awning of my dreams! It's custom made by TCT & A Industries out of Twin City, IL out of Sunbrella fabric. I also ordered extra fabric to make window awnings out of...maybe I will finish them tomorrow and snap a few shots to post.
The coordinating ZipDee chairs are on order...we're stylin' now!
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Nice looking awning. Suits you guys and your lovely trailer to a 'T'. Once you get the chairs, you'll have to post another picture.
FF
Thanks Brad...I'll post again when I get the chairs in & window awnings on. Unfortunately, we are supposed to get about a foot of snow tomorrow (we'll see!) so it probably won't be until next week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
That is REALLY nice. Do you mind telling how much is cost?
Well, there really are a lot of variables Don...we had the poles & stakes we used with the vinyl awning Forrest gave us, so we didn't have to buy those this time. The fabric we got our hearts set on over a year ago was discontinued Jan 1st, so we had to pay a 20% upcharge to get it now. But we had to have aqua!!! Even still, I felt it was a fair price and much less than a ZipDee...besides, it has the vintage look we were after. Ours is 9' wide with an 8' projection and it was $360 (including the 20% upcharge for the discontinued fabric). The extra 5 yards of fabric for the window awnings, awning bag & pole bag, which I am making came to $170 for a total of $530.
I am very pleased with TCT&A's quality of work and there timeliness...I ordered it on a Thursday and had it in my hands by the next Friday! They quoted three weeks, but got it to me in eight days...I was shocked!
That's wonderful, Shari! I'm still going to make a pole awning for mine as soon as I finish the restoration. I have the material, I just need to sew it up, add grommits and poles. Yours looks great.
Is there a pattern for awnings somewhere? Or do you just measure out the sq footage and attach it to the cording, eye ball where the grommits go, etc?
I haven't seen an official pattern...it's just a matter of 'figuring it out', which is why I bought one instead! I DO sew, but I thought this would too much to handle from scratch...however, now having one and seeing how it's put together, I would attempt to make my next one.
I just didn't want to risk the cost of yardage to attempt making one then screw it up and have to buy one anyways...now I have a pattern for the next one.
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002