If you can't find an Awning, make one

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If you can't find an Awning, make one

Postby UK-Corlett » Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:28 pm

Hi

Along with tow vehicles, awnings find there way onto the forum all the time. However I have not seen one I wanted to strap on my TD. So I made one and if you are going to make one it should realy be teardrop shape.

In the US I guess a fabric cover is needed to keep the sun off as much as the rain. Here in the UK (it rains here a lot) I wanted a small shelter for my boots and something to keep the rain off the door.

The fabric is ripstop nylon form a kit shop. It was a snip at £2.23/linear meter by 1.5m wide. (approx. $0.23 per sq. ft)
The curve is kept up with a segmented carbon fiber pole running in a long sock.

I got some Ally curtain track which is made so you can hang curtains from the ceiling. I cut off the side strip which you were supposed to fasten it up with, annealed the ally in the approved manner and screwed it to the side of the trailer.


If you look closely you will see it tapers from 42" wide on the curve to 22" wide by the door way.

I am busy making a small cover for the kitchen, for cooking in the rain. And a very small pocket handkerchief sized one for the door. This will have two uses. In the UK caravaning is more popular than camping and often its on concerted areas. ie no place for the pegs. Also I have been out with the TD and the conditions would have blown a full awning away.

See my album
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=14873

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Postby doug hodder » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:07 pm

Really a nice little addition Clive...I've been playing around with the nylon and making wind wings for the side of the galley hatch...sewing up curves in it is a real bear...did you use a temporary adheseive first to hold it in place then sew? Doug
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Postby Miriam C. » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:11 pm

:applause: :applause: :applause:
Clive that is a really great awning. I am going to have to give that some thought. :thumbsup:
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Postby b.bodemer » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:47 pm

WOW! Looks great. :applause: :applause: :applause:
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Postby UK-Corlett » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:42 pm

Hi Doug

No Glue or tape, just a lot of pins. There has not been a day with no wind which made it more difficult. There are a couple of pulls across the thing but nothing too bad.



My sewing machine is old and getting through up to 6 layers and reinforcing cord broke 12 machine needles.

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Postby Claw » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:30 pm

Clive,
Nice Job. :applause:
Adds a lot of privacy. The black color might be able to keep the space a bit warmer than the ambient air temp for those cool mornings.
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Postby Classic Finn » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:07 pm

Clive that is impressive... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :applause: :applause:

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Postby caseydog » Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:02 pm

I like it.

Question: Are the ropes really needed? I'd be tripping all over them.

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Postby Duane King » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:32 pm

That's very clever to follow the contour of your rig with the awning. I see the track in your photo. So you have to slide the canvas into the channel when you set up? Is this difficult?

I like the idea of keeping within the silhouette of the trailer. That way the trailer becomes the focus of attention to the casual observer. Nice idea. . .

Duane

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Postby sdtripper2 » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:39 pm

I always liked this side tent:

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Postby Classic Finn » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:42 pm

sdtripper2 wrote:I always liked this side tent:

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Now that is what IM going to make this summer too...I like it.. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: But more of a happier color though... ;)

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Postby UK-Corlett » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:01 pm

NO,

Sorry Duane, I can't talk to you or answer any of your questions.

No sir'ee bob. :thumbdown:

Clive

PS.
I have seen your kitchen today, and people who do too-good a job should not be allowed to post. I have just come in from the garage where I have been varnishing the wood which will be come my kitchen. It's a bit demoralising when after another 20 hours work it will not be able to hold a candle to yours.

The problem is I can't let my wife see it either, or she will have expectations beyond my ability and or pocket.

PPS
Hi, Duane, thanks for the kind words;

Actually loading the rail is easy, putting it up only takes a few minuets. When I shaped the rail, it folded in a bit and the gap narrowed. So I had to open it up again.

As you can see from my second posted photo the shape came about by playing with poles and string. Once I proved the idea the rest just took time and lots of thread.

All the other awnings I have seen are not sympathetic to the curves of the TD. This is not to blow my own trumpet or to get at any TD builder. Because as we all know just to get one on the road is a trial. BUT many people sweat and toil over beautiful details and attention to detail. Get to camp and pull over a toilet tent or reverse into a house tent. I just wanted more.
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Postby sdtripper2 » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:02 pm

"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country
is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." -------Theodore Roosevelt

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Postby UK-Corlett » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:11 pm

Hi Heikki, Steve

Proof a thing can be invented twice in two places.
However I must give provenance to the owner of this awning and dually doff my cap.

Clive
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Postby Claw » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:49 pm

UK-Corlett wrote:
All the other awnings I have seen are not sympathetic to the curves of the TD. This is not to blow my own trumpet or to get at any TD builder. Because as we all know just to get one on the road is a trial. BUT many people sweat and toil over beautiful details and attention to detail. Get to camp and pull over a toilet tent or reverse into a house tent. I just wanted more.


Well said, it is a challenge to find a complementing arrangement to keep off rain and bugs or provide that privacy inherently lacking in a TD while not detracting from the uniqueness of its shape or theme. Clive you have done a great job meeting that challenge.
JIM

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