Date:         Sat, 14 Apr 2001 10:54:53 -0700
Reply-To:     PSavage <psavage@SABER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         PSavage <psavage@SABER.NET>
Subject:      ShadyBoy Awning:  Acid Test Report
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

My ShadyBoy was used, on & off, for much of
my recent 4 month trip to mainland Mexico.
Many of you have requested a report, so here 'tis:

What I like about the awning:
*Good looks
*Easy installation
*Ease & quickness of set-up: takes five minutes top!
*Good coverage, which adds usable living space
 around the van while camped.

Drawbacks:
*Awning does not hold up in a stiff breeze--
even with tiedowns attached.
Worse, a stiff breeze, especially if gusting, drives the outer edge up &
down, making it useless to hang out under.

*Awning cannot be left up unattended.
This becomes a bother.  Putting awning away takes more time than putting it
up.  When a wind comes up, taking it down is frustrating & more time
consuming.

 *The unreinforced pockets (that hold pole ends)     began to tear early on
in use, as did the stitching
holding the fabric to the sliding track.
This could be remedied by reinforcement.

*The nylon tie downs are helpful, but their attachment
position on the poles could be improved, as gusting
wind puts upward pressure on the middle of the awning's leading edge.

*The spring, holding the aluminum housing cover in
the up position when awning is in use, failed on the
first day of awning use.  It broke loose from it's
mounting--& even when replaced to the best of my ability, still does not
hold the housing cover up off the awning as it should--causing chaffing to
the awning fabric.

*The velcro tabs, used to hold the folded awning in place while rolling up
for putting away, were mounted
to the aluminum housing with just the sticky back &
failed immediately, necessitating a re-glue using barge
cement.
Note:  All of these failures occured within the first
few days of awing use.

Since there is SO much I do like about the design of
this awning  (& since I have mounted it to my van with
thru-body screw holes), I intend working with this gear
& with Wolfgang, the designer, to see if I can't correct
it's problems.

I intend to attempt a modification which will involve
sewing a sleeve along the awning's leading edge which
will hold a small, strong, batten.  Perhaps a bamboo pole, which is strong,
but light.  This, I hope, will allow use of the awning in the wind.  I will
also, perhaps,
install two metal grommets on the ends of the leading
edge pocket to receive upright poles, for added stiffness.

This awning gives a lot of shad/rain/salt mist coverage
for the space/weight it takes up, which is wonderful.
But when a gusting breeze drives the leading edge
up & down rapidly it can be a hazzard to one's eyes.

Do I regret having bought/installed the ShadyBoy?
Not at all!
And Wolfgang is a first rate person to deal with &
anxious to please.  He tells me that since I bought
mine he has made some design changes.  He values
user feedback & when I suggested that he improve
his system for coding the fiberglasss poles, he did it
quickly.  I cannot recommend him more highly.
Hope this helps, volks!
Phaedra

Contact Wolfgang at:
shadyboy@shadyboy.com