Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 05:31:12 +0000
Reply-To: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Awning Recomendations?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I have decided to sell my Westy side tent, and get an awning. For a single
person, it seems more practical, because the side tent is sort of hard to
put up by yourself.
So, looking around I have found six awnings that might work for my '87
Westfalia, by Shady Boy, Dometic and Carefree.
They fall into four groups, fiberglass pole support, (Shady Boy) , roller
with spring return (Dometic), manual roll-up (Fiama and Carefree) and crank
out (Fiama and Carefree)
Prices range from about $300 for the manual rollup models to $600 + for the
crankout. Shady Boy is about $350 (??) and I can't find a price on the
Dometic. Campingworld doesn't have it on their web site. Anyone know where
you can get them anymore?
I have listed the models, with their advantages and disadvantages as I see
it. If you have used one, I would love to get your opinion, keeping in mind
that it has to be easy for one person to use.
Shady Boy $350?? Advantages: Small, lightweight container, few moving
parts, looks neat, one person can easily set up
Disadvantages: Manual set up and takedown, must be fully extended to
use, requires guy ropes for any wind
Catalina 2500 (Dometic) $??? Advantages: Spring assisted rollup, can be
extended any amount
Disadvantages: Heavy tube attached to van
Fiama F35 $300+ Advantages: Low price
Disadvantages: Manual rollup, must be extended full amount to use,
difficult for one person to setup
Fiama F45 $600 Advantages: Can be extended any amount, easy crank out or in
Disadvantages: Price
Carefree Sidewinder II $300 Advantages: Low price
Disadvantages: Manual rollup, must be extended full amount to use,
difficult for one person to setup
Carefree Freedom II $600+ Advantages: Can be extended any amount, easy crank
out or in
Disadvantages: Price
Web Sites -
http://www.fiamma.com/
http://www.shadyboy.com/
http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/
PS - if you are interested in a nice side-tent, let me know!
Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, ID
Mike Finkbiner
mike_l_f@hotmail.com
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