Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 23:05:54 -0400
Reply-To: Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Subject: Re: Shady Boy Awnings
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
> Hi Volks,
> Anybody out there had experience with Shady Boy Awnings for vanagons? How
> easy are they to set up and put away? How durable? How do they hold up in
> rain and wind?
> How do they compare to Fiamma or other brands?
> Any experience or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
Steve:
Got one last year after doing an archive search and looking at a couple of
installations at campouts and car shows. Overall, I am very pleased with
the ShadyBoy.
I opted for the extra reflective lining and do not regret it. The
attachment to the van requires drilling but it doesn't show through the
interior because of the positioning behind the upper slider door mechanism.
The poptop covers the mounts when the van is in motion; I have not seen any
leaking, even in heavy storms. The tie down straps are sufficient for
moderate winds but I would be inclined to "reef" the awning if high winds
were expected. The awning does luft in even a gentle breeze. I consider
this good as it does not allow rain to pool on it.
The small stowed away profile is a plus; all the stays and fabric rolls up
inside the hinged cover.. The freedom from legs/poles also makes it fairly
easy to setup. It seems more tent-like than most other awnings (which I
consider more appropriate for RVs or camping trailers). The awning, when
extended, covers most of the front door area back to about the middle of the
fixed window behind the sliding door. Out board corner tie downs can be
effected at the bumpers or to stakes in the ground.
Since I am about as far away from either source, I went directly to the
company after reviewing the below web site:
> http://www.shadyboy.com/vans/index.html
which is a West coast distributor for Equinox (tonight is the equinox!),
parent company of ShadyBoy.
I was treated very well by the owner...a German fellow who has a very strong
accent.
HTH
Stephen Steele*
Chillicothe OH
'91 Caravelle "Hans"
'87 Westy "Franz" with the ShadyBoy
'84 Westfalia "Fritz"
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U. Unknown future????
'90 Jetta GL 18yo Sons' "together" car.
'74 MGB My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
'91 Jetta Diesel My "new" daily driver
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written permission