Date:         Tue, 1 Jun 2004 21:08:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Rob Campbell <rob@PHEMP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rob Campbell <rob@PHEMP.COM>
Subject:      "Eazy Awning" from busdepot.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hello-

I recently received the new awning from busdepot.  Let me say that I am
not disappointed, yet, and am not unhappy with the service from
busdepot, yet.  I've tried to contact them via email and phone, but have
not been able to get through (lots of busy signals) so I'm hoping anyone
else who has ordered one can answer this more quickly.

In general, I am happy with this kit, mainly because I didn't want to
mount a "box" to the exterior of my van (as the Fiamma and Shadyboy
styles use).  I like that the awning, being self contained and external,
can be left at home.  Its pretty heavy, and somewhat large, so when not
needed, its great to keep it at home.  It just fits on the ledge behind
the AC vent in the back (though the van has a warning about keeping this
ledge clear when AC is used), or under the bench seat in back.

The awning came with no instructions.  This is annoying, but
understandable, it seems simple enough.  I thought I understood how all
the pieces go together, but...

I don't see how it attaches to the rain gutter?  It seems that for a
vanagon (which I have) no suction cups or additional clamps are
required, I ordered the basic kit.  It comes with the awning fabric, the
tentpole-like cross braces which give the tarp its arched shape, rigid
metal poles for front and back edges of the awning, and legs, feet, and
extensions for the legs.  I found no additional clamps for attaching to
rain gutter.  I was wondering if the back edge pole just "pushes in" and
is expected to hold that way, but it didn't seem to work.  I could be
missing pieces, or I am missing something very obvious.  It was a real
disappointment on my recent attempt to try it out.  Between 3 moderately
intelligent adults, we couldn't understand how it is supposed to attach
to the van.

Again, I am not slamming the product or busdepot, I am sure there is a
simple answer.  I also understand busdepot is not able to answer the
phone as much as they would like to, and I will keep attempting to
contact them... but in the meantime, if anyone else has received this
product...  can you please explain:

1) is the kit suppose to have instructions?  the photos on the busdepot
website don't help a whole lot
2) are there supposed to be some pieces to attach it to the rain
gutter?  or does it just "press in"?
3) if it does just "press in", is there some technique required?  the
poles seemed too large to do this.

When I get this thing actually working right, I'll post some pics and
review.  It seems to be an otherwise great solution to the potentially
very expensive awning problem.

thanks-