Date:         Wed, 1 Jun 2005 14:44:13 -0600
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: Bus Depot Awning
In-Reply-To:  <BAY22-F282FBAFF4C2B791C7B994ABA050@phx.gbl>
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On 6/1/05 1:38 PM, "joe trussell" <vanagongl@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> When I was shopping for a new awning, I saw a few posts in the archives on
> the Bus Depot Awning, but I figured we could use one more...
>
> Mine arrived yesterday.  I decided to go ahead and set it up in the front
> yard so I'd know what to do once we went camping.
>
> It's a heavy thing, and has many, many poles...The directions are a bit
> spare, but after messing around with it for a few minutes I figured out how
> it worked and got it together fairly quickly (ten minutes or so.)  I don't
> like the clamps...I was very surprised by the sheer size of the thing...The
> dome is much bigger inside that I thought from looking at the pictures on
> the Bus Depot site.
>
> We liked it so much attached to the van that my wife and I disassembled it
> (five or so minutes,) grabbed the daughter, the dog, and the supplies, and
> headed for the mountains for an overnight camping trip.
>
> We headed up to a State Park campground and began assembly.  With both of us
> putting it together, it was a very fast process.  It is a bit clumsy to get
> it up onto the side of the van after assembling upside down, but not a big
> deal.
>
> About the same time we got it up and set, a nice, windy hailstorm came
> along...I'm happy to report that the awning hung in there very, very well.
> It's of sturdy construction and didn't flap, blow, nothing.  I did stake the
> legs into the ground.  The way the thing is designed, with very sturdy poles
> across the front and rear, make it pretty tough apparently.
>
> While it isn't as convenient as having an awning that will pull out in a few
> seconds, it is great for setting up a campsite, and breakfast in the shade
> this morning was fantastic.
>
> For under $200, I think it's an awesome deal.  Can't wait to use it again!
>
> Here are a few pics...I apologize that they're a little dark; this is right
> after setup last night:
>
> http://photos.yahoo.com/joetrussell
>
> Joe T.
> Denver, CO
> '85 Wolfsburg Westfalia
I have found awnings to be one of those items that make good sense to own
for people with families or more than one traveler in the van.
For my own uses I bought one of the bus depot drive away nylon tents a
couple years back.  I use it for longer stays at places when I haul some
heavier stuff with me.   Had an oops last time I had it up though and am
trying to locate the bungee cord stuff used inside the poles.
jimt