Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:30:48 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject: Awnings..
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I've had a bunch of different ones on various vehicles. None of them are
"bomb-proof". You won't ever find an awning that can withstand every
weather situation you may encounter. We've spent about 15 extended winters
camping, in Baja, the desert southwest and the mountains and it seems every
time you decide.."It won't be windy today. I'll just leave the awning up
while we go _______," a huge windstorm occurs and destroys your awning
(only the awning if you are lucky, if you are unlucky, it sometimes wrecks
your vehicle or the one camped next to you)
So my first requirement for any awning is that it is quick and easy to
deploy or retract. I will no longer leave one up if I am gone, or when we
bed down at night.
Lately, I've been using those free-standing canopies that are called
"EZ-Ups". The kind with four legs and some accordion-style poles that
deploy into a square with a pointed top. You can find these on sale for
around $100, they come with a bag for storage and if you find the right one,
they aren't too awkward to carry along on trips. At night, you push the four
"legs" towards the middle and the whole deal folds up in about 20 seconds.
You should always take that 20 seconds to do so.
I use some trucker bungees to attach the vehicle side legs to the van's
wheels and weight down the other two legs with something else. Most of
these EZ-ups have a "Half-mast" position, where you can lower the legs
halfway, placing the canopy at about 4' off the ground, yet still deployed.
I've used this feature to cover my race car's cockpit. With another person,
you can also 'walk the canopy's where you need it. I use that 'half mast'
feature in forest service campsites to pile our chairs and coolers on or
under the picnic table then walk the canopy over and use tie downs to secure
it to the table. Holds your campsite and keeps your gear dry if you take a
side trip.
If you do have a vehicle mounted awning, it's a good idea to use a
'back-up' method to keep it closed when traveling. Living near I-84 which
traverses the Columbia River Gorge east/west, almost every day during the
windy season I see a few vehicles with their awnings blown partially open or
pieces of awning alongside the freeway. Trusting some flimsy aluminum or
plastic hook/latch to withstand what might be above hurricane force winds is
'pushing it'...75mph vehicle speed + a 60+ headwind= 130mph apparent
wind...not at all uncommon on interstate 84 here. We still have one awning
on a pickup truck that I use a bicycle pedal foot strap to secure in
addition to the factory supplied latches.
Don Hanson
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