Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 06:24:15 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject: Re: Awnings..
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Good point. I recall that the few times I left mine up it collected rain also, getting a bit full along the middle of the four edges. I bet you could get some kinda battens and with a bit of imagination figure a way to stick one up from each side to the peak of the canopy so that the rainwater would not collect. Four pieces of plastic or wood or aluminum stock would likely slip into the 'sock' type carrier bag these EZ-ups come in. I guess you get what you pay for..so they ain't perfect for everything, but for ~$100 on sale, (for the simple canopy without any extras) they work ok.
Don Hanson
----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen Grisanti
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM ; Don Hanson
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:22 PM
Subject: Re: Awnings..
The EZ-Up type you mention is what we bought on closeout last year and tried on our first trip this year. Fairly easy to set up and move around and very handy with its screen walls, but we left it up and were surprised by an overnight rain that collapsed it and broke the aluminum framework irreparably. The original Hummer awning setup we got on closeout from Sierra Trading Post still works okayishly but also collects rainwater, so the domed type is definitely the way to go and that may be what we try next .
Stephen
--- On Fri, 8/29/08, Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET> wrote:
From: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject: Awnings..
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 11:30 AM
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 withstandeveryweather situation you may encounter. We've spent about 15 extended winterscamping, in Baja, the desert southwest and the mountains and it seems everytime you decide.."It won't be windy today. I'll just leave theawning upwhile we go _______," a huge windstorm occurs and destroys your awning(only the awning if you are lucky, if you are unlucky, it sometimes wrecksyour vehicle or the one camped next to you) So my first requirement for any awning is that it is quick and easy todeploy or retract. I will no longer leave one up if I am gone, or when webed 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 polesthatdeploy into a square with a pointed
top. You can find these on sale foraround $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 thefour"legs" towards the middle and the whole deal folds up in about 20seconds.You should always take that 20 seconds to do so. I use some trucker bungees to attach the vehicle side legs to the van'swheels and weight down the other two legs with something else. Most ofthese EZ-ups have a "Half-mast" position, where you can lower thelegshalfway, 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 anotherperson,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 orunder the picnic table then walk the canopy over and use tie downs to secureit
to the table. Holds your campsite and keeps your gear dry if you take aside 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-84whichtraverses the Columbia River Gorge east/west, almost every day during thewindy season I see a few vehicles with their awnings blown partially open orpieces of awning alongside the freeway. Trusting some flimsy aluminum orplastic hook/latch to withstand what might be above hurricane force winds is'pushing it'...75mph vehicle speed + a 60+ headwind= 130mph apparentwind...not at all uncommon on interstate 84 here. We still have one awningon a pickup truck that I use a bicycle pedal foot strap to secure inaddition to the factory supplied latches. Don Hanson
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