Date:         Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:16:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: New Westy owner with a few questions
In-Reply-To:  <20110428143704.GDVRB.270285.imail@eastrmwml47>
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> Others may be more demanding of something looking professional or whatever,
> and may be more worried about it falling down in a storm than I am.  It
> works great for me, and like other things I use when camping, I feel good
> about it because I did not buy an expensive (and often less functional and
> less durable, though maybe not in this case) item.  I have shade and
> protection from light to moderate rain.
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > >>The popular choice for awnings and the easiest to get by with is a
> regular
> > >>easy-up.
>

  I'll second the EZ up as a simple  effective and inexpensive (if you find
one on sale) solution for shade and some rain protection.  And, if you dare,
you can leave it up in your camp if you have to move the van around or go
somewhere.  Better to push the corners together when you leave, however.

  The one like Dave made...good, too.

 Fancy ones with a case that mounts on the side of the vehicle?  Those are
all right, but they are no better in a sudden gust of wind than any other
set up.  I've been around trailer and RV awnings for many years in lots of
situations and none of them will withstand a sudden thunderstorm or a big
wind...They just plain won't...and if perhaps one does for a while....you
will just be waiting for it to blow up....That is how they usually
self-destruct...they catch wind under and blow back over the vehicle,
bending or breaking all the extension arms and attachments.
  If you have an expensive fancy one that destroys itself...you won't be
pleased.  If you have a home made inexpensive one self-destruct, it won't
bother you so much.   About once a week, I see the remains of an awning off
an RV alongside Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge...They get blown
off the RVs as they drive into the Gorge winds.
  We have lost 3 awnings of the type that mount on the side of rigs over our
years of camping ...Granted, we spend 4 months camping in Mexico or lately
in the SW US each year and many summer weekends in various campers at
events...
  I have also found, over the years, that none of the awnings I have ever
tried are 'simple' to set up.  Some are acceptable, but it only takes one
good blow or one over enthusiastic helper to bend or bind the normally
cheezy hardware somehow...and then they become difficult to erect and or to
put away.

  In the perfect camp on a nice day..a spiffy awning is quite attractive and
desirable..too bad most camps aren't perfect and there are a lot of gnarly
days.
  Don Hanson