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Date:         Tue, 26 May 2015 11:31:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Vickers <jeffrey@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Vickers <jeffrey@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Awning advice
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8


ShadyBoy for me. Easy to setup, although not as easy as a Fiamma. Much lighter than the Fiamma. No squeaking for me. Color-coding the poles is a big help especially if you don’t set it up all that often. The poles look similar to each other and it makes it much easier with color dots of paint (my method) or colored tape. 


All awnings need some kind of stake down or other insurance against the wind. Never leave your camp for a hike etc with your awning up or not staked down. I stake my ShadyBoy with short lengths of nylon cord straight down to the ground (along the vertical poles) to the ground . Works great and there are no diagonal cords to trip over. With no wind, its nice to have the ShadyBoy hovering there without any vertical poles. 



I just replaced my fabric - the new fabric is black inside and silver/reflective outside. Seems like better quality fabric than my previous version. 


Every awning has some kind of compromise. I would probably have a Fiamma if I used my awning more - they are super easy to set up. I might have a home-made rig if I set my awning up less - dragging out all the bits and setting it up is annoying (to me). The ShadyBoy is a little fiddly to set up but somewhere in between the Fiamma and home-brew for price and convenience.


Jeff




> On May 25, 2015, at 9:00 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
> Date:    Mon, 25 May 2015 17:48:35 -0700
> From:    Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
> Subject: Re: Awning advice
> 
> I'll add to the shady boy comments. Yup, using coloured tape on the Fibergla=
> s poles really helps the set up. The silver colour awning is cool but it doe=
> s show the dirt. I have taken the fabric off the aluminum and removed the st=
> iffening rod and hand washed it. I have a little bit of squeaking.
> Instead of tent pegs to anchor the guy lines ( and I have to use poles and g=
> uy lines all the time, seems to be always windy where we camp) we use smalli=
> sh sized fabric rice bags that have handles. Fill the bags with rocks and ti=
> e to guy lines. We very often camp on hard rocky ground and tent pegs just d=
> on't cut it.
> 
> Alistair
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