Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 09:50:41 CST6CDT
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Dan Houg" <fairwind@northernnet.com>
Subject: Westy Tent Poles - roll yer own
After searching unsuccessfully for a looonng time for a set of the
"Y" poles for the Westy Bigtop tent I own, I finally got up the
gumption to fabricate a set. As it turns out, this was extremely
easy to do with some ready-made gazebo awning parts available
widely.
The gazebo parts are strong metal pipe connectors available in a
wide variety of configurations and angles. They are made to use 3/4"
metal electrical conduit and have wing-nut set screws for securing
the conduit. The connectors are, unfortunately, made in China but
seem stout and welded fairly well. They have a poor quality
aluminum colored paint finish that rubs off. I essentially
fabricated an entire top framework and used only the OEM adjustable
legs from the tent pole set. Even these would not be necessary as
pre-measured and cut conduit would work for these also.
Parts:
4 angled connectors for the corners with one leg canted to form a
peak. $4.99 each
2 ridge pole connectors, angled to match peak formed by corner
pieces. $3.99 each
"sufficient" 3/4 inch steel electrical conduit @ $2.99 per 10 foot
length. 4 - 5 foot sections are used to connect the ridge pole to
each side pole. the ridge pole and 2 side poles are made with 6+
foot lengths, I forget the exact measurement. so, in *theory* once
could get by with 5 - 10 foot lengths of conduit. I won't detail the
mistakes in cutting i made nor the amount extra i had to buy. :(
End-to-end connectors are available to allow any long section of
pole to be cut in half for easier storage. They are $1.99 each and
i did not use any of these as the poles store well in the bed of the
Westy.
Cutting of the conduit is easily accomplished using a copper-pipe
tubing cutter but plan on buying a new cutting wheel after doing the
steel conduit. The rotary cutter leaves a nice, burr-free edge with
the flashing rolled inward.
I've camped 5 nights now in this tent and the poles have withstood high
winds, pouring rain, and a good deal of sunshine :) Setup is quick
with the wingnut connectors and the poles in one piece configuration.
I think splitting the poles for easier storage would decrease their
strength and increase setup hassles.
-dan