Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 13:27:56 -0700
Reply-To: Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Subject: Re: tarp clamps AND awning ideas
In-Reply-To: <3.0.6.32.19991015092809.00ba00a0@mailhost.statsci.com>
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>
> Can anyone recommend a cheap, non-damaging way to attach a tarp to the
> Vanagon drip rail, in order to make a cheap awning? I have in mind some
> sort of little C clamps or spring clamps. Thanks,
>
Hi Ken,
The text below is from a post I made to the list back in August. I have had
the chance to test out this setup in significant rain and it didn't leak
around the rail or anywhere else. One small diagram that I left out in the
original post that might make the setup below more clear is that when you
attach it to the rail like this : "XC<-" where X is the clamp, C is the PVC
pipe, < is the tarp, and - is the rail. Only the tarp comes in direct
contact with the rail so as long as you leave a few inches of tarp on the
end when you put the PVC pipe on so that the metal grommets on the tarp
aren't touching the van, it won't leave any marks.
When I want to cover the front window in the poptop I use a 5x7 tarp with
the 5' side attached by three or four clamps equally spaced across the front
highest-point end of the raised poptop roof (no PVC pipe used here). I then
use two rubber-tipped bungee cords hooked in at the bottom corners of the
tarp and attached to the front bumper at the corners below the headlights.
I use the rubber-tipped bungee cords because these will end up resting on
the body of the van and they hold the metal tarp gromments away from the
body (metal cords would scratch it). This setup allows you to keep the
poptop screen window open in heavy rain as long as it's not too windy
because the rain could still be blown in through the open sides. It's hard
to diagram here, but from the side it looks something like <\ where < is the
raised poptop and \ is the tarp.
Steve
-------- original post -----------
Here's an awning idea that I tried last night that seems to work well, is
easy to fabricate (especially if you have the proper tools), and doesn't
cost a lot. For under $1 I got a piece of 10 ft. long 1/2 inch white PVC
pipe. I cut it into four 2.5 feet sections. I then cut about a 1/3 to 1/2
inch section lengthwise out of each pipe section so that it now looks like a
"C" (I used a hacksaw for this which wasn't the easiest or quickest method
of cutting). I then took a 8' by 10' tarp ($7) and laid the 10 ft side on
top of the drip rail down the length of the passenger's side of the van and
placed the "C" of the PVC pipe section over the tarp onto the rail. It is
easier if you do this one section at a time. I then placed 2 small rubber
tipped clamps (the common silver with orange tips kind - $1.80 each) on each
section of PVC pipe (one at each end). I used these clamps because some
other clamps I had wanted to slide off the PVC pipe and these seemed to stay
in place well. The clamps hold down the PVC pipe onto the rail, and the PVC
pipe applies holding pressure to the tarp along the full length of the tarp.
A couple of poles on the opposite side corners hold the tarp up at that end,
and another pole in the middle can provide some added height if desired and
better rain drainage (I used a grommet kit to place a hole in the middle of
my tarp for this pole). For about $12 you should be able to pick up one of
those cheap dining fly kits along with poles, ropes, and stakes.
The whole setup goes on and off quickly and the PVC pipe provides a good
hold along the van-side tarp and it also eliminates any potential leakage
spots on that side. I was able to pull on the tarp from the opposite side
with a significant amount of force and the tarp did not budge). The whole
setup is compact and stores in the closet or under the rear seat. If this
holds up well over a few trips, I'm going to replace the cheapo tarp with a
ripstop nylon ($35 from REI) or possibly a canvas tarp. One day I hope to
get some mosquito netting material and enclose the whole setup using a
combination of velcro and magnets so that I will have a cheapo screen room.
Apologies in advance to those have had heard this before.
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