Awnings on your van?

[BigAl]

My buddy James convinced me I should make a side awning for the Alstro. Have any of you guys made an awning? I am most interested in how it attaches to the van. I have found awning track online, I think I want a track so that rain cannot blow between the roof and the awning. I am also looking for a 5x8'ish awning. Any one know vendor? I'm considering making the awning also. What have you guys seen/done? I don't want to just rig up a plastic tarp.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

I don't know your price range, but I have been super happy with the arb awning. I think you can find then around 220 bucks. Simple, rugged, easy to mount.

 

[loren85022]

I saw this awning for sale on CL just before I read you question.

 

[Herbie]

I have an older "Norseman Apollo" awning I got with my GTRV donor van and transplanted to my Astro along with the pop-top. Norseman was apparently a Canadian awning maker, but can't find much info on them these days.

I don't have a good picture of the brackets on my current van, but here's one I took while tearing down the donor van:

(click here for larger version)

The Norseman legs can go to the ground (as above) or to clips on the body like the Fiamma awnings. I like this but haven't yet installed the clips onto my van body:

T.Low has an awning on his Astrolander too. If I were buying an awning new, I'd probably just get one from Camping Labs - they seem to have the best bang/buck ratio.

 

[SWbySWesty]

I have the Kirkham's Auto Canopy. For $80, it can't be beat, but it doesn't stay on the vehicle for rapid deployment. I like the idea of the Fiamma clips or Hannibal (no legs) to avoid need guidewires in hard pack/ultra wet.