Awnings

[paulj]

If you want to experiment with rigging your own awning, I know of a couple of clip systems that may be useful for joining tarps, lines and poles without sewing:

http://www.shelter-systems.com/who-we-are.html
sells 'grip clips' in various sizes, along with an assortment of dome designs.

Their 'pro' model looks interesting, though I haven't yet figured out how to make use of it yet:
http://www.shelter-systems.com/grip-clip-pro-1.html

http://cbcproducts.com/EZG/EZGHome.htm
sells tubular 'grabbit' tarp holders. Their latest offer is a canopy system
http://www.cbcproducts.com/UCS/CanopyPole1.htm

 

[VikingVince]

Paul,

The CBC link is interesting...call me "slow," but for the life of me I cannot figure out how the poles in the canopy system actually work/function...the pics and videos don't really demonstrate it very well...at least not that I could see. Have you seen it in use?...re the T-joint pole that is shown - are ropes passed through that T-joint or other poles attached to it?

 

[paulj]

The only CBC product that I have is a couple sets of their mini-grabbits, which consists of a plastic cylinder that is placed on one side of the tarp, and sleeve that slides over it from the other side, clamping the tarp between. I think the pole system uses a 20" long grabbit on the end of each pole.
http://www.cbcproducts.com/LG500/LG500Home.htm

Here's the system description:

Each kit contains a duffel bag to carry the poles, a lantern holder, 5 perimeter poles and 1 extension pole. Each perimeter pole contains 1 Long Grabbit 500 Tarp Holder, 2 guy ropes, 2 RockBuster Ground Stakes and 2 EZ Adjust Rope Adjusters.
Price: $150.00

I expect the simplest use would be to attach one pole/grabbit to the center of your tarp, raise that, and tie down the corners. A more elaborate setup would place poles at points around the tarp perimeter.

In this picture, 2 guy lines attach to the top cylinder of the grabbit.

In the illustrated 'circus' tent, it appears they use 2 or 3 poles to form the ridge line, and 3 poles along each side.

For a car awning I would use several grabbits to attach one side of the tarp to the roof rack (or to a spreader bar that attached to the rack), and then 1-3 poles to raise the outboard end. For just sun shade 2 poles near the corners would be fine. In rain I'd want to use a taller pole to form a water draining ridgeline or peak.

paulj

 

[VikingVince]

Thanks Paul...that makes it clearer...I read everything on the site except the contents of the bag!:rappel:

 

[VikingVince]

Pasquale...did you hear from SafariTrailers? It's been a week and I've heard nothing.

 

[Desertdude]

Pasquale...did you hear from SafariTrailers? It's been a week and I've heard nothing.

Hi Vince - I was just thinking about this item yesterday - I have received no word either - I may try and call or keep searching for this elsewhere.
let me know what you find out :lurk:

 

[seth_js]

I hear ya on the light and simple - this is a 4'X8' piece of wild nylon cloth and a few poles/rope Baja shade photo Thanks to Chris (baja taco) for the killer photo :sunny:

Vince - Lets tag team 'em and see what we can come up with

Perfect! I am very, VERY simplistic. Less is more with me. Where did you guys get your telescoping poles and how are you attaching the tarp to the poles?

-Seth

 

[Desertdude]

with my cloth I wrapped the rope around the cloth and the end of the pole.

I have had my poles for years think they came from a local camping store


Still wanting the technitop awning... guess I might have t make one :elkgrin:

 

[flywgn]

... Where did you guys get your telescoping poles and how are you attaching the tarp to the poles?

-Seth

I purchased a REAL CHEAP tent at K-mart 20 years ago, discarded the fabric, and kept the adjustable poles. Still have them (in Baja) and they still work.

I will probably purchase another set for use up here and think I'll give the ones from Cabela a try. (p. 552 in Master Catalog; or part no. FG-51-2285 (878). $13.99 + S/H

 

[seth_js]

I will probably purchase another set for use up here and think I'll give the ones from Cabela a try. (p. 552 in Master Catalog; or part no. FG-51-2285 (878). $13.99 + S/H

Sweet, thanks!

-Seth

 

[ShearPin]

Hannibal

Hey - a little late joining the discussion. I would second the recommendation for the Hannibal awning. My wife and I huddled with my brother under his in a hail storm in Colorado and watched our tent blow away. It stayed waterproof but did sag very little with the collecting hail - simply dumped it off every now and then.

In the sun you definitely have to park just right - it would benefit from either side curtains or a flap folding off the front to the ground (I think all are available). It is incredibly rigid though - flapping awnings aren't relaxing.

Henry

 

[Ramdough]

Hannibal Awnings?

I really like the Hannibal awning design, but I am just curious:


1. How far off of the roof rack do the rack bars reach?

2. How strong of a wind can they resist?

3. What keeps the arms open in the wind? Is there a latch or does the tarp hold it square?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mlachica]

Anybody have experience with the Kelty Carport? It seems pretty versatile and probably a comparable price to hannibal awnings. I'm sure the hannibal is easier to set up - no guy lines.

 

[ShearPin]

Hannibal

Ramdough

Hannibal sells the awnings in different lengths - my brother's is the 9 ft. It's built stout. It works by two metal supports folding out on each end mounted on polyurethane bushngs. The awning canvas then unrolls with a solid full length bar at the end that locks into the side support beams.

I spent a couple of hours under it in a hail storm in Colorado. The wind was gusting something awful - blew my tent away. The hail was collecting on top of the awning. We cleared it from time to time but there was minimal sag and no flapping (the worst problem with awnings).

In the sun I've found you have to park right with 9ft. You can see the shade is off-centre in my previous picture. Again, parking with the awning and the movement of the sun in mind would make a big difference.

There are a few more photos of my brothers set-up at:

http://www.4x4freedom.com/hmcs.htm

Henry

 

[Ramdough]

Thanks ShearPin,

How fast was the wind blowing?

I have been camping during a tropical storm on the coast of Texas. The wind was up to 40 mph. We had to build a dome tent inside of a dome tent and then we rigged extra lines to the poles and tied them to burried logs.

the 9' is the width right? I am trying to figure out the length of the hinged poles. Is the awning a 9' x 6' awning? 9x5? 9x4? etc?