We started our Sprinter tarp deployment with a canvas tarp 8 x 10 but after a year or so it was pretty mildewed so I got a cream colored vinyl tarp, same size.
The only thing we did a bit differently was that I lashed a small diameter (I think 3/4") piece of pvc pipe using the grommets along the outer edge - just lashed with heavy twine and then saturated the twine with Titebond III to keep it from sliding on the plastic pipe.
We have eyebolts spaced for the grommets on our first tarp installed on the side of the van - put them in before paneling inside the van with backing. The awning rolled up on its pipe and the van-side edge is attached to the eye bolts with these squishy gear tie things. I can do it by myself if necessary - I am a 69 year old woman - with a couple of step stools, holding the awning on its pipe (which gives it a bit of rigidity) and then stepping up with one end and just twisting the attachment tie (which we leave on the eye bolt). https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Gear-Tie-Assorted/dp/B00XIWJXKK
Takes about 10 minutes to set up with 3 telescoping tent poles stuck through grommets and sort of wedged against the pvc - most of that time is spent staking the poles properly. Less time to take down the poles, roll the awning and get it back up on the side of the van.
We take it off the van when we are not traveling and keep it in our woodshed.
Works great. In a lot of wind we can tie off the tarp with ropes from the awning to trees or anything else handy, or lower the outer edge to the ground and tie it to our pole stakes.
The yellow tarp was the canvas one at Kirk's Creek, Big Sur. The cream one was at Cape Breton Highland National Park. Poles, stakes, ropes, eye bolts and gear ties have lasted over 6 years as has the piece of pvc.
The only thing we did a bit differently was that I lashed a small diameter (I think 3/4") piece of pvc pipe using the grommets along the outer edge - just lashed with heavy twine and then saturated the twine with Titebond III to keep it from sliding on the plastic pipe.
We have eyebolts spaced for the grommets on our first tarp installed on the side of the van - put them in before paneling inside the van with backing. The awning rolled up on its pipe and the van-side edge is attached to the eye bolts with these squishy gear tie things. I can do it by myself if necessary - I am a 69 year old woman - with a couple of step stools, holding the awning on its pipe (which gives it a bit of rigidity) and then stepping up with one end and just twisting the attachment tie (which we leave on the eye bolt). https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Gear-Tie-Assorted/dp/B00XIWJXKK
Takes about 10 minutes to set up with 3 telescoping tent poles stuck through grommets and sort of wedged against the pvc - most of that time is spent staking the poles properly. Less time to take down the poles, roll the awning and get it back up on the side of the van.
We take it off the van when we are not traveling and keep it in our woodshed.
Works great. In a lot of wind we can tie off the tarp with ropes from the awning to trees or anything else handy, or lower the outer edge to the ground and tie it to our pole stakes.
The yellow tarp was the canvas one at Kirk's Creek, Big Sur. The cream one was at Cape Breton Highland National Park. Poles, stakes, ropes, eye bolts and gear ties have lasted over 6 years as has the piece of pvc.
