Homemade Awning and Screen Enclosure

[takesiteasy]

One of the options we did not get when we bought the camper was an awning. The manufactured awnings were nice but too expensive for our budget. We are used to using a tarp when camping and my thought was to adapt a tarp we already had to serve as an awning.

My first attempt at an awning last summer was simple but not effective.


I had resolved to come up with a better solution. In addition, camping in Minnesota in the summer requires protection from bugs for camping comfort. Depending on the season, no-see-ums, mosquitoes, gnats, deer flies, horse flies, yellow jackets can take a lot of pleasure out of being outdoors. We are not fans of chemical repellents, although they can be necessary.

So the idea became to make an awning and screen room to attach to the camper.

http://travelswithrockythedog.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-awning.html

 

[steelhead]

Thanks for this post. We also opted to not order the FWC awning and have been researching options in case we decide we want one. The pictures of your solution and the construction details are very helpful. Nice work!

 

[chnlisle]

Here's another option for that awning;

 

[cwdtmmrs]

Very nicely done. Where did you buy the marine hardware and how does the tarp attach to the bracket on the top of the camper?

Thanks,

CWD

 

[takesiteasy]

Here's another option for that awning;

Awning 1.JPG

Jay, yes I got good inspiration from your project- especially the awning rail. I needed corner posts for the screen or I might have copied you 100%. Thanks!

Very nicely done. Where did you buy the marine hardware and how does the tarp attach to the bracket on the top of the camper?

Thanks,

CWD

CWD, I bought the hardware at West Marine.

The tarp slides into the awning rail that is attached to the camper. You start at one end and pull it along to the other end. There is a nylon "rope" that is sewn into the hem of the tarp that slides into the rail and holds the tarp securely in there. Sorry I didn't get a good picture of that. Here is an image I found online that shows how it works.

 

[takesiteasy]

I copied these comments from my trip report thread to keep them with the awning thread:





4buckeye, on 13 Jun 2013 - 2:04 PM, said:



Cool trip report! Neat seeing the old carvings. Good idea on the screened awning. Did you guys do that or ordered?


Posted Today, 02:14 AM by takesiteasy:

Thanks! We mostly made the awning. I wrote a blog entry on that too. http://travelswithro...new-awning.html




4buckeye, Posted Today, 03:19 AM

This is a great write up! We have been so many places (even above 9,000 ft, where there aren't supposed to be 'no see-ums'!) that are swamped with bugs. Anywhere from out west, the UP of Michigan, or most recently near Eastport, Maine; where I may add that we got eaten alive. The bites are still healing from two weeks ago! We may just have to use this engineering.

takesiteasy, Posted Today, 08:21 PM

Thanks. Yeah, bugs can be ridiculous. Help yourself to the 'engineering" and let us know if you make improvements to it. I'm already thinking about how to adapt the setup so it sheds rain better. Right now the water collects in the middle of the tarp in a heavy rain. I use a pole with a tennis ball on top to raise the middle of the tarp. It works but I think I can do better, maybe using some old fiberglass tent poles.

 

[Bosque Bill]

Interesting project. Thanks for posting. Not as much a bug problem in the dry southwest, but shade is often needed.

 

[takesiteasy]

Interesting project. Thanks for posting. Not as much a bug problem in the dry southwest, but shade is often needed.

Yep, here the awning is mostly for rain, not shade. Hence the need for the bug screen. Yet another couple of reasons for us to be envious of you guys out west. Thanks for the comment.

 

[Bosque Bill]

Yep, here the awning is mostly for rain, not shade. Hence the need for the bug screen. Yet another couple of reasons for us to be envious of you guys out west. Thanks for the comment.

You wouldn't have been too envious of the dust storm I returned home to find last Sunday

 

[jrfromafar]

Keder welt. That's what attaches to fabric and slides in the track. Just bought 10' for my rig - from sailrite.com

 

[takesiteasy]

Keder welt. That's what attaches to fabric and slides in the track. Just bought 10' for my rig - from sailrite.com

Another alternative- we used solid pvc awning welt cord. Just slid it into the hem of the tarp and stitched it at the ends to hold it in place. Saved some sewing. We got it from the local awning maker where we got our awning track. They gave us enough to do the awning for nothing. Here is a link to something similar if not the same- comes in different diameters:

http://abbeyextrusions.com/products/30/solid-pvc-cable-cord