How to build a quality awning for less than $100

[AA1PR]

I may & try to build one using some waterproof rip-stop silnylon and have to check into support poles.

I was thinking of having a bag the assembly rolls up into and this could be then attached to the vehicles roof rack in some fashion [kind of like pop-up campers have in theory]

[Salue]

It gets better, trust me

I can't wait cuz it's pretty good already!

After watching your video, it's not nearly as ghetto as I imagined.

Nicely done!

[Token]

hhmmm.. Interesting.. Think I've got all that stuff in the garage other than the bimini thingys.. Of course the roof rack on the top of my H3 isn't 8ft long.. However the trailer I've been thinking about sticking something on is 6ft long, so an 8ft long awning might fly.. The poles are supposed to stretch out to 8ft.. Never checked to see if they do or not..

If you're looking for a temporary mount rather than having to screw the contraption to your rack/truck/trailer.. Attach 3 or 4 mini quick fist clamps to whatever you want it to hand onto and strap the thing on with those..

[evldave]

Nice job. I had thought about doing something similar but really cheaping out and using cpvc pipe and cheap blue tarps. Fastening it to my roof rack with cable ties. Extra cheesy version.

Something like this?



I've been there...and seen the light...and for very few more $$ and actually less time, I've upgraded.

You can too...and that picture above gives you a small idea of what is to come

[evldave]

I may & try to build one using some waterproof rip-stop silnylon and have to check into support poles.

I was thinking of having a bag the assembly rolls up into and this could be then attached to the vehicles roof rack in some fashion [kind of like pop-up campers have in theory]

hmmm, a bag or other way to protect your cheap but quality awning from the elements?

I might have an idea

and it might cost somewhere around $30.05, be waterproof, and not look like you bought it off the shelf at Goodwill

[evldave]

hhmmm.. Interesting.. Think I've got all that stuff in the garage other than the bimini thingys.. Of course the roof rack on the top of my H3 isn't 8ft long.. However the trailer I've been thinking about sticking something on is 6ft long, so an 8ft long awning might fly.. The poles are supposed to stretch out to 8ft.. Never checked to see if they do or not..

If you are willing to wait, I can guarantee I will have a solution so that an 8' awning fits nicely on your 6' rack, without looking like it's sticking out

Here are two teasers:

If you're looking for a temporary mount rather than having to screw the contraption to your rack/truck/trailer.. Attach 3 or 4 mini quick fist clamps to whatever you want it to hand onto and strap the thing on with those..

I heard quick fists were the bomb! Then I bought a couple and used them for a custom bike rack on my truck and after less than a year in the sun they had decayed so much one of the mounts broke, just randomly. YMMV but I'm not sold on quick fists anymore as anything other than a disposable item (re-usable zipties might be a better alternative if you want a temporary mount).

[evldave]

I can't wait cuz it's pretty good already!

After watching your video, it's not nearly as ghetto as I imagined.

Nicely done!

Thanks!

Version 1 was horrible, version two was a failure, version 3 worked barely, and this is version 4. Versions 4.1 (addendum), 5 (rear), 6 (driver), and 7 (shower) will all hopefully be just as inexpensive, easy to build, and not-ghetto.

When all is said and done, I expect to be in this for less than $500, have 270 degree coverage, shower enclosure, screen room, reasonable level of weather protection (sun and rain), and not look like I built the whole thing in my garage.

and to make things even better, my brother and I have already started working on Series 2...a little more expensive, requires some welding capability, but is 100% ground-independent But that will be after the Hollister Rally...for now my goal is to finish v4-7 by October.

[Xterabl]

Awesome stuff. Some serious genius rising above all those suds....
Interesting pole-locking devices in your previous thread...def'ly looking forward to the future editions. I'm planning a shower hanging off the rear lift hatch of my Xterra, so I'm hoping there'll be some applicability there, somehow,too.

EDIT to add: How 'bout incorporating something like this:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#6653a21/=dqmsjx
Item # 6653A21

This could be either (A) helpful or (B) dangerous when you've had too many beers and you're trying to pack away the awning.

[evldave]

Awesome stuff. Some serious genius rising above all those suds....
Interesting pole-locking devices in your previous thread...def'ly looking forward to the future editions. I'm planning a shower hanging off the rear lift hatch of my Xterra, so I'm hoping there'll be some applicability there, somehow,too.

EDIT to add: How 'bout incorporating something like this:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#6653a21/=dqmsjx
Item # 6653A21

This could be either (A) helpful or (B) dangerous when you've had too many beers and you're trying to pack away the awning.

Haha, that's great! My neighbor has been joking when he wins the lottery he's going to buy me a Sunsetter awning.

I think the only thing wrong with those is the cost - some are more than the price of the awning itself!!

[theindian]

Nice job on the awning evildave, I started to make my own awning a couple of months ago was useing Mr.longarm painter poles which are alum. and extend to 8ft and some alum. 3/4 angle had about $90 tied upto that point I was going with a side shade awning which was 6"x 12" from a patio canipy that i had to replace so i had 2 of those was going to have the wife sew them together and i had several foldup lawn chair carrying bags with the straps that i was going to sew togther and put a zipperin for a cover I think with the free canopy top i would been in around $140 with stainless hardware. I oppted out when i got a arb awning for about $70 more. Another idea I built was a canopy swingarm so i could move it to the back of truck as well.