> I'm considering a Shady Boy awning, made in Canada.
> They look nifty--10'x6' canopy of Sunbrella cantilevered out on
> fiberglass poles from the annodized aluminum box which clamps to the rain
> gutter:  no poles needed!--only tie-down strings in a stiff breeze.
> Weight: 14 pounds & looks real sweet.
> I've requested prices, etc. from a distributor in San Jose.
> Anybody know anything about these Lazy Boys?

I will have a real nice awning very soon, designed specifically for the VW
van.  This will be a Bus Depot exclusive, and works differently from the
other ones presently available. Unlike the Shadyboy, this awning will
require no permanent mounting of anything whatsoever to the Vanagon body. It
can be used without the need to stake anything to the ground, so it's great
for tailgating or parking on asphalt, etc. where you can't put a stake in.
(However it can be staked down if desired.)  It goes up or down in minutes,
and folds up to store under the rear seat (Vanagon) or in the luggage rack
(Westy). We tested a prototype of it at the Grassroots festival this weekend
and it worked great!!

Projected price is $250 to $300.  We expect to have them in about a month.
I'll keep you posted.

I will also have an inexpensive side tent for under $400 that also requires
no permanent mounting to the van.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  http://www.busdepot.com