----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Myers <myersrm@mindspring.com>
To: PSavage <psavage@saber.net>
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: Your ShadyBoy

> PSavage wrote:
>
> > Hi Dick,
> >
> > I am a neighbor of Ron Bloomquist's and owner of an '85 Westy- Wolf.  I
only
> > just returned from a winter traveling in Mexico in my Vanagon, & already
I
> > am preparing to do it again!  I am interested in feedback on the
ShadyBoy
> > awning.
> >     I am a sucker for good design, thus prefer ShadyBoy to others I've
seen.
> > So far, however, other ShadyBoy owners report having used their awnings
only
> > a few times.  While camped at the beach, or desert highlands, often with
no
> > other shade, a dependable awning is critical.
> >     Has yours been put to much use?  Can you offer any feedback on the
> > design, ---i.e. are there flaws which must be dealt with by the owner?
Any
> > weak points that have needed reinforcing, etc?
> > Have you had any troubles with yours?  Is there any advice needed
regarding
> > the mounting, which I understand is best done by bolting to the van, not
> > using the clamp-to-gutter method?
> >
>
> I'm impressed with the simple design and price relative to other styles.
> Mounting to the van is extremely solid.  I would've liked to see included
some
> (better) awning deployment instructions as everytime I use it, I have to
spend
> a bunch of time figuring out how all the poles go together.  Perhaps mark
the
> poles after you set it up the first time.
>
> It got very windy the last time I used it and I was concerned as to
whether it
> would sail away and take the van with it, or rudely whap passerbys.  One
corner
> blew off the pole (pole is inserted into a pocket in the awning fabric)
and I
> decided to call it quits and attempt to stow the awning.  Not easy in the
wind
> as you can imagine.  I think any awning has problems in stronger winds
unless
> it includes many pounds of metal structure.
>
> If the places you go tend to be windy and you can't position your van to
block
> the wind, then you might find the ShadyBoy (or perhaps any awning) to be
> inadequate or difficult to use.  However, there are those days that it's
> exactly what you need and you can cinch down the guy ropes to handle light
> winds.
>
> An improvement for windy conditions may be to replace the guy ropes with
> something rigid.  If you're concerned with longevity, get the toughest
fabric
> available.  Also, deploy the awning and shake out the gritty dust from
time to
> time as it manages to get inside even when clamped up and abrades to the
> fabric.
>
> As to mounting advice ... there is some, but I forget ...  Hmmmm, center
the
> awning over the cargo door and position the 'U' brackets so they come
close to,
> but don't touch the rain gutter.  I seem to remember taking the brackets
off
> the awning at some point.  This allows you to drill a hole and put a bolt
in,
> so that you can get the other two holes right.  I dunno, I just remember
that
> the tolerances were fairly tight and I was impressed and pleased that I
got it
> right the first time.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Dick
>