I recieved email from busdepot.com this morning, my kit is indeed
missing clamps and instructions, which were priority-mailed to me already.

I'm satisfied with this resolution and don't hold a grudge against them,
but if you order this kit I would check the contents immediately.  Of
course this is hard to do when it doesn't include a packing list or
instructions, however they were kind enough to send me a pdf:

http://dokodemo.org/A7905.pdf

(hosted at my site w/o their permission for the good of the vanagon list)

these instructions are not great but they do verify that I am missing
the clamps and they are a little better than trying to decipher it all
from the product description page.

I'd still tentatively give this product a decent review, especially for
value.  It seems very heavy/sturdy (in a good way, mostly).  Assembly is
not what I would call "easy" but it might get that way with practice.
Still, the price is right (1/4 of other awnings, you pay for it in
hassle instead - which I often don't mind), and I love that it does not
permanently mount to van.  I'll report more as its actually used.

Rob Campbell wrote:

> Hello-
>
> I recently received the new awning from busdepot.  Let me say that I am
> not disappointed, yet, and am not unhappy with the service from
> busdepot, yet.  I've tried to contact them via email and phone, but have
> not been able to get through (lots of busy signals) so I'm hoping anyone
> else who has ordered one can answer this more quickly.
>
> In general, I am happy with this kit, mainly because I didn't want to
> mount a "box" to the exterior of my van (as the Fiamma and Shadyboy
> styles use).  I like that the awning, being self contained and external,
> can be left at home.  Its pretty heavy, and somewhat large, so when not
> needed, its great to keep it at home.  It just fits on the ledge behind
> the AC vent in the back (though the van has a warning about keeping this
> ledge clear when AC is used), or under the bench seat in back.
>
> The awning came with no instructions.  This is annoying, but
> understandable, it seems simple enough.  I thought I understood how all
> the pieces go together, but...
>
> I don't see how it attaches to the rain gutter?  It seems that for a
> vanagon (which I have) no suction cups or additional clamps are
> required, I ordered the basic kit.  It comes with the awning fabric, the
> tentpole-like cross braces which give the tarp its arched shape, rigid
> metal poles for front and back edges of the awning, and legs, feet, and
> extensions for the legs.  I found no additional clamps for attaching to
> rain gutter.  I was wondering if the back edge pole just "pushes in" and
> is expected to hold that way, but it didn't seem to work.  I could be
> missing pieces, or I am missing something very obvious.  It was a real
> disappointment on my recent attempt to try it out.  Between 3 moderately
> intelligent adults, we couldn't understand how it is supposed to attach
> to the van.
>
> Again, I am not slamming the product or busdepot, I am sure there is a
> simple answer.  I also understand busdepot is not able to answer the
> phone as much as they would like to, and I will keep attempting to
> contact them... but in the meantime, if anyone else has received this
> product...  can you please explain:
>
> 1) is the kit suppose to have instructions?  the photos on the busdepot
> website don't help a whole lot
> 2) are there supposed to be some pieces to attach it to the rain
> gutter?  or does it just "press in"?
> 3) if it does just "press in", is there some technique required?  the
> poles seemed too large to do this.
>
> When I get this thing actually working right, I'll post some pics and
> review.  It seems to be an otherwise great solution to the potentially
> very expensive awning problem.
>
> thanks-
>