Is the Shady Boy robust? Read on. I purchased a shady boy and installed it
per instructions. That was about 6 weeks ago. My first use was at a camp
in Madison, Indiana in March. Readers should understand this awning is
supported by the tension from five fiberglass poles, each made of two
connected parts. There are three large poles that support most of the
weight and two smaller poles that mostly serve to give the awning more
lateral coverage.

What's fascinating about this product is that it uses no verticle poles to
hold up the awning, although buyers can purchase them. The three main
poles thrust out from the van parallel to the ground, and of course, lay
under the awning.

After setting up the awning I sat down to read an engrossing novel--in the
van. I was dimly aware of a developing storm but, frankly, failed to
consider the implications to the awning. When a sudden and especially
strong gust of wind rocked the van I remembered the awning and parted the
van's door curtains to check the awning's condition.

I was stunned to see all three poles being dragged directly upward with
the force of the wind on the underside of the awning. The poles were now
at a 90 degree angle to the ground. The bend in the three poles seemed
already unsustainable. I got out of the van ASAP and took a closer look.
All three poles were bent upward like small fishing poles attempting to
bring in a shark from the sky.

With some difficulty, I removed all five poles from their mounts and
dragged down the awning, now being whipped by the wind and rain. By now it
was dark and I was soaking wet, so I decided to wait until morning to
survey the damage.

Morning revealed the fiberglass sections laying in the mud. I had stuffed
the awning into its silver carrying case mounted on the top side of the
van. I was surprised and very pleased to find almost no damage to the
poles or to the awning. One of the diagonal support poles had very minor
splintering at the end of the section that entered the support hole/base.

I am not familiar with the characteristics of fiberglass but I have since
used the Shady Boy several times with no problems. As a precaution against
another such incident, I now tie down the two sides of the awning with the
supplied nylon string. If I were to face another severe storm, I'd
probably dismantle the awning as a precaution. But I find that tying down
the ends has been sufficient to handle ordinary winds.

Finally, I have no relationship with, or contact with Shady Boy, other
than to order and pay for the awning.

Dan Roberts