In a message dated 28/08/2008 10:09:24 P.M. Central Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

    Right On, I've seen Doug's invention and it works  !  I may do the same.
The Dog On A Leash thing is sure a  problem.  Not as bad with little Hunter
of course and in Mexico  we don't tie him up so not a problem down there.  But
sure is nice to  have that down draft security without the poles in the way !

>>>>>>>This is indeed the problem --- the brackets  bend down. We don't use
the
extra poles because we travel with an exuberant  Black Lab who is normally
tied to the van on an extendible leash. He would  wipe out any poles in no
time. I got sick of bending the brackets back up.  I made myself an aluminum
bracket that fits on the centre pole; it os  designed to put no strain on the
material. I run a tent guyline up to my  roof rack -- tighten as I please and
the guyline then keeps the awning from  going down and the hold down lines
keep it from going up. If you're without  a roof rack the guyline could
easily go to the front of the raised poptop  (those angled supports ---  you
know).<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15,  2008