I had a similar rig for awhile -- you're completely right it is easy and
cheap --- bought the shadyboy and love it. Yes it is more expensive. Of
course -- there are different strokes for different folks. YMMV

Cheers,
Doug

On Thu, Apr 28, 2011 at 2:37 PM, <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> For what it's worth, it is not that difficult to make an inexpensive awning
> for those who want to do it, and don't mind not having a "factory finish"
> type awning.  I did it, and if I can, anyone can.  I just bought a large
> nylon, backpacking type tarp with grommets, a length of electrical conduit
> (the plastic kind that rolls up), three extendable tent poles, nylon line,
> four C-clamps (I don't remember the size, but you can figure it out) and
> three tent stakes.  It all fits in a small tent bag (except the conduit,
> which I carry rolled up in the upper bunk).  It is easy to set up, and it
> has never collapsed under wind or rain.  I'm sure it would in a heavy storm
> type situation, but so would the factory jobs, just much more expensively.
>
> I sewed a sleeve for the conduit along one side of the tarp, and the
> conduit slipped inside rests in the rain gutter with the clamps holding it
> in.  The tarp is stretched out to its full length, and the poles are
> inserted in corner and one middle-edge grommet.  The nylon line is looped
> around the top of each pole, and stretched out to anchor to the ground with
> a tent peg.
>
> I spent about $50, but probably could have spent less if I had moved pegs,
> clamps, lines, poles from other purposes, or required them to serve double
> duty (since I would not need them for a tent when using the awning), but I
> didn't.
>
> Others may be more demanding of something looking professional or whatever,
> and may be more worried about it falling down in a storm than I am.  It
> works great for me, and like other things I use when camping, I feel good
> about it because I did not buy an expensive (and often less functional and
> less durable, though maybe not in this case) item.  I have shade and
> protection from light to moderate rain.
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > >>The popular choice for awnings and the easiest to get by with is a
> regular
> > >>easy-up.
> >
> > I like the shadyboy www.shadyboy.com
> >
> > And I hope I haven't started and awning thread :-)
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Doug
>
> --
> David McNeely
>

--
http://www.dougalcock.com