OK, for those of you on a beer budget...

aluminium extrusions for awning installation are available from any RV shop,
about $1.25Cdn/foot. Buy what you want. Is tubular section with flat flange.
Your tarb gets a rope through the edge seam, and you thread the tarp
seam/rope into the slot each time you ste up.  A couple of grommets in the
opposite edhem and you either tie it to trees or scrounge 2 old tent poles.
Downside is that you'll have to put MANY little screws into the roof of your
van a bit above the rain gutter. Maybe an industrial/auto adhesive. this is
on the project list also, cost of tarp material and extrusion has been <$25
so far. Add $8 for a tube of glue?

bye, Tim

PS: May go for the striped window awning deal, individual little shades over
each window.  Would look hilarious on the Westy, like living in Florida all
the time?