I think some more design is required - the tarp will pull out of the spring
clamps, just when you need them most.

How about making a hem in the tarp with colored duct tape, and then sliding
a pole through the hem?

Then you place the hem/pole  in the rain gutter, and try using said spring
clamps, which will now work somewhat better.

If those don't work, what about fabricating something that compresses
hem/pole into the rain gutter?

Marshall Ruskin
-----Original Message-----
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, June 14, 1999 10:50 AM
Subject: Poor man's awning

>Anyone ever rig up an awning to their van using a tarp and those
spring-type
>clamps?  (I'm thinking about clamping the tarp to the drip rail in about 4
>spots, then using some aluminum tent poles and then staking it out with guy
>lines.
>
>The tarp is about $8, the four spring clamps are $1.80 each at Home Depot,
>and the tent poles are about $4 each....Total cost of awning - $25, and you
>don't have a big aluminum canister bouncing up and down trying to tear off
>your drip rail on rough roads...
>
>Brent Christensen
>'89 Syncro Westy "Klaus"
>'95 Cherokee Sport
>