New Cheapskate Awning setup under $60!!

[gklugie]

My Roadtrek came without an awning. I thought an awning would be a good idea. I thought a $1000 awning was a bad idea. My solution?

- 4 aluminum (electrical conduit from Home Depot) poles @ $2.85 each
- 2 1/4" X20 carriage bolts @ .15
- 2 1/2" dowel plugs ... (scrap laying around)
- 4 Airhead suction cups @ $4.95
- 1 Heavy duty UV resistant boat tarp ($19)
- 2 fender washers (.40)
- 2 cord thimbles (.85)
- 2 tent stakes (spares from RV)
- 2 hitch pins (.95)
- 2 wing nuts to secure cord assembly to rods
- parachute cord ( spare from tool box)

It rolls up in a VERY compact package and fits in my driver side lower external compartment. Weighs less than 10 pounds. ..... eat your heart out Fiamma!

[BBQ]

.

+1 +1

and it will never jam

[Phoebe3]

+1 Probably handles the wind better, too.

[Boxster1971]

Nice awning!!


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

[Bruceper]

I'm so going to try this. Awesome post.

[Ron J. Moore]

Congrats for coming up with an alternative. I wonder if something like this, but sized accordingly, would be practical for the refrigerator side? Ron

[booster]

Are you tall enough to put the awning on without a ladder?

[gklugie]

I am not quite tall enough to attach the suction cups.... need 6 inch boost. I am 5'9" tall. The suction cups are called "airheads" and are used for boat tarps. They are very strong, and cannot be pulled of without releasing the lever.

The threaded part is a 1/4" X 20 carriage bolt pushed through a drilled out piece of wooden dowel.

The little poles nest inside the big poles when not in use.

[gklugie]

Ron, another could easily be put over refrigerator side. Yes.