The $76 homebrew awning

[nickswan]

I couldn't decide between the Foxwing, fiamma, or arb awning and honestly couldn't afford the hannibal that I want, so since I'm off all week and bored...

Two hours and $76 later I'm sitting in the shade drinking a beer, er, beta testing the homebrew awning against the wind, rain, and elements. So far so good, a trip to the beach this weekend will really test it. I picked up everything from walmart and home-depot:

8' X 10' tarp - $10
40' of 3/4" emt - $16
4 - 3/4" 90* corners - $16
2 - 8' adjustable tent poles - $22
3 - 3/4" conduit clamps - $12

It goes up in about ten minutes and rolls away into a nice little 10' bundle. I used about ten zip ties and two ratchet straps to keep it taught, if it lasts a season and only costs me a $10 tarp and a bag of zip ties I'll be very pleased with it until I can afford a decent rack to support a Hannibal.

 

[bluecruiser]

Nicely done....group buy??

 

[jhfj80]

Badass, I may or may not copy you. I take it the Sheriff didn't like it though?

Sent from the future to protect John Conner.

 

[slimbuddha]

I like the idea... and may do something like this. The only thing I would change is to make it break down smaller... like maybe 5' poles.

 

[nickswan]

Yea I may cut em, wasn't sure how strong the junction pieces would be in the wind though. I think I'm just going to get a 4" X 10' black PVC tube with caps, and stuff it all in, strapped to my rack for transport.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

Very cool. Have you thought of using velcro straps they sell rolls of it at Lowes / Home Depot instead of the zip ties? Not sure if it would be strong enough though? But they would allow more adjustability of tarp tautness.

 

[yeti in ga]

Great idea, I have been looking at something like this also . Post a picture of it bundled up. Do you strap down on the rack for transport ? I too want to keep it as small and light as one could and it still make it thru a windy night .

 

[2000UZJ]

Awesome! I have wanted to make one for quite some time but couldn't figure it out. Simpler than I thought. Well done.

 

[4Peanut]

Nice job Nick!

 

[MtnAddict]

Good job, I like.

 

[gil12]

Looks good! Looks like it is fun to make and use!

Gil
Ventura

 

[shogun2fire]

You have some meaty tires on your truck

 

[anthonycds]

Yea I may cut em, wasn't sure how strong the junction pieces would be in the wind though. I think I'm just going to get a 4" X 10' black PVC tube with caps, and stuff it all in, strapped to my rack for transport.

Very cool Nick

I too recently put together a cheapo awning for my 100 and have used it on a camping trip just last week. I used zip ties which I will be switching out for some velcro straps that attach to the Mr. Longarm painter poles that I chose over the tent poles, since they were no where to be found in my area.

+1 on the PVC tube. I fashioned a door for my tubing for the tarp to just roll out, along with the necessary poles that fit perfectly into the 4"x10' PVC.

 

[uzj100]

This looks great. Thanks for posting.

 

[nickswan]

Very cool Nick

I too recently put together a cheapo awning for my 100 and have used it on a camping trip just last week. I used zip ties which I will be switching out for some velcro straps that attach to the Mr. Longarm painter poles that I chose over the tent poles, since they were no where to be found in my area.

+1 on the PVC tube. I fashioned a door for my tubing for the tarp to just roll out, along with the necessary poles that fit perfectly into the 4"x10' PVC.

That's one murdered out 100, looks great! Any more info on your PVC door? Or some more shots of your set up?

 

[spressomon]

You'll love the awning...we love our's! I too thought long about the Hannibal...but the negative comment I read a couple times with Hannibal owners: Rain (or snow) settles in the middle as there's no way to tilt the awning...food for thought.

FWIW: Nice ingenuity for rollup home-brew awning Welcome to Land Cruiser Owners On Line

 

[B-RAD]

Nice Job. Velcro does work well for securing an awning to poles or your rack. I salvaged the fabric from an old pop up, self standing awning after the metal legs collapsed in a wind storm, seweed some velcro tabs that attach to my rack, added a couple of poles and it works great, takes only a few minutes to set up, folds up to nothing for storage.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

BJTLC100,
Did you hand sew the tabs or use a heavy sewing machine? Do you have any recommendations on thread / needle / device to use?

BTW, I didn't do too well in scouts with my sewing merit badge (it fell off lol). So any help / tips is much appreciated! Though in college, I learned how to use a curved needle and can do more surgical type suturing vs. typical fabric sewing with a regular straight needle. It's not quite the same and the clothes I try to stitch up sure show it.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Very cool...way to be creative!!!

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[B-RAD]

Dogdays - Let me first clarify, that sewing is a skill not a hobby for me! I bought an old, used Singer sewing machine years ago for another project, and it has come in handy from time to time over the years. I just used normal thread and whatever needle was on the machine at the time. Depending on your fabric, etc, you may need a heavier duty needle. In sewing the velcro tabs on I sewed a box shape around the edges of the velco then sewed an "X" throw the box. That will make it extra stout and not rip off easily, unlike your merit badge! Back stitch over your beginning and ending stitches to make sure they don't unravel too.