An "kinda" half-teardown option for a T@b 400 awning.

andytabrv

So I've used a Kingcamp awning with my T@b 400. I'd sewn on a keder rail strip and that helps getting it up easier. One of my complaints with the awning is if winds get strong (like with any camper awning) I have to fully disassemble it and that takes time.

I wanted to try a way of partial disassembly in case storms or winds are on the horizon. So, my compromise is to temporarily roll it up with some straps to hold it. I used some inexpensive nylon hook & lock strap I got from Amazon and it also came with some buckles. I sewed it onto the keder rail strap area. Put buckles on top and longer straps on bottom. I basically roll it up along the side and strap it in place. I think once I have more experience rolling it up it will take me about 5 minutes. You can see in the picture the buckle end isn't very long, but the strap end is kept longer to make easier to grab.

I use carabiners on the guy lines to the stakes for the vertical support poles so I can unclip them and leave the stakes in the ground for reattachment. I have to remove the long fiberglass flex poles as they're too heavy to keep in the roll and handle it easily. But, they are easy to remove. I do keep the center small cross pole attached and use the vertical support poles to help me start to roll it up. After unclipping and removing the top X support poles, I grab the bottom of one vertical support poles and then grab the other. I then put them in a horizontal line across the edge of the tarp portion and use them to roll the tarp around.

So far I've been happy with it. I do role it "under" (top downward), which is much more awkward that rolling it "up" (bottom upward). Rolling it up looked to me that it might accumulate water as it rained. Rolling it under means the water would fully flow off. Probably overkill to worry about the rolling direction. A big rainstorm is coming later this week (I'm camping all week long) so we'll see. I would never tow with it rolled like this (possibly only slowly in a campground long enough to dump the tanks and come back.). But, that's what the portable waste tank is for, anyway.

To note. I'm almost 6' tall. I'm able to stretch and reach and do this without a stool. If you are shorter you'll need a step stool to help reach. Having two people would make it easier to roll, but if you have a strong grip you can do it alone.