Visor - homemade or improvised

Dereco

We bought our T@b last fall and wondered whether a tent add-on, awning or visor would suit us best. We opted for the awning (I think now I would buy the tent add-on). 

I am thinking of improvising a visor, using a tent fly or tent material in matching color. Has anyone else done this?  (I did the obligatory search both on the forum and online to no avail.)

Edwina

Great question.  We are considering doing the same.  I have even thought of approaching a local outdoor gear company (Big Agnes) to see if we could spark their interest in some lightweight "aftermarket" options.  It seems there is a demand, just limited competition.  There is strength in numbers, so if enough of us have an interest...... Imagine the possibilities!

Restless_Native

Saw this on the T@B forum on FaceBook. Looks like a good cost-effective modification. Hope I resized it correctly. 
Ed Note: Yes you did :-)

  

Restless_Native

If you do a search in the forum on "keder", there have been discussion on attaching.  http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/35630/#Comment_35630 

Nomad

And this... http://keder.com/hardwaremain.html

jkjenn

My mom made me a custom visor. 

ericnliz

Pretty cool!

RZRBUG

This was my attempt at what I called my "Redneck Porch."  I have since ordered the XL Visor and find it much easier the quicker to set up.  I still have the porch in case I ever want to use it again.  Made from tarp and painter's poles.

gooselady

I've seen a lot of pictures of homemade awnings, and I find most of them ugly and inefficient, excepting, of course, Jen's mom's visor.  The Pahaque awning is waterproof and easy to install, and looks good.  As accessories go, it is not that expensive.  

Dereco

Thanks Jenn Grover, that is precisely what I was thinking of. Do you have any measurements you could share, and what did you/your Mom use to maintain the curve/form on the outside edge of your visor? Thanks!

Ratkity

Jenn's Ma has to be as creative as Jenn!

The replacement pole for the awning is low $$. So many waterproof fabrics (and uv protected) to chose from out there. There are also waterproofing and uv protection sprays you can get at Bass Pro and other similar places (also Amazon). 

jkjenn

Dereco said:

Thanks Jenn Grover, that is precisely what I was thinking of. Do you have any measurements you could share, and what did you/your Mom use to maintain the curve/form on the outside edge of your visor? Thanks!

I had a Paha Queen Visor XL and mom used that as a template. The Papa Queen visor is well made and I would not have bothered with a custom visor but I saw this material and had to give it a try. I if you search the FB groupgroup, and a guy named Chico has information posted about hi custom visors. 

Ratkity

Mama Grover could start her own biz and supply custom made XL Visor fabric, just supply pole (for a pretty price, mind you). 

Jenn, luv your autocorrect "Paha Queen Visor XL" LOL.

Connor2008

A novice T@bber here. All these visors use the keder track, correct? We have led rope lights in track. Any ideas if track not available?

Ratkity

Sew small light colored loops in the fabric edge that goes into the keder rail for the LED lights?

Nomad

Correct. Search on lights (exterior, rope, string, etc) - Several threads. Look in the thread about posting shots of your campsite for pics. Maybe even search on "glam" :-)

Ratkity

PXL has an aversion to doing any search that starts with the word "glam" - pink flamingos give him hives! LOL. j/k PXL!! I really know it's the s.n.o.w. word that gets you packing up fast!

Nomad

Yes, I had a hard time even typing the word :-)

Dereco

Update to an old thread I started. I still had the idea of improvising a Tab visor. So I cut out one side of a pop-up kitchen tent that was otherwise no good, and came up an improvised visor. I also used a tent pole I had and set the ends into the keder rail. It worked fairly well, but I had to tie it back across the rear and front of the Tab, and that did not work the best in wind. I think a strap that ran across the top of the roof and under the tab (encircling it, kind of ), or at least across the top from the back grab handle to the front, would work better.   

jgram2

Ingenious-using "found" materials!

jkjenn

Mom revised mine and it is better than ever:

dragonsdofly

Awesome, @jkjenn, just awesome. No limits on custom designs, and Rocky could have his own career doing what comes naturally, being so darned cute!

ChanW

Jenn, is that a morphing visor? Amazing!  (beautiful, really!)

jgram2

Wait! You have 3 of those lovely awnings? Boy did you get lucky, they're wonderful.

jkjenn

Well, after mom obsessed with perfecting mine, she developed a couple of prototypes and has opened an Etsy shop. I only came home with one, though!

Tabfortwo

What's is moms shop called on etsy

jgram2

I searched with visor on etsy and found this, I think it's what you're looking for: 
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/5907/doty-hill-designs-new-visor-personal-review

DaveC

I have a Kelty Sunshade for rafting trips.  Decided to try it on my Outback.  Used ball bungees to attach it.  Worked great in 20+ mph winds. 

pthomas745

I recently purchased the "tarp trackers" that were mentioned in one of the threads here back in June. Run them into the passenger side keder rail and attach what you want:

Link to the description by the "inventor."

http://www.popupportal.com/threads/make-your-own-awning-track-hangers.63064/


This is the forum thread that discusses how to "spread" the driver side keder rail so you can insert various things into the track on that side. The above link in that thread.

http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/5180/keder-rail-question

Simple device, and I plan to use them as attachment points for a Shade Sail, etc.

RonNAmy

@jkjenn I just posted on a different thread about your mom's shop and then I found this thread. Go figure...lol

Anyway, looks like she's on vacation currently so going to hit you up. Her Etsy shop references 320 & 400 T@b models. I have a 2014 Max Q. Do you know if one of her visors would work for mine?

dragonsdofly

@RonNAmy, please see Carol and my responses to the same question you asked on another thread. Simple answer: yes. Original t@bs are now labeled 320 since the larger 400 was introduced.  Your trailer is a 320. -Denise