DIY awning /tent ideas..

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

So, while I was poking around Amazon, I did a search for "Keder rail awning"

I found several offerings of the keder rail strips that appear to be meant for "sew your own" projects.. It's like $16 for a 16 foot strip.. I'm ... inspired...

https://www.amazon.com/Keder-8-5mm-Welded-Standard-Black/dp/B010G1AXZO/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=keder+rail+awning&qid=1560540184&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I have been wanting to maybe do an awning or a side tent.. but they're so darn costly.. and I had been thinking that maybe I could fab up something usable...

DeltaPop · June 2019

This thread may be of interest.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/100907#Comment_100907

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@DeltaPop Thanks!

WilliamA · June 2019

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/703/building-an-eyebrow-awning-for-t-g-side-entry

elbereth · June 2019

@DigitalSorceress also this thread:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/113738#Comment_113738

There’s an easy pattern on one of the T@B Facebook groups for a visor-like awning.

Photomom · June 2019

If you’re looking for something simple, you might put a coleman shelter over the T@B so that there’s a covered space where the awning would be. We are camping with a group now and several people do that.

Homebodyatheart · June 2019

@Photomom like this? 13x13 awning with 10x10 leg span. Fits perfectly although it needs to be secured so it doesn’t take flight in any wind. Sure helps when there’s very little shade!

EDITED FOR PHOTO SIZE - Sharon

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@Homebodyatheart LOL wow it does indeed fit.. that's awesome.

I am doing something ish between that and what @Photomom suggested at the moment.. I have this 3 sided canvas "cook shack" which is an extension of a canvas tent I used previously for my medieval reenactment stuff (it's 12'x10' or so and has 2 walls, a door wall and an open back which nicely sits over the side of the T@B

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/89/9cvid3k33oiw.png

With the awning ideas, I'm looking to diy something that is a bit smaller/more portable.. similar to the thing that @DeltaPop and @elbereth linked

Though these are great ideas .. Homebody - i really like how well yours fits

seajeeper · June 2019

Go Hawks!

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@seajeeper That is some kind of sports reference, isn't it?

The awning design is really cool.. looks like just a fiberglass hoop and a straight shot out with some guy wires.. really simple and effective

Travelin3D · June 2019

@seajeeper, is that awning something you bought, or made? If bought, do you have the source?

webers3 · June 2019

Bought $15 Keder rail strip, $5 5x8 tarp, $40 adjustable tent poles. Attached the Keder rail strip to the tarp. Will include pics once I have chance to try it in the field.

ChanW · June 2019

I think there are a couple of sizes, ie: diameters, for kedar rail 'rope', so be sure you check the rail's gap on the Tab!

rkj__ · June 2019

When my wife and I first got our T@b, I really thought I would want an awning. I also found any available options to be too expensive. I considered DIY options, but never got going on anything.

Ultimately, I found that for most trips, we really value short setups and tear downs, since we rarely stay at the same spot very long. So, we never did get anything to slide into the Keder rail.

When bugs, rain, or intense sun are factors, we have a standalone screen tent we sometimes set up. We probably set it up about 35% of the time.

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@webers3 this sounds like what I might do for a first run

@rkj__ Yeah I hear you about fast setup/breakdown.. this is why I will likely keep my "cook shack" for bigger things I will be there a while .. (it has 6' poles so it's kinda big and the canvas weighs #40 or so.) but will try some DIY awning I can use for just popping about.. I don't think an awning would be a huge time setup. and I just like the idea of having even a bit of shelter over the door so I an avoid rain getting in...

seajeeper · June 2019

Homemade. Bought the Keder rail strip and lightweight silicon coated tent material. Rolls up to about 30" long and 5" diameter including the poles.

Yes, on the sports team reference, Go Hawks is for the Seattle Seahawks :-)

Awning works great unless it is really hot out, then it tends to trap the heat. We use a standard 10x10 white canopy with no sides when it is really hot out.

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@seajeeper Thanks for the info.. and about the "traps the heat" mention.

I might just get a strip or two and play.. do you recall the size for the strip? 8mm?

webers3 · June 2019

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010G1AXZO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

pthomas745 · June 2019

Here is a thread on the Keder rail. There is some "windage" in the numbers.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/4918/kedder-rail

I discovered these "Tarp Clips" a year ago or so. Just a simple poly tube with some paracord and a washer. There are many uses of these in the keder rail. I've hung my flexible solar panel, dried clothes, etc. When I camp in the desert, I have also hung a Shade Sail or a tarp on the driver's side of the trailer and staked it out to help shade the trailer on that side. I use ball bungees to help make the connection. It would easily make an awning with just some painter's poles, etc. (May not be the best thing in the rain, however!)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/-/251934547549

I have a regular awning and I've used these Shark Clips to connect shade cloth to it for additional privacy or sun protection. With ball bungees, of course!

https://www.amazon.com/PROGRIP-907040-Shark-Camping-Extension/dp/B0066K529W/ref=asc_df_B0066K529W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309835935493&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10517793213975041369&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031072&hvtargid=pla-569972065641&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60510211326&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309835935493&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10517793213975041369&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031072&hvtargid=pla-569972065641

seajeeper · June 2019

8.5mm (5/16") is what I ordered

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P6O8LRE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@seajeeper Thanks!

ScottG · June 2019

After four seasons of use I can say the PahaQue awning, though pricey, is an excellent combination of functionality and simplicity. However, making your own probably wouldn't be all that complicated as it is basically a big rectangle with a keder rail sewn on one side, a loop for the pole on the other, and a number of attached webbing straps in strategic places. It would be a fair amount of work, and of course you would need the right materials and probably a heavy duty sewing machine to work with them. Whether it would be worth the trouble to save a few hundred bucks is up to you--seajeeper apparently though so and came up with a really nice design!

Although we shelled out for the PahaQue awning, we did expand its functionality with a homemade mesh panel front and a skirt that fits in the lower keder rail. We don't use these items very often, but they do create a very passable screen room when the bugs get a little too thick.

db_cooper · June 2019

This works well, and is cheap and versatile. Can also easily use with the tow vehicle. I know you're looking to full time, so it might not be a good fit. We only put it up when it's definitely going to rain.

I wanted to use the keder rail, but it sounded fiddly. I'm sure it's fine once you have a system. I can tie this off to the back rack and front platform in a jiffy though.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/jb/kpz7ox5lyq2k.jpg

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@db_cooper I can't quite make out the brand name there. may I know the make/model? that looks like a good solution

Sharon_is_SAM · June 2019

That is a King Camp available on Amazon. Also Hasika and Laputa.

Travelin3D · June 2019

But if I'm reading the post right, it's doesn't actually use the keder rail?

DigitalSorceress · June 2019

@Travelin3D it doesn't look like it.. I'm not "married to the Keder rail" personally.. just was looking for ideas.

Sharon_is_SAM · June 2019

I am adding this info here from @Sboatcruise who is selling his TaB, but had a nice idea for a side tent/awning from King Camp.

Amazon King Camp auto side canopy for minivan, MPV, SUV. It is 10’8” x 8’2”. The directions are not very good so it took some time to figure out how to set it up. Put the two long, bungeed cross poles through the sleeves and into the top corners and then place the cross-pole side to side across the top. Next, attach the front poles. Then lean the edge with the large bungees cords up against the TaB and run the bungee cords with some extensions over the top of the TAB and hook them to the driver-side fender well. You can leave the sides down or roll them up which is how they are in the photo. There are poles for the corners that hold it up on the side away from the trailer. There is a good video on the King Camp site. It comes in a small bag which is only a little less than 2 ft. long and fits nicely in the TaB under bench storage.

webers3 · July 2019

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/gm/76jskwjadak9.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/n7/7cgc2ierzou7.jpeg

My $50+ DIY solution using Keder rail, tarp and tent poles. Worked pretty well although I think I should have gotten a longer tarp along the Keder. Was a bit floppy in the wind as there is nothing supporting the middle.

SWickersham · July 2019

We put a adjustable painter pole in the middle with a guy rope. We also sewed a pocket along the front of the tarp and put a elastic backpacking tent pole in it gave it more stiffness for form.

Jackie_Dave · July 2019

This is the "KingCamp Awning Sun Shelter XL (13' x 16') from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B635CM6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/tn/exx7ycfugw6t.jpg

I sewed keder roping along the blue fabric on the wider end so we could tie down the "wings" if necessary. In the photo, the white "wings" are rolled up so a breeze can pass thru. We put it to use while camping in the Adirondacks and it worked like a charm. There are grommets about 2/3's the way towards the poles that we tied down to create a valley for rain water to run off and lowered the two outside poles. When this one finally wears out, I'll probably do it all over again. Just use a sewing needle in your machine for denim and it sews beautifully.

DIY awning /tent ideas..

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