Homemade Awning for 2021 320 Boondock
BywaysNW
Member Posts: 71
Tried it out at Oregon coast this weekend. No pooling or leaks after a rainy night. Looks like a keeper.
Comments
-
That's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing, @BywaysNW.2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
Love it. I did not realize you could buy Keder "rope" -- great idea for a simple shade provider!
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
Amazon has it. Doesn't cost much.
-
I have a tent that has seen better days, I've been considering whether I could repurpose the rain fly. This has given me food for thought!2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
I have had the same thought about a rain fly. Don't see why not.
-
This is most excellent. Giving me an idea to "deconstruct" a family tent and put the keder rope in for a DIY attached annex room.
-
In case anyone is wondering, the Keder rope is on the 13-foot side of my tarp.
-
Leftover Keder rope with stapler, Speedystitcher (for the more patient and less lazy camper), and a rope hanger made from a short piece of Keder rope. Sailright and Keder websites - and Youtube, of course - have videos on sewing Keder rope.
-
How did your "speedy stitcher" work? My only hangup about buying some Keder and setting up an awning to shade the "driver's" side of the trailer is my lack of sewing skills.
2017 Outback
Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi -
I did a foot or two on a piece of Keder rope. It's not difficult and there are some good videos. May try replacing staples when it gets dark and rainy and distanced.
-
We added a middle pole and lowered the two corner poles. It seems to work a little better. It keeps the shape more in line with the roofline of the tab.

2018 T@B 320-S / 2007 Toyota Tundra
Harpers Ferry, WV -
The picture isn't pretty (rainy) but I had some fiberglass tent poles I put together and created a tube in the opposite edge of the keder rail, same length as the what was in the rail. Then sewed tabs & put grommets in for 4 ropes. After inserting the fiberglass pole I cut up some old canopy poles to create 2 poles, one at the highest point and one 1/2 to the back. Tied down all 4 ropes - didn't need to use poles on the ends just the rope. The structure doesn't require the two middle ropes unless it rains as it keeps the awning tauter. I also installed two grommets on the ends by the keder rail as pull downs but haven't used them yet. It does create a tauter awning but it puts significantly more tension in the awning that other than looks is not needed.
Since I had access to a gear driven sewing machine and other items, this cost me only for the 12 ft of keder rope and 4 yrds of coated nylon (only went 60 inches ) or about $50.
I haven't added it yet but planning on 2 tabs one by lower pole and other at the keder rail. I'll then run a line with loops between for coat hangers... Obviously if I do this it will require me to secure the pole with a rope.
Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
managed by VE Smart Network -
There's an awning on the FB T@b Camping Trailers called the "Boud Awning"...after my window awning projects..have 3 fabrics...might get ready to tackle it...although by that time I'll be waiting for the snow to melt!Former 2017 T@G Max XL
2021 T@B Boondock CS-S
2018 Nissan Pathfinder
Ontario, Canada -
That's what you need to successfully make an awning.MarkAl said:
Since I had access to a gear driven sewing machine and other items,
The newer computerized all plastic sewing machines will choke on the material and keder rope, or strip the plastic gears.
We found an old all metal Kenmore to add to my wife's stable of 8 or 9 various sewing, embroidery, and overlock machines.
All it needed was oiling and a new drive belt.2006 RAM 1500 4 door, 2016 T@B 320 MAX S
Tampa FL -
We have a number of sailmakers in the Puget Sound area, I wonder if any of them would take a stab at making a PNW-appropriate awning for T@Bs.2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
I bet they would welcome any work the way the economy is going.PNWtabber said:We have a number of sailmakers in the Puget Sound area, I wonder if any of them would take a stab at making a PNW-appropriate awning for T@Bs.2006 RAM 1500 4 door, 2016 T@B 320 MAX S
Tampa FL -
We have outdoor gear repair shops that should be able to the job as well.
-
I used my home sewing machine (a Husqvarna/Viking Platinum) with Coats & Clark Outdoor sewing thread available at Joann Fabrics. I attached the rope (single flap Keder) to one long edge of the King Camp Compass. No sewing skills are really needed, it's just a simple straight stitch, nothing fancy.
2013 Nissan Frontier
2020 T@B 320 S Boondock Edge: Sm@lls -
@Jeansor, I bought one of those canopies with hopes of attaching it to the Keder rail. Thanks, as yours is the first one I have seen attached. I am not a seamstress by any means but I will try. (Give me a scrollsaw and I could cut out a replica of the canopy!)Verna, Columbus, IN
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck” -
@Jeansor -- I like your version very much.2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
@Jeansor I agree it looks good. To figure the cut line did you back it into the trailer (somehow) and draw a line where the Keder rope would go? Do the ribs individually come out?
Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
managed by VE Smart Network -
@MarkAl I just sewed onto the edge of the canopy. No cutting or adjustments were made. Here's a picture during set up - with my "helper"
The rope on the canopy is fed into the Keder rail, and then the cross poles are attached via clips on the top of the canopy.
2013 Nissan Frontier
2020 T@B 320 S Boondock Edge: Sm@lls -
Keder question from a naïve newbie. This is a photo of the rear passenger side of my trailer. Please help me understand how this works.
- I am assuming the silver metal at #1 is the Keder rail.
- If you are attaching something like an awning, does the black insert (#2) get removed or ????
- And, finally at #3, it looks like the previous owners had some damage here that has slightly deformed the rail, will that cause a problem in attaching anything?

2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
@PNWtabber, remove the rubber insert and, seriously, toss it. It has served its purpose.The wide spot is where you start inserting the Keder rail rope. It needs a wide spot or else you can’t insert the rope.Verna, Columbus, IN
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck” -
Thanks (again) @Verna. I assumed it would be inserted at the end, oops.2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
@PNWtabber, we all had to learn that. By the way, you may not have the same wide spot on the driver’s side. Pick up welding pliers at Harbor Freight and they will make a large enough spot to start the Keder rope.Verna, Columbus, IN
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck” -
@Verna do you have an awning on both sides?
I purchased my trailer used from a private party, during covid isolation, so my questions are endless!!
2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
@PNWtabber, yes, I have two visors, but I have not used both of them at the same time.Verna, Columbus, IN
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck” -
@Verna are visors effective against rain or are they primarily for shade?2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman -
Both, rain and shade. But, they are only 6’ from the T@B on out.Verna, Columbus, IN
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
Categories
- All Categories
- 10 Cirrus Truck Campers
- 118 Dutchman and Vintage TaB Archives
- 3 Forum Rules
- 3 nüCamp & Forum Contacts
- 950 Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
- 2.6K Battery/Electrical & Solar
- 1.2K Camping & Travel
- 142 Events & News
- 219 Factory Comments
- 19 "FOR SALE" - New/Used Trailers
- 15 “FOR SALE" - Camping & Trailer Gear
- 2.4K Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
- 136 Help - Computer & System
- 916 Introductions
- 407 Looking to purchase a trailer?
- 2.1K Modifications & Upgrades
- 1.4K Products and Accessories
- 402 Service/Maintenance & Recall Notices
- 37 Solo Travelers Hints & Tips
- 1 T@G Forum
- 72 Teardrop Groups & Links
- 77 Testimonials
- 914 Tips & Tricks
- 1.5K Trailer & Towing
- 27 Owners Manuals/PDF Files/Videos & Resources
- 62 üCamp Rally - News & Information







