Homemade Awning for 2021 320 Boondock

BywaysNW · October 2020

Tried it out at Oregon coast this weekend. No pooling or leaks after a rainy night. Looks like a keeper.

PNWtabber · October 2020

That's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing, @BywaysNW.

sptucker · October 2020

Love it. I did not realize you could buy Keder "rope" -- great idea for a simple shade provider!

BywaysNW · October 2020

Amazon has it. Doesn't cost much.

PNWtabber · October 2020

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!

BywaysNW · October 2020

I have had the same thought about a rain fly. Don't see why not.

NotYourGuy · October 2020

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.

BywaysNW · October 2020

In case anyone is wondering, the Keder rope is on the 13-foot side of my tarp.

BywaysNW · October 2020

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.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ym/28ziwrzoshht.jpg

pthomas745 · October 2020

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.

BywaysNW · October 2020

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.

Jackie_Dave · October 2020

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.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ub/7cj5zk3p0d2r.png

MarkAl · October 2020

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.

ontheroad · October 2020

There's an awning on the FB [email protected] 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!

Tampakayaker · October 2020

MarkAl said:

Since I had access to a gear driven sewing machine and other items,

That's what you need to successfully make an awning.

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.

PNWtabber · October 2020

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 [email protected]

Tampakayaker · October 2020

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 [email protected]

I bet they would welcome any work the way the economy is going.

BywaysNW · October 2020

We have outdoor gear repair shops that should be able to the job as well.

Jeansor · October 2020

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.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/d1/muy7lwdoaqpq.jpg

Verna · October 2020

@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!)

PNWtabber · October 2020

@Jeansor -- I like your version very much.

MarkAl · October 2020

@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?

Jeansor · October 2020

@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.

PNWtabber · October 2020

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?

Verna · October 2020

@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.

PNWtabber · October 2020

Thanks (again) @Verna. I assumed it would be inserted at the end, oops.

Verna · October 2020

@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.

PNWtabber · October 2020

@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!!

Verna · October 2020

@PNWtabber, yes, I have two visors, but I have not used both of them at the same time.

PNWtabber · October 2020

@Verna are visors effective against rain or are they primarily for shade?

Verna · October 2020

Both, rain and shade. But, they are only 6’ from the [email protected] on out.

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Homemade Awning for 2021 320 Boondock

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