DIY awning using a tarp

[jakofin]

Hello. My name is Julie and I am new here. My husband and I seriously considered getting a Hiker Trailer, but ended up getting a Bak-Pak. I love it, but we haven't camped in it yet!

For a little personal intro...we have 2 kids, who aren't kids anymore...24yo & 26yo, So we have an empty nest. We used to camp in a pop-up, but quit about 9 years ago. My husband and I really wanted to find a common pastime, since we have such different interests....and camping is what we both really like! We have 2 camping weekends scheduled and I can't wait!

Now to my question.....our Bak-Pak didn't come with an awning, but has an awning track. We want to try a cheaper option than buying a new awning, like using a tarp. We could get a very cheap tarp, but I know they won't hold up very well. Would this work: using a better tarp, like this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FKOE4OI/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3U0POL7IT4VS5.

I'm trying to think through how best to attach it. Here are a few ideas:
1. use the diy tarp hangers and attach to the grommets, or in the above tarp, tabs. The problem is there are only 3-4 tabs, which I don't think is enough. And how do you attach to the tab? carabiner? And how to attach it without leaving a gap between awning track and tarp?
2. Add more grommets/tabs myself.
3. Add an awning welt cord to edge of tarp.
4. Use tarp clamps. This also has the problem of the gap.

Any great ideas, advice, etc for me? Of course, we will use poles with guy lines to hold it up.

I have searched this forum and read about diy awning ideas, which was helpful! This is where I first saw the idea of the diy tarp awning hangers, but I haven't seen anybody mention the ripstop silnylon type tarps to use for awnings. Are they durable enough?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas!

Julie

[booyah]

I dont really have anything to contribute, but I will be watching this thread.

I love my little tear, but I would REALLY love some small awnings for the sides. I haven't done anything yet as I can't figure out where to start

Best of luck with this though!

[TimC]

Here's another option... I bought the awning rope and the Flex-a-rail to mount an awning on my TD. These don't include the tarp, but, looks like you found those already. I haven't installed or designed it yet, but, it may give you some ideas...

http://www.sailrite.com/Awning-Rope-Black-Vinyl

And here's some other offerings from Sailrite.com

http://www.sailrite.com/search?keywords=awning

Good luck!

[ae6black]

TimC I like it. hadn't really thought about a side awning but this would work perfectly.

Art

[TimC]

TimC I like it. hadn't really thought about a side awning but this would work perfectly.

Art

I wasn't sure if the t&ttt folks were aware of these items that are available. I hadn't seen anyone referring to this type of mounting brackets. My awning will eventually be mounted on the galley hatch and cover about a foot on each side and about eight feet behind the TD. It will be used mostly for bug free days when I don't want to use my screen tent...

[Shadow Catcher]

We have three tarps and three sides of Compass Rose have Kedar rail. Two are Kelty Car Tarps (no longer available) and one is a custom made for us by Pahaque Design. We recently added mosquito netting to it. In each case the tear side of the tarps a 6' wide and widen out. the custom tarp is 14' wide at the widest and 14' long. The ends can be dropped for wind or rain.

[drhill]

Hi Julie, did you check out this thread:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65330&start=15

I started by sewing up a prototype using some canvas from an old boat tarp and then sewed up the final product with some coated nylon from a local fabric store.

[jakofin]

Just wanted to give an update on what we decided to do. My husband was able to get a 6'x9' piece of vinyl (used for a sign at work) for free. I sewed an awning welt cord to the edge. My sewing machine wouldn't sew it properly, so I hand-sewed it on. That was time consuming! Then we bought some tarp poles/guy lines from Cabelas. We are going camping this weekend to try it out. Hope it works okay!

In the future, I want to get something better, but free and cheap is great for now...at least until we can decide what we want.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[rebapuck]

I have used awning slugs attached to grommets in a tarp. Only drawback is the awning stands away from the camper a bit.

[GuitarPhotog]

I use a 12ft X 16ft tarp to create a large dry area over my galley by attaching one side of the tarp to the teardrop, pulling it over the galley hatch, and then putting tarp poles under the open end.



It works well so long as the wind isn't blowing directly into the open side. In that case, it's a total disaster ;-)

<Chas>