Oasis Maker wrote:Nathan, that's a fantastic application and your Lowe's find is like gold! I used what I already had inherited with the mounting brackets that came with my AutoUmbrella's, and although it's rock solid, no doubt it is also heavy.
Your idea opens up a new and simple modification that I will certainly explore. As Slowcowboy said, it will be nice to do away with the canopy clamps, and for me, my AutoUmbrella poles. My current set up is rock solid in very high winds, and with the wood block under the clamps, the unit tightens securely as it would on the underside of a picnic table... but I think it is a bit overkill.
I've pulled up the Lowe's page for the brackets you are using. Did you do the angle welds yourself? Because I can barely see your weld lines if you did... well done. I'll check back later.
Scott G.
Thanks Scott.
Yes, I did the welding (the "receivers" under the frame aren't quite as purty but they are strong").
After one outing (and packing them) I would probably make some changes.
1 - 36" piece of 1 1/4" slotted tube was chopped into 4 pieces. 2 - 12" pieces for the vertical upright to receive the original awning pole. 2 - 6" pieces for the frame receivers.
3 - 36" pieces on 1" slotted tube. 2 full 36" pieces I cut a 45 degree angle on both ends. 1 - 36" piece I cut into 2 18" piece to make the horizontal that slides into the frame receivers ( 6" long 1 1/2" pieces mentioned above.
I kept the bottom of the 12" vertical pieces clear so one could slide the original support all the way through if desired. So I welded one 45 degree cut end to the side of the 12" vertical piece. I did pretty much the same on the other end for the horizontal mounting bracket.
Observations:
I don't need the full 18" horizontal pieces to mount to frame receivers. I will be chopping them down at least 6" and perhaps more. I don't see a need to have the awning pushed out away from side of trailer. Removing some length would make it a bit lighter but more importantly easier to pack.
Edited to make things more concise.
I would modify my current setup so each end's bracket would have three different pieces that would pin together to assemble. This would require purchasing another section of 1 1/4" slotted tube.
This would break down into much smaller package that would fit into the factory bag and make packing so much easier. With the cargo conversion we can nest the current setup up under the galley and back bench. If we were in the teardrop the only place would be to throw them on the bed.
Here's a quick sketch:
The 1" piece labeled optional would not have to be slotted tube - it could be solid tube with appropriate holes drilled in either end. It would be cheaper option than the slotted tube.
Edited 20100425 to correct size of larger tube. It is 1 1/4" NOT 1 1/2"