DIY awning

DIY http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/build-your-own-canopy.html

TucsonJim wrote:
I'd just use a tarp, poles and rope.

That's what I did until I broke down and bought the pulldown. And carried it all right on the awning rail. I bought one of those cheapo "shelters" like the one at this link. It comes with stakes and poles of course- and take my word for it, you'll see them on sale pretty soon for about thirty bucks.

To attach, and assuming you too have an awning rail already on the trailer:
I just used a piece of spline through the rail/tarp to hold the fabric on, then rolled the legs etc. up inside that and tied the bundle off when underway.

Worked great!

I do like the convenience of the pulldown I have now, BUT now that I think of it:

I had a lot more shaded room with that old arrangement- my present tiny trailer can only accommodate about a 9X7 pulldown, but the more cumbersome homemade one gave me 12x12!

Why not get a stand alone canopy and you can use it anyplace or with any RV you get in the future.

I'd just use a tarp, poles and rope.

well the reason behind it is that i only paid $1000 for the TT and can not justify spending the same on an awning when one can be made for a hole lot less!!

We have camped alot at ELKMONT in the Smoky Mtn Natl Park and it is sometimes like a rain forest in there. When it rains the trees drip water for days...

Alot of us would use a 30X20 TARP and put over the whole trailer. It would come down close to the back side and get staked off with short straps. The front side would extend out eight feet or so and make a real nice awning cover. We would use four TENT POLES from WALMART and tie off down to the ground in the front.

The whole front of the trailer would have real nice awning.

This can removed in just a few minutes if a wind storm was approaching if you are using ratchet type 1/2-inch straps verses rope. I used the screw in 3-inch by 18-inch long Earth anchors for the tent poles tie downs. They leave no marks in the dirt when removed.

POOR MAN Awning for sure haha... Also created a nice small area on the back side of the trailer to stack up firewood and keep dry. Everything is always nice and cozy under a tent tarp.

Roy Ken

Make a thin insulated one, and I'm in !

You can certainly buy the fabric on eBay for about $120. But making a roller system for it would be difficult.

Why re-invent the wheel? There are several makers of awnings for trailers that can be purchased. I can't imagine you could make one yourself that would work satisfactorly and still be less expensive.
Barney