Alternatives to free standing/perm, attchd shade structure?
I'm about ready to ditch my HEAVY, EZ-UP shade structure that I carry with me on my trips. It's just too heavy and is only water resistant.
I've looked at some of the lighter ones like the wings and the shock-corded ones but have nixed most due to either poor construction or extremely pricey.
I had this one idea but need help analyzing whether it is feasible and, if it is, how I would get the parts.
It goes like this. I'd love to find some thin, smooth "bolts" with a welded, washer-like base. The end of the "bolts" would have a hole drilled that a hitch pin could pass through.
With 3-4 of these adhered to each side of my camper roof, I could then attach a heavy duty, brown/silver tarp with grommets to these "bolts" and the hitch pins would keep the tarp in place.
On the ground side of the tarp, I'd go with 2-3 adjustable, tent poles with a thin, top post that would go through the grommets. These would, of course, have to be anchored to the ground with line and stakes.........but I am OK with that as we camp so infrequently on surfaces that would resist that.
The whole thing would probably cost less than 50 bucks and would probably weigh around 10-15 lbs. It would also roll up to a lot smaller than most other options.
Is this idea feasible? It would be pretty easy to drop the poles in a big wind and secure the tarp against the rig with chairs or an ice chest. Just leave the stakes in for when the wind passes. And those silver tarps ARE pretty waterproof.
I have an aluminum roof so I am intrigued by these new adhesives they are using to attach solar panel mounts to roofs.
The item I am having trouble locating are these "bolts" with the flat base and the hole for the hitch pins. I dont even know what to call these; hence the term "bolts" with the quotes.
Any suggestions on the design or where to secure these "bolts"?
I've looked at some of the lighter ones like the wings and the shock-corded ones but have nixed most due to either poor construction or extremely pricey.
I had this one idea but need help analyzing whether it is feasible and, if it is, how I would get the parts.
It goes like this. I'd love to find some thin, smooth "bolts" with a welded, washer-like base. The end of the "bolts" would have a hole drilled that a hitch pin could pass through.
With 3-4 of these adhered to each side of my camper roof, I could then attach a heavy duty, brown/silver tarp with grommets to these "bolts" and the hitch pins would keep the tarp in place.
On the ground side of the tarp, I'd go with 2-3 adjustable, tent poles with a thin, top post that would go through the grommets. These would, of course, have to be anchored to the ground with line and stakes.........but I am OK with that as we camp so infrequently on surfaces that would resist that.
The whole thing would probably cost less than 50 bucks and would probably weigh around 10-15 lbs. It would also roll up to a lot smaller than most other options.
Is this idea feasible? It would be pretty easy to drop the poles in a big wind and secure the tarp against the rig with chairs or an ice chest. Just leave the stakes in for when the wind passes. And those silver tarps ARE pretty waterproof.
I have an aluminum roof so I am intrigued by these new adhesives they are using to attach solar panel mounts to roofs.
The item I am having trouble locating are these "bolts" with the flat base and the hole for the hitch pins. I dont even know what to call these; hence the term "bolts" with the quotes.
Any suggestions on the design or where to secure these "bolts"?
