Today I collected my new purpose designed sun canopy from the Sail / Tapaulin makers who ran it up for me.
Made of lorry side curtain material its tough as old boots, 3m x 2.5m storm proof lightweight and exactly what I needed. Total cost including poles and guys less than £75 quid. To locate it round the poles it has heavy duty brass eyes. Its in plain cream but you can get a variety of colours.
If I ever figure out how to post a piccy on here I will do so after the maiden erection!
These may soon appear on ebay at a competitive price!
Sounds a good bit of kit. Very interested in seeing photos. Also interested in the price. Praying for good weather for the weekend for you. Likewise, praying for good weather for us - we are running a rally at a beer festival in Oxfordshire.
Quote: Originally posted by tracey70 on 14/7/2010
Good luck with your erection on Saturday, it sounds like a fair tool you have there! Can't wait to see the pics!
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by tracey70 on 14/7/2010
Good luck with your erection on Saturday, it sounds like a fair tool you have there! Can't wait to see the pics!
Thank God, I thought it was just my mind that worked that way....
On a serious note, how does it connect to the caravan? Did they sew on something to go in the awning rail?
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Can you fit it in the awning rail as new, or will you need a lubricant? Have you ever tried the dry lubricant? Apparently it makes less mess.
Hope the weather stays fine for you. I understand it may a bit breezy. I find that too much wind during the erection can really spoil my day. Sometimes its best to put a couple of pegs in it, just to hold it down. One time in Cornwall it got out of hand, and it shot right over the top of the van! Some of the marks are still there, I almost feel sorry for the people that bought that 'van off us.
I'm impressed with you having brass eyelets fitted to it. Just be careful that there are no sharp edges, you could hurt yourself when you run your hands over it. No amount of lubrication will help that!
All in all, it sounds like a real heavy duty one. I wish I had one like that.
Fancy people thinking this thread was about nookie it never crossed my mind!
It has the same stuff stiched to it as an awning to go in the rail strax. The guy who made it reckons the suppliers of awning rail stuff don't want to supply him as they'd rather sell awnings. I suggested he get some awning skirt which is cheap enough per metre and cut it down and bond it to the material if he couldn't get hold of the proper stuff. On mine its the proper stuff.
I reckon I need to find some kind of cap with a retaining screw to go over the pole and fit over the hole in teh material to keep it from lifting off the pole. It will have to be guyed using two ropes per pole. Any ideas about some suitable retainer would be well received.
I may even be pursuaded to divulge the name of the supplier!
On a serious note though I would use plenty of dry lubricant to make sure it has a clean, swift entry.......along the awning rail (for all you dirty minded people out there!).
Have you got someone to help you with your maiden erection as my husband finds it best if I give him a hand as he tires quite easily, with all the lifting and pulling etc.(you know the old saying....2 hands are better than 1.)
Make sure your hands are nice and smooth to prevent chaffing aswell.
There are currently high winds in our area and if these persist I may have to postpone the maiden erection.
If it can proceed on Saturday I will be ably assisted by SWMBO who is very adept and fitting things in the correct places. The awning slides in and out without the need for lubricant so I am confident the sunshade will do the same.
Erection successfully completed! It took 10 minutes to fully erect a further hour to acquire the materials and carry out modifications and the end result was totally satisfactory.
Additional costs incurred 7.99 for a 3rd pole and 8.49 for a 3m lenght of copper pipe to act as bracing between the front poles.
If anyone wants to see the pics send an email here
looks good...i was searching ebay for something similar but without luck. got sun burned a couple of weekends on the trot and wanted some shade, we now use our pateo umbreller. would like one of these.
Ours is a prototype and its going back tomorrow to the guy who will make a couple of modifications:-
1. Make the channel on the front wide enough so it will accept the copper stiffener
2. Put a brass hole thing on both sides of the modified front channel so that the copper stiffening pole will slide through and still take the spikes from the poles.
3. Add a hem to both edges so that they are stronger
4. Put a brass hole thing midway down both newly hemmed edges so that its possible to place a pole to stop drooping and add strength during windy periods.
5. Consider providing a canvas bag to hold the whole thing when not on the van.
Target retail price something like 110 to 120 quid?
Does anyone think this is too expensive given the quality of construction?
All views are welcomed.
Just for the record I'll make no money out of this, I'll just get a purpose designed sunshade. Others may get an affordable sunshade which is cheap'ish and durable!
If you don't think this is a good idea please say so as this will save adverts on ebay for something no-one wants if that is the case.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Erection on saturday weather permitting!
Thank God, I thought it was just my mind that worked that way....
