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markn View Drop Down
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    Posted: 15 Aug 2009 at 5:27pm

Has anyone looked into putting an after market awning on their R-Pod?  Just picked up a 175 for my folks and I just don't think they can handle putting up the tent.  It looks like you could put a 10' awning that would start at the front edge of the door.  It would really be nice to have a roll-out awning even if it didn't give you the area of a full size camper.  Seems like something small would be better than nothing.

 
Thanks!
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Mary & Don View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mary & Don Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2009 at 7:15am
I agree.  I miss having a regular awning.  We did purchase an EZY UP Canopy which is faster to put up than the screen room.  If possible, I would definitely prefer a regular awning but have not checked into it at this time.
Mary & Don
R-Pod 175
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2009 at 12:10pm
I too am very interested in this idea but, I have not investigated the possibility, yet.  Being able to keep the area in front of the door dry and clean (especially with a dog) is a big plus...not to mention the shade.  Having had an awning like that before, I know they are very easy to deploy/set up and doesn't make a 5'5" guy like me carry a step ladder.  In fact, I almost bought a different make of camper because the RP didn't have an awning (really)!
 
I am going camping (again) this weekend but, as soon as I keep myself home, I am going to try a "mock up" with the 7-8' awning off of my Coleman Taos.  10' may work, but I think the awning will need to be a given distance above the door to avoid the door dragging on the awning.  A nice retractable awning (like on many RVs) will need to lay flat against the RP, when retracted, to keep from flapping when going down the road.
 
I'll let you know what I find.  If someone else solves the problem first, please post.
 
David - RP173 
Hope to see you "out there"

David - weird guy with a wolf
Dixie - German Shepherd
RP173 - "Campground Assault Vehicle 1"
2009 Silverado 5.3L V8
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markn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote markn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2009 at 1:14pm
David,
 
You hit on a good point.  I bet the distance above the door is going to be an issue since the canopy will angle down when open.  Mary and Don might have the only solution - that being a free standing canopy.
 
I'm going to take some measurements later this week and see if I can think of any other solutions.
 
I guess you can't have everything.  Still a pretty cool camper.
 
Thanks for the input.
 
Mark
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yizit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2009 at 7:42pm
I checked into a regular awning and no one makes one to fit.  I called a couple of awning dealers and got the same answer.  I even asked about a window awning, which would at least cover the door, but couldn't get it in a length to roll out far enough.  A pop-up style awning could be an option, but would have to be specially made.  If anyone finds one, please let me know.  I am going to look into adding some extenders on our EZ-UP to get it high enough to reach the top of the Pod.  I even tried using a super large golf umbrella to attach it to the side of the Pod to use for rainy days, but that didn't work either.  So...settled for the EZ-UP.  Not the best solution, but the easiest to put up.
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gmandual Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2009 at 8:05pm
What length dimensions are you looking for that you think will work for an awning?   In the past had found a smaller awning that I attached to the side of my tent trailer.  Can go back and see if I still have the companies name.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Outbound Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2009 at 2:41am
When I had my tent trailer, I purchased a replacement awning from Bear Creek Canvas (http://bearcreekcanvas.com).  Unlike modern trailers, my tent trailer didn't have a bag awning, so Bear Creek provided me with a simple, elegant (and very durable) replacement: a vinyl awning with a plastic ridge to fit in the c-channel, extending poles, guy ropes and stakes.  Setup was very simple: insert the awning's edge in the c-channel on the tent trailer, raise the poles, attach guy ropes and stake it in.  Setup was five minutes.  When it was time to take it down, I'd remove the stakes, pull the awning out of the c-channel, roll everything up and put it away in the trailer - again, a five minute exercise.  The same type of product may work well with the r-pod...
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2009 at 2:35pm

You all made me go out tonight in the hot sun and do a quick dirty "mock up" with a 7' awning off of my Coleman popup.  I'm going to try to attach a picture.  This is how it would look in the existing "C" channel.  The door opened freely with no rubbing.  In fact, it could have probably been lowered some.  A wider awning could be used but, would definately need to be removed from the channel before traveling.  If you want more details, let me know.  Personally, I want a retractable, self storing awning (typical on many motorhomes & RVs).  I have a couple of ideas, but am going to refrain until I am certain it will work.  I'll keep you posted.

Sorry...it will not let me upload the picture - says the file is too large.
David - RP173
Hope to see you "out there"

David - weird guy with a wolf
Dixie - German Shepherd
RP173 - "Campground Assault Vehicle 1"
2009 Silverado 5.3L V8
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Outbound Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2009 at 3:07pm
David, what's your best guess as to how wide an awning could/should be?
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2009 at 3:22am

If you are wanting to go with a popup style awning, my answer would be: "how much rippling of the awning are you willing to accept."  At 7', in the existing C channel, the awning extends down the curvature of the roof.  Since it is flat/horizontal at the far end of the awning, the fabric wants to "ripple" or wave near the camper (not lay completely smooth).  This might be compensated for by predrilling thumbscrews/set screws at both ends of the C channel, pulling the awning tight in the channel, and tightening the set screws.  Alternately, the awning might be cut to roughly 6' +or- (this would give minimal downward curvature/minimal ripple).  The whole awning could be cut to a 6' wide rectangle or just 6' at the camper/C channel - fanning out to the width of the available awning, at the far end.  Of course, any of the above still requires the use of a ladder to install and remove with each use - just like the r-dome.  I did not do any cutting on my awning to test the above, but I think it would be fairly straight forward.  I recommend replacing the oval headed screws (attaching the C channel to the RP) with flat headed stainless steel or galvanized.  The protruding screw heads make inserting in the channel extremely difficult. If you (anyone) would like a picture of my "mock up", e-mail me at: deunderh@sbcglobal.net.  In this case, a picture really is worth a 1000 words.

David - RP173

Hope to see you "out there"

David - weird guy with a wolf
Dixie - German Shepherd
RP173 - "Campground Assault Vehicle 1"
2009 Silverado 5.3L V8
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