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Awning Project: R177 (2013)

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Kingskerswell View Drop Down
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Joined: 02 Oct 2018
Location: Kelowna BC
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    Posted: 18 Feb 2019 at 2:45am

We like the dome tent that we have for 3+ day campouts but for short stays and also for those times when there is just not enough space thought that it would be nice to have a simple tarp type awning. Did not want a poly tarp as they only seem to last 2 years of use so purchased a 10'x12' canvas tarp and got a local commercial sewing facility to sew in a 1/4” nylon braided cord. Not being content with just dragging tarp covered rope through the rail I found that standard 3/8” (ID) Pex water tubing (1/2” OD) fits the 9/16” ID rail quite nicely. Unfortunately, although FR uses countersunk head screws to fasten the track to the trailer they don't countersink the holes in the track so the inside of this track has a series of screw heads impeding anything that gets pulled through. I removed the screws, countersunk all the holes in the track and put the screws back in. The next job was to modify the Pex tubing to add a saw cut along its length. This was achieved by making up a 10' long wooden 'U' channel holding jig that would accept the tubing within the 'U' after application of double sided tape to hold it in place to enable a safe and straight saw cut through just one of the walls. This worked really well. With a little chamfer fettling on each end the corded tarp was inserted into the Pex sleeve and slid along the edge of the tarp. Very pleased with the result, the only downside that I can see is the need to remove the Pex tubing from the tarp for stowing and travel. The pictures below depict the steps described above. Although I know the tarp/rope/Pex will fit the track we still have too much snow here yet for a complete trial fit and final picture release.

uploads/5689/IMG_0829.JPGuploads/5689/IMG_0830.JPGuploads/5689/IMG_0831.JPG

Costs so far = $88:

Canvas Tarp $40 (Amazon)

1/4” x 16' braided nylon rope $8 (Home Depot)

Sewing rope into tarp $15

3/8” x10' Pex tubing $5 (Home Depot)

Two collapsable tent poles (Amazon-yet to be purchased) $20

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