Our EuroVan Awning

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Couldn't find an awning we liked, so we made our own.

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Exploring NA
Our finely crafted EuroVan awning

swag lamp

 

If you look closely you will see our matching 12 volt, dimmer controlled swag lamp.

This is our awning. It is constructed of lightweight (waterproofed) cotton and has an internal aluminium frame. It fastens to the van with two shock cords and needs no stakes or ropes (unless there is a high wind). It's very easy to put up. 

We constructed this awning with bits and pieces of tubing that were lying around our workshop. The following pictures will give you an idea of how the awning is constructed and how it is assembled.

We are very happy with our awning, but if we had to do it over again, we would most likely make a few changes - such as using smaller diameter tubing. 

 

Here is the awning laid out on the grass. Note the fringe on three sides. The side that goes against the van has no fringe.

 The awning is rolled up and ready for transport in the roof rack. It is quite compact and easy to store.

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The black tape on the spreaders is to keep the aluminium from marking the paint on the van.

The pieces that make up the frame are shown here. The longitudinal support tubes (2) are in three pieces that fit together. These pieces (6) are shown at the top. 

Each of the three spreaders is in two pieces. Each spreader has a tube that slides over the two mating pieces to lock them in place. They are shown in the middle of the picture - (silver colour) The poles are shown at the bottom. All the pieces roll up in the awning for storage. 

Tubes and poles from another angle. Each of the spreaders is located at the centre of one of the three sections of longitudinal tubing.

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This picture shows assembled longitudinal support tubes (2) and spreaders (3) outside of the awning. To make the awning work, the longitudinal pieces must be inserted into the sleeves sewn into the awning

The awning is placed on the ground with the bottom side up. The longitudinal supports are fed into the sleeves sewn into the awning - first one side - then the other

 

There is an opening in the sleeve for each spreader. Spreaders are inserted into the holes in the longitudinal tubes through this hole, first one side, then the other. 

Once a pair of spreaders is in place, they are lined up and locked in place with the sliding tube.   .

All three spreaders are in place. The internal frame is now installed and the awning is stretched and basically self supporting.  

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Now the awning is ready to attach to the van with two shock cords. The outside of the awning is supported by the two adjustable poles. 

There are grommets holes and loops sewn at each corner to facilitate the shock cords and tent poles

The eye straps are stainless and can be obtained at any marine supply, along with the stainless screws and sealant.

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 The awning is fastened to the van with two shock cords. This requires installing two eye straps on the van roof at either end of the canvas. 

These two eye straps are also used to connect our side tent to the van.
Our finely crafted EuroVan awning

Completed and set up.

It takes us less than  5 minutes to set up the awning. If we  want to go somewhere in the van, it can be disconnected in about a minute and left at the camp site. 

[ EVC enhancements ] [ camping equipment ] [ our awning ]

[ index of trips ] [ back to the EuroVan trip page ] [ back to Enhancement Index ]