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Subject Topic: Sun canopy for camper. Post Reply Post New Topic
via mobile 01/7/2024 at 9:22am
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We have a vauxhall movano and want a simple canopy that's quick and easy to put up with maybe 3 extendable poles?

Is there a "go to" for these or do people construct one out of tarpaulin or alike?

Cheers.


01/7/2024 at 12:27pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Would you be able to provide more information please, such as whether it is for side entrance or back entrance?

I would advise getting a poly-cotton tarp and use the 2-pole ridge pole method with karabinas for attachment for quick release.

A lot more information about the Ridge Line method can be found via this thread:

"A few pics and question about tarps" thread

By using karabinas to attach the tarp to the ridge line, I could leave the pegs and the guys for the poles and tarp in place, just need to loosen them and the tarp and poles can be removed in the event of high winds and rain. The poles can even stay up if they were not in the way.

Here is a pic of my tarp origami using the ridge pole method when I was a tenter.



Hope this helps.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


via mobile 01/7/2024 at 10:48pm
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It will be side entrance using an awning rail. Are these poly cotton tarps waterproof? Also what do you use to connect tarp to awning rail? or is it best to use a dedicated canopy?


via mobile 02/7/2024 at 8:01am
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
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Search online Isabella Shadow. It is the type of canopy you describe. I use one on my caravan. It goes in the awning rail & comes with glass fibre poles & strong guylines & pegs. Not the cheapest but good quality.

Other cheaper ones are available. What you seek is waterproof tarp with awning rail piping down one edge that comes with 2 or 3 adjustable poles that go into eyelets on the other edge of tarp & are secured with 1 or 2 guylines on each pole.

You will need good pegs because the canopy requires tension to stay up. The Shadow canopy that I have comes with long plastic pegs. I also have some Delta Pegs which I mostly use & some rock pegs for hard ground.

-------------
Every day should be a holiday!


02/7/2024 at 9:08am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Quote: Originally posted by sprite1275 on 01/7/2024
It will be side entrance using an awning rail. Are these poly cotton tarps waterproof? Also what do you use to connect tarp to awning rail? or is it best to use a dedicated canopy?



If you are looking for a water-proof canopy, then look for a poly or nylon tarp, I believe Highlander makes one.

I do not envisage for the tarp to be connected to the awning rail - this was not mentioned in your post, including whether it is for entrance on the side or the back.

I would drape one side of the canopy over the vehicle, for the guys at the corners to be pegged on the other side.

The above is based on the limited information available.

The thread I posted has plenty of information and inspirations on how to rig a tarp to suit one's needs and wants.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


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02/7/2024 at 9:43am
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Swift Escape
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We have used a tarp in the past, and also a cheap gazebo.


02/7/2024 at 12:31pm
 Location: London
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There are purpose made tarp canopies available like this one: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/sunnshield-240-universal-sun-canopy

Also might like to consider effectively an open fronted awning like this: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/swift-van-canopy-260-low
I've got the awning version of this (with zipped front door/wall) for my caravan, it's a doddle to fit and the single hooped pole is so quick and easy to fit and adjust. It'd probably be a bit more wind tolerant than a simple tarp canopy which can catch the wind very easily and need taking down before damage occurs.


via mobile 03/7/2024 at 10:42am
 Location: Ayrshire
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 02/7/2024

Also might like to consider effectively an open fronted awning like this: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/swift-van-canopy-260-low
I've got the awning version of this (with zipped front door/wall) for my caravan, it's a doddle to fit and the single hooped pole is so quick and easy to fit and adjust. It'd probably be a bit more wind tolerant than a simple tarp canopy which can catch the wind very easily and need taking down before damage occurs.



I’ve seen this one recently on a site & it looked very sturdy. The people had the separate side walls attached, which meant they could sit outside when it was driving rain. A gazebo isn’t sturdy enough in a stiff wind, many sites don’t allow them for that reason. We’ve tried a tarp on our previous MH which didn’t have an awning rail & it was too flimsy: effectively a sun canopy only, no good for wet & windy.

-------------
2024 = 18 sites / 38 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


03/7/2024 at 11:50am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 02/7/2024
There are purpose made tarp canopies available like this one: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/sunnshield-240-universal-sun-canopy

Also might like to consider effectively an open fronted awning like this: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/swift-van-canopy-260-low
I've got the awning version of this (with zipped front door/wall) for my caravan, it's a doddle to fit and the single hooped pole is so quick and easy to fit and adjust. It'd probably be a bit more wind tolerant than a simple tarp canopy which can catch the wind very easily and need taking down before damage occurs.



Why would one need one of the ones in your first link, for it to be anchored on the retractable canopy/awning housing, when one can just wind out the canopy?

For the one in the second link, looks good, however, I do not believe it is on and offable that easily. and would prefer a drive-away type which is more enclosed and offers more privacy, IMHO.

DK



-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


03/7/2024 at 11:54am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 03/7/2024
We’ve tried a tarp on our previous MH which didn’t have an awning rail & it was too flimsy: effectively a sun canopy only, no good for wet & windy.



I am a wuss when it comes to wind-out awning/canopy, in that I would retract it if the wind forecast is anything more than a gentle breeze, even though I always use additional storm straps.

I don't like to have it out during the night in case the wind picks up when I am asleep.

DK


-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


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03/7/2024 at 12:39pm
 Location: London
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 03/7/2024
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 03/7/2024
We’ve tried a tarp on our previous MH which didn’t have an awning rail & it was too flimsy: effectively a sun canopy only, no good for wet & windy.



I am a wuss when it comes to wind-out awning/canopy, in that I would retract it if the wind forecast is anything more than a gentle breeze, even though I always use additional storm straps.

I don't like to have it out during the night in case the wind picks up when I am asleep.

DK




I've helped (loan of tools, caravan step to aid reaching, and a steadying hand) a couple of fellow campers in past couple of years where wind had got the better of their wind out canopies. Both seemed to be quite severe damage, one with a bent linkage arm, one with a disconnected joint, in both cases they couldn't retract their canopies without remedial work/bodges first!


I've certainly experienced sudden un-forecast squally gusts that have battered my awnings. Had I been aware in advance, I wouldn't have put the awning up, or have taking them down in good time, but such was the suddenness and ferocity it would have been too risky trying to take down in the thick of it, they just had to take their chances. Although never intended for use in such winds, both have survived unscathed!


03/7/2024 at 12:56pm
 Location: London
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 03/7/2024
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 02/7/2024
There are purpose made tarp canopies available like this one: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/sunnshield-240-universal-sun-canopy

Also might like to consider effectively an open fronted awning like this: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/swift-van-canopy-260-low
I've got the awning version of this (with zipped front door/wall) for my caravan, it's a doddle to fit and the single hooped pole is so quick and easy to fit and adjust. It'd probably be a bit more wind tolerant than a simple tarp canopy which can catch the wind very easily and need taking down before damage occurs.



Why would one need one of the ones in your first link, for it to be anchored on the retractable canopy/awning housing, when one can just wind out the canopy?

For the one in the second link, looks good, however, I do not believe it is on and offable that easily. and would prefer a drive-away type which is more enclosed and offers more privacy, IMHO.

DK





The first link is simple versatile, it'll fit a standard fixed rail, or a wind out canopy, where I guess you could use it to make a wall or to extend the covered area.

As to the second one, friends with MHs/campers don't actually move them once pitched, they don't need a driveaway, doubt they are alone in that practice. In the grand scheme of things, they are very easy to erect/breakdown by comparison to most awnings, simply slide the flysheet into rail and one very easy hooped pole to fit (or airbeam to inflate!), you can often get away with just 2 guy ropes, but only 4 if you really need to brace it. Most effort goes into pegging out skirts, which sadly is as tedious as any other awning.


via mobile 03/7/2024 at 6:36pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 02/7/2024
There are purpose made tarp canopies available like this one: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/sunnshield-240-universal-sun-canopy

Also might like to consider effectively an open fronted awning like this: https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/swift-van-canopy-260-low
I've got the awning version of this (with zipped front door/wall) for my caravan, it's a doddle to fit and the single hooped pole is so quick and easy to fit and adjust. It'd probably be a bit more wind tolerant than a simple tarp canopy which can catch the wind very easily and need taking down before damage occurs.



Ive got the same awning I used in my T4. Great awning for the price.

That canopy is an option. Surprised there isn't loads of options out there for tarp canopies with awning rail accessories but can't find much. Can't even see any adaptors to fix a tarp to the awning rail!


03/7/2024 at 7:55pm
 Location: Dartford Kent
 Outfit: VW T6 conversion
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I’ve got this one: Reimo Palm Beach.
The dome shape, achieved with two fibreglass poles, means that rainwater doesn’t pool; it even slides off keeping its shape if you’re going out for the day. There’s a few drips from the rail, nothing too bad.



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