Van modifications
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:55 am
If you go to the gallery and veiw the Ruby Lake, Nevada Pictures, you will see that I have a canopy that is next to the van giving us extra space, 12' x 12' to be exact which is enclosed with a mesh to keep the bugs out.
We just put it next to the van and open the doors, (taking the pins out that hold the doors from going flat against the van) and move them up next to the doors allowing us to step right into the canopy.
I also attached some spring loaded "J" hooks or rope hooks to the upper portion of the fiberglass to attach a tarp and and then use adjustable tent poles on the end which gives us plenty of shade and protection from the rain. I have several different tarp sizes to choose from and can attach a tarp to the van, assemble the canopy and then run the tarp over the top and still have a ten foot overhang to put chairs under, atv's or whatever to protect from the elements, in our case we usually put our inflatables under the overhang. I can also have a 3' overhang on the sides of the canopy for extra shade or protection from rain, etc. A smaller tarp such as the one in the pictures is just about right for most outings, giving the needed protection when the canopy is left at the campsite as on this trip.
Plans are, that I am going to attach hooks to the drivers side for more shade so that either side will be in the shade no matter what.
I would like to have a factory awning as I'm sure the purist's would frown upon my solution but money is always a factor and I didn't have the money to spend for a factory setup. I am into my Mod's about $200 which includes the hooks, tent poles, rope, stakes,tarps and canopy. I am able to change the size whenever I desire, plus, we experienced strong winds the first few days and didn't have to worry about the awning being damaged as others have mentioned in other posts, everything was staked down and held fast by the spring loaded "J" hooks.
We just put it next to the van and open the doors, (taking the pins out that hold the doors from going flat against the van) and move them up next to the doors allowing us to step right into the canopy.
I also attached some spring loaded "J" hooks or rope hooks to the upper portion of the fiberglass to attach a tarp and and then use adjustable tent poles on the end which gives us plenty of shade and protection from the rain. I have several different tarp sizes to choose from and can attach a tarp to the van, assemble the canopy and then run the tarp over the top and still have a ten foot overhang to put chairs under, atv's or whatever to protect from the elements, in our case we usually put our inflatables under the overhang. I can also have a 3' overhang on the sides of the canopy for extra shade or protection from rain, etc. A smaller tarp such as the one in the pictures is just about right for most outings, giving the needed protection when the canopy is left at the campsite as on this trip.
Plans are, that I am going to attach hooks to the drivers side for more shade so that either side will be in the shade no matter what.
I would like to have a factory awning as I'm sure the purist's would frown upon my solution but money is always a factor and I didn't have the money to spend for a factory setup. I am into my Mod's about $200 which includes the hooks, tent poles, rope, stakes,tarps and canopy. I am able to change the size whenever I desire, plus, we experienced strong winds the first few days and didn't have to worry about the awning being damaged as others have mentioned in other posts, everything was staked down and held fast by the spring loaded "J" hooks.