Adding Rail & Trim Line Awning

[Scotto64]

Has anyone considered adding an awning rail to their Parkliner to install a trim line awning? I received my Parkliner in May and after camping in June and July abroad, thought it would be a nice addition. I know Parkliner is now offering to install an awning, but they honestly look so bulky and unattractive. I had a rail and easily removable awning on my pop up and am just wondering how difficult it would be to add to the Parkliner. Any thoughts?

[deryk]

Hi Scott and Welcome!

I didn't want to drill holes into mine, so I made a vintage style awning and sewed a sleeve into the end with a joined piece of aluminum pipe and use a pair of ratchet straps holding it on. Does a good job and when I pack up, no rail or bulky awning on it. I have pics on here somewhere ...

[deryk]

Its not perfect...I have learned a few things since making it lol. I started using a pair of bungy cords to hold it down... now its ratchet straps. It does stay uptop nicely though... I also picked up a few extra poles...right across the front to make it a bit stiffer. I am thinking about what Diane mentioned and the next might have a pole down the middle with a rubber tip at the end to rest on the roof.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ing-57524.html

[Scotto64]

Thanks, Deryk. That looks good. I'll check out your other pics. I'm not too comfortable drilling holes in mine either, but was just curious if anyone had done it.

[mary and bob]

Some other brand camper owners have used VHB tape to attach an awning rail

[Seldomseensmith]

Check out ARB awnings. Its what im considering.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Scotto64]

Thanks, Bob and David. Bob, do you know which thread I could go to that features camper owners who used VHB tape to attach the awning rail?
Scott

[mary and bob]

Scott; no I don't recall a thread about the VHB tape and rail installation. I do know that George Lauver who owns a Uhaul like ours used it and he has a bag awning hanging on it. I didn't have enough faith in it to be traveling with that bag awning hanging there held on by tape, but it's worked for him. If you are going to use a rope & pole awning that you remove when traveling it should be OK. We have camped with George, real nice guy, I know he'll give you any info you need.

[mary and bob]

Scott; if you go to "camping, camp out reports" topics and look in the thread Wescotts Beach, Watertown NY, George posted there. Send him a PM for tape info. Probably other ways to find him but this works for me.

[Scotto64]

Many thanks, Bob. Will do.

[frank_a]

Scott, we use a Gander Mountain canopy, and it requires no holes be drilled or tape applied. It is easy to do and looks great. It holds up under heavy rain and wind. The top of it fits in the roof valley, so no water "leaks" down when you're getting in and out the trailer.

[Scotto64]

Thanks, Frank. Is that the Gander Mountain Dining canopy?

[mary and bob]

Frank, do you think eventually there will be rub marks from the canopy or ropes moving in the wind?

[frank_a]

Yes it is Scott. You assemble the two corded poles that make the top a canopy, insert them and tie them in, then move one side of the canopy up top and secure it with bungee cords to the rear bumper and front tongue. Once that's done, assemble two of the 4 corded poles, insert where indicated, and stake the included lines down.

Over July 4th in the Adirondacks we had torrential rain one night, and wind that blew lots of tents over the next night. We had no problems at all with the canopy. Plus I just like its clean looks!

Frank

[frank_a]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

Frank, do you think eventually there will be rub marks from the canopy or ropes moving in the wind?

Maybe eventually, but we are working on a solution to that.

[deryk]

The Gander Mt is a nice idea...I just have this thing for a more vintage awning look. Gabe added a pair of fiberglass shock cords to the inside of his vintage awning for the same effect.

[Lfoxmont]

Frank A,

Just ordered the Gander Mountain canopy! I think this will work great on my Burro! Thanks for the picture .....that's what sold me.

[Lfoxmont]

Btw, if you end up with rub marks, please post your solution.....

[accrete]

We have the same awning as Frank and have enjoyed it LOTS! Our simple solution to no-marks is to utilize two gardening-knee pads under the two corners at front/back of awning. Simple and easy to setup/down.

Some pics of ours in action (most of the info was originally posted at our build thread in _this post_.)

the full meal deal... bed/bath & entertainment


Here is a shot from the curb side showing the two vertical poles and guy lines (2 for each pole in this case...it was windy!)


here is what it looks like up inside (the canopy peak is ~2ft above sides)


this one from the rear showing how i have the lines going through a garden knee pad (which i place under the awning poles to protect roof) and then the lines going to the bumper in two places:


this one from the front showing how i have the lines going through a garden knee pad (which i place under the awning poles to protect roof) and then the lines going to the front A frame in two places:


here is a closeup of how the awning wraps over roof and fabric-edge is located at the inner edge of Parkliner's anti-trolley roof. This actually came in handy in the moderate winds as this edge was lifted off roof and bled excess wind caught under canopy:


That should give you a good feel for the utility of this particular awning.
Happy Trails,
Thom

PS...the only thing i would change is to get two green knee pads to match the awning color! (recalling my wife's reaction to the blue i purchased).

[frank_a]

Thom, where did you get those knee pads, or alternatively, could you post a closer pic, or give me a name and part #? I put "gardening-knee pads" in Amazon and got a ton of returns!

Thanks!

Frank