Add a room tent awning on a trillium

[HeyDondie]

Hello all!
My trillium has a C Chanel on the roof without an awning. I’m not a big fan of the awning as it create pressure/drag and weight on the Fiberglass during travel and used.
I like the Rpod add a room tent awning. The C Chanel on my trailer should work for the tent awning similar to Rpod add a room.
Do you guys have any other suggestions? Other than Rpod design.
My trailer is the turquoise and the Rpod tent is what I’ve been thinking of an upgrade.
Thanks all!
Attachment 1

[thrifty bill]

Will it fit in a horizontal channel? I do like it much better than a bag awning and it could withstand some wind too. Someone needs to make a more aero bag awning replacement

[HeyDondie]

It should, each trailer has different C Chanel. All I have to do is replace the Rod to fit my Trailer C Chanel.

[HeyDondie]

My first option was The SheltaPod from UK. Unfortunately, they stop delivery in North America.

[Dudley]

been running the Dometic Cabana for years , first on the Ventura and now on the Casita. LOVE IT!

[k corbin]

you can adapt a lot of different awnings to work with a trailer with a bit of fabric and some Keder awning rope from Sailrite or other companies. It is very handy for making modifying something you might already own or for buying a color matched product that looks good with your trailer and turning that into an add-a-room.


Because I have a rear door trailer I will have to make my own connecting link fabric sections to tie my smaller width sized popup awning.

[HeyDondie]

If I have side tack buttons or Velcro on the side of my trailer the Dometic Cabana would work, Dudley.
Good idea!
Thanks

[HeyDondie]

I did thought about modifying a pop up tent gazebo, k Corbin. It may be the cheapest way of buying a add a room.
I was thinking of modifying this pop up tent gazebo. See below. The only issues I’ve seen on those at the campsite if they fly off like parachutes, even with weights. I’ve see it several times, one even ended up at the highway.
I email Sheltapod again, I’m hoping they’ll make an exception.
Thanks

[Dudley]

Originally Posted by HeyDondie

If I have side tack buttons or Velcro on the side of my trailer the Dometic Cabana would work, Dudley.
Good idea!
Thanks

I used 3 turn buckle fasteners pop riveted to the trailer front and back

[k corbin]

Because I have a rear door and a strong square tube rear bumper and a commercial grade 5x5 popup tent I have the ability to secure my semi custom add-a-room directly to the rear bumper and use the weight of the trailer as an anchor. I will have still need stake out the other two legs but it is not going to fly off like a parachute. They do make side curtains but I will be creating my own as I need two doors plus nice big screen windows with rain shields. I will make the connecting link with the same material I use for the side curtains. Fortunately I know how to do canvas work. I was able to find the exact popup I wanted on craigslist right in my neighborhood for a good price. Sometimes you do get lucky. I travel solo so I don't need a huge add-a-room.

[HeyDondie]

I’m going to do more research in the great web. I don’t like putting rivets on my trailer. I hope I’ll be able to find a good product before I decided on modifying a pop up tent for my trailer.
Thanks

[Capn.Curt.Wiebe]

After the Winnipeg 50th Anniversary celebration, we bought an 8 x 11 Bus Depot Ezy Awning Plus, with extra poles and sidewalls. It's very light weight (nylon), and flexible - we can build it as a stand alone structure or attach it to the existing c-channel on our Trillium using some old sail slides that I had left over from my old MacGregor sailboat.

Ezy Awning Plus - LARGER Version - Gray

Two things that we really like about it - the dome structure keeps rain from collecting in it (we used to just use a tarp in the c-channel, supported by poles at the outside end - this collected all sorts of rain), and the price! Even if we end up having to replace the nylon cover at some point, it will still be less expensive than most other awnings.

With the 8 x 11 size, we have plenty of room underneath it, and because of the way it is built, we can set it up long dimension along the trailer, or perpendicular. We haven't used the sidewalls yet, but because we bought 4 we can use any three to create either configuration, or all 4 to do a stand alone structure. Great flexibility.

Of course everything has a down side, and with this unit, it is that it is a bit more complex to assemble, but not too bad. If we are just stopping for a quick overnight stay, we probably will NOT bother to set it up. Definitely not just pull-out easy.

[Ttocs M]

From earlier discussions/recommendations on this topic, I chose a quick-set clam that one person can easily set up and the side covers that zip in. It worked perfectly on a rainy/windy weekend camping trip for my very tall grandson who can't fit into my Scamp. I bought the small one that holds 2 sleeping bags or 1 table, 2 chairs. The main reason I looked for this option is because I can't open my awning by myself...this clam is perfect - easily movable around the campsite or against the trailer for a second bedroom.

CLAM Outdoor Apparel Accessories

[Keith2000]

Originally Posted by Capn.Curt.Wiebe

After the Winnipeg 50th Anniversary celebration, we bought an 8 x 11 Bus Depot Ezy Awning Plus, with extra poles and sidewalls. It's very light weight (nylon), and flexible - we can build it as a stand alone structure or attach it to the existing c-channel on our Trillium using some old sail slides that I had left over from my old MacGregor sailboat.

Ezy Awning Plus - LARGER Version - Gray

Two things that we really like about it - the dome structure keeps rain from collecting in it (we used to just use a tarp in the c-channel, supported by poles at the outside end - this collected all sorts of rain), and the price! Even if we end up having to replace the nylon cover at some point, it will still be less expensive than most other awnings.

With the 8 x 11 size, we have plenty of room underneath it, and because of the way it is built, we can set it up long dimension along the trailer, or perpendicular. We haven't used the sidewalls yet, but because we bought 4 we can use any three to create either configuration, or all 4 to do a stand alone structure. Great flexibility.

Of course everything has a down side, and with this unit, it is that it is a bit more complex to assemble, but not too bad. If we are just stopping for a quick overnight stay, we probably will NOT bother to set it up. Definitely not just pull-out easy.

I've seen one of these in action and it is a very sleek design. It was my first thought when I read the OP.

We already have an awning, so we bought a clam as an additional space since it offers a bit fo flexibility.

But, if I were the OP I would seriously look into the BusDepot awning. I was impressed by how easy it was for a single person to set it up.

[HeyDondie]

Awesome ideas! Keep’em coming.
Thanks

[Jack Walter]

I second the Bus Depot awning - they are great awnings for the price. I made some little adapters by welding a piece of 1/4 rod to the rain gutter clamp that comes with the awning. The 1/4" rod slides into the C-channel on the trailer and works real nicely to attach the awning to the trailer.

[GWMattson]

Originally Posted by Jack Walter

I second the Bus Depot awning - they are great awnings for the price. I made some little adapters by welding a piece of 1/4 rod to the rain gutter clamp that comes with the awning. The 1/4" rod slides into the C-channel on the trailer and works real nicely to attach the awning to the trailer.

Jack. I bought a Burro, and I'd like to add an awning. The Bus Depot awning looks pretty good. And there are plenty of places to buy C channels from. One question I have is how well does the C channel seal against leaks. My camper and the Bus Depot awning slope towards the C channel. Will I get a lot of water dripping down the side of the trailer with this design?

[HeyDondie]

Hello GWMatson.
The C-channel should be riveted along with Butyl putty tape and sealed with outdoor coking.
The C Chanel will have lip to create a flow of water away from the Fiberglass. Put a gutter drip spout on each end of the C Chanel, the water should alway flow away from the Fiberglass as much as possible.
I hope that helps. See photos below.

[GWMattson]

Thanks for the reply. I always get good advice from this site.