Awning material
 

Good morning folks

I'm looking for some good light weight canvas/sail cloth suitable to make a tough, but light awning for my troupie.

Anyone made one recently or recommend a suitable material. Also where I might find a supplier?

Cheers

John

Being in Cornwall, I would try chatting up some of the local sail makers - they should be able to help you.

Ray Mears recommended Parachute material doubled over - but that was in the Sahara on telly - may not be water proof etc ;-)

Thanks Guys

Did try a couple of sailmakers, but they wern't interested. More interested in making canvas biminis for the well heeled sailing lot - more money in it!!

I'll keep trying

John

Hi John, if you do want canvas then there are plenty of suppliers on ebay or an upholsters warehousman will have the 16oz stuff. Look up tarpaulin makers in your area - they will have the green canvas for lorry sheets.
Autocamp rooftents use a synthetic fabric called Airtex which you can buy on ebay.de - it's light, strong and waterproof.
DD Tarps do a green lightweight 2x3m and 3x3m ready hemmed and eyed for £20 - £30
Then a couple of strong poles from a good camping shop.

Airtex
 

Cheers Chris

I think it is that airtex stuff that I've seen the German travelers using.

that's my preferred route

cheers

John

Yes I think airtex is the best stuff - my tent has never leaked and it's a few years old now - it's a bit expensive with the postage from germany but worth it in the long run.

have fun

I've just picked up two aluminium boat hooks as poles for my awning - £6.99 apiece from from LIDL in the UK. They're strong and light, extend to the right height with a quick twist lock, collapse to a convenient length, and they're complete with rubber foot and hook on the end to attach my tarp.

Awning
 

I used a kingsize bedsheet and kept it in place with bulldog clips onto the gutter(say 6/8no)two tent poles with the sheet held over them with rubber pole grumments and guy lines for the poles.Very cheap,light,multi purpose components and no flapping noise.

Used this extensively over two years in Middle East and the only problem(which I fixed)was the correct number of clips to keep it on the gutter in high winds.

Obvoiusly not good in the rain!

Inventive or what?!
 

Some good ideas - thanks

I don't have a gutter on the roof of the car but a purpose made groove running the length of the car. The edge of the awning needs to be stiched with a slider (which I have) to slide into.

I did not want heavy poles, so the boat hook idea is brilliant

Cheers

Guys

John