LRCC

I've been asked to make a couple of sets of awning frames, the ones which pull out from the back of the roof of a Carawagon and are self-supporting, and wondered if there was any more interest before I order the materials?

When extended the frame creates a roof area with centre ridge pole, which is ideal for throwing a tarp over either just as a roof, or over and down one side or even both sides if it's windy.

I'm sure most of you have seen pictures of them in use at shows etc. where we usually park back to back, but here are some pictures for those who haven't.





We tend to use cheap tarps, around £5 to £10 on ebay for one big enough to go over two Carawagons back to back with both awning poles extended, and down one side, but one of our members has had a copy of the original canvas awning made.
I have an original awning, but as we usually camp as a group, we tend to use the tarp as it gives a more communal feel.

In Morocco we used a thin cotton sheet over as a sun shade - the pink one in this pic!


The awning poles are self supporting and don't require any upright poles. They pull out around 2m, leaving about 700mm inside the roof for support.

The ones I intend making will be to the original spec, or as near as we can in this metric day and age!, and would be galvanised in one batch.
The only variation from original will be the supporting tubes inside the roof. Originally there was just a short length of tube inside to support the frame poles when pulled out, which meant when pushing the frame back in, they could catch on anything in the Carawagon roof pockets My design will use full length plastic pipe inside.

These frames can be fitted to any 109", not just Carawagons, and a shorter version was an option on the 88" Searle Safari Sleeper (88" Carawagon) so there's no reason not to make them for SWB as well, if the demand is there.

I'll hold off ordering the materials for a couple of weeks to see if there's any more interest, but as the galvanising will have to be done as a batch to save costs, there has to be a cut-off point!

Costs are estimated at around £120 per frame, including the parts to fit the inside tubes.

DIY fitting is relatively easy, and I will supply instructions and measurements for the holes which need drilling, or if you fancy a trip over I'm sure we can come to some arrangement for fitting

Please PM me if interested.

Cheers,
Robin.

Just for info, here are a few (poor-ish) pictures of awning poles:

Original with frame and fittings removed:


Original (but rusty!):


Temporary frame set made from square tube (it's what I had laying around ) and higher arch:


Temporary frame set pulled part way out:


Inside, showing tube and supports. Please ignore the paraphernalia in the paraphernalia pockets!


You might notice the temporarary set I made a year ago for my Carawagon has a much higher arch than an original frame, and the side poles are mounted higher in the roof.
The idea is that it gives more slope to the roof sections of the tarp, causing less rain pooling, and more headroom under the sides of the frame.
However, if you do not have a Carawagon lifting roof it would look silly sticking up above the roof line, so the original arch shape and mounting position will be used on the new ones, unless anyone has a preference.

I made a set from the square tube over 3 years ago for Patrick's Carawagon and they have caused no problems, but the new ones I make will be made from round tube, the same as the original ones.

Cheers,
Robin.

Good idea Robin and your 'mates rates' seem very reasonable!

John H

Thanks for that John

Cheers,
Robin.

On the basis that the 1970 carawagon brochure had the extension at a cost of £69.00 this seems very reasonable.
How does the central ridge pole disappear into the roof or is that removeable for travel ?

The centre pole detaches and, in the Carawagon, is stowed in one of the paraphernalia pockets.

I was thinking of perhaps some sort of straps, velcro, around one of the inside pipes to store the centre pole on a non-Carawagon vehicle?

I also thought of finding a way to store it inside one of the side poles, but then it gets a bit complicated re. end caps, stopping it sliding out into traffic and retrieving the centre pole from inside the frame pole

For easier storage it could be made of 2 sections so they slot together like tent poles, or adjustable with one sliding inside the other so the frame could be used at any length .... hmmm, let me think about that a bit more

Cheers,
Robin.

Hi Robin
if the centre pole is not too long would it fit on the inside of the roof directly above the back door with the use of, say 2 stowage clips (eg land rover part number 72085) or similar
Obviously the clips would need to have a jaw wide enough to accept the galvanised centre poles as I think the part number I have quoted is for the starting handle securing clips on the rear tub and the starting handle diametr will be a lot less than the centre pole
This may also have the advantage of looking a bit more land rover functional/period rather than modern Velcro ?
hope this helps ?
Ian

G'day Robin, i must say i like the idea of one sliding inside the other that way one for the 88 could be good.

Catch you later. Brad .

Hello, definatley mark me down for a set.
Do they dismantle? I may have to make a trip south to collect them.

Alec

Hi Alec,

Yes, the original design has the frame in sections, so should be relatively easy to transport.

The longest sections will be almost 3m long though, so we'd have to find a courier who would accept that length if you want them sending.

Cheers,
Robin.