Tarp for van awning

[Paul_B]

We're getting a vivaro swb van converted end of this month, virus permitting. I can't afford complete conversion so no awning or other bits needed more like a kitchen. So cooking, etc is outside.

That got me thinking of tarp awning. What size do you think would work best? How to pitch it?

We've got a 2.5m x 2.5m, 4m x 4m and a BPL-UK micro tarp at something like 1.5 x 2.4m. I'm thinking a 3m square tarp might be best. Could use it with poles 3m along the sides or over the open rear barn doors as a rear, quick pitch shelter getting boots/ waterproofs off.

Anyone used one like this? What size/ pitch worked for you?

 

[Broch]

Paul, what length is your roof line? That will define your best tarp size I would have thought.

A very easy way to set up a quick tarp on the side of a vehicle is to use strong magnets - the ones taken from old disk drives work a treat - just add two poles and two guys and you have cover in minutes. If you use 4 to 6 magnets along the length it will stay up with quite strong winds - in fact, with thin nylon tarps you have to be careful not to tear the tarp taken them off. Ideally, you would fix the tarp above any gutter along the roof line so rain doesn't come in between the tarp and car.

It even works (to some extent, on the Defender because they have steel doors now - not ideal because the door top is a bit low but it does provide a very quick shelter.

 

[Paul_B]

Good idea with the magnets. Got none so need a good source. No hard drives that aren't needed.

I guess I'll be using cord somehow.

 

[Broch]

Just search for rare earth magents - something like this should do it:

10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Van-Wild]

2.5m x 2.5m is the size of my Fiamma awning. Prior to putting that on I used a 2.5m x 2.5m tarp with 2.5m poles. It worked perfectly.

A company called Stitches&Steel do some really good canvas awnings so they'd be worth a look....

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

 

[Mesquite]

Just search for rare earth magents - something like this should do it:

10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

I've got those magnets and they're good but I wouldn't trust them for a tarp.

Personally I'go for something like a pot magnet that you can fasten a pull strap to to make it easier taking off when needed. You'd only need about 4 to securely mount the tarp to your van

Pardon our interruption...

 

[oldtimer]

The magnet idea would seem to be the solution to a problem I've been wrestling with for some time. I always travel with a 3 x 3 DD tarp but the extending roof of my present campervan precludes slinging guy lines over the roof as I used to in the past.

So, thank you Paul B for asking the question and Broch for answering it.

 

[Broch]

Personally I'go for something like a pot magnet that you can fasten a pull strap to to make it easier taking off when needed. You'd only need about 4 to securely mount the tarp to your van

That's a good idea 'cos I have great difficulty getting the reclaimed disk drive magnets off! They're incredibly strong.

 

[Mesquite]

That's a good idea 'cos I have great difficulty getting the reclaimed disk drive magnets off! They're incredibly strong.

I have the occasionally

 

[Paul_B]

Just search for rare earth magents - something like this should do it:

10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Imagine getting something delivered that can be affected by magnets that were next to such a package in the delivery van. Just bought a new silva 54 compass costing £60+ only to send it back because it points 180 degrees out.

What other jobs would people put these magnets to? Why sell or buy them?

 

[Paul_B]

The magnet idea would seem to be the solution to a problem I've been wrestling with for some time. I always travel with a 3 x 3 DD tarp but the extending roof of my present campervan precludes slinging guy lines over the roof as I used to in the past.

So, thank you Paul B for asking the question and Broch for answering it.

We're getting a roof shortly. About 6 weeks left of the 8 week lead time. Well they've still got to design the roof for the swb new shape vivaro 16-19 registration date. Probably make cord fixing less obvious but certainly should be doable.

 

[MartinK9]

Use the 4 x4 and tarp over your whole vehicle to the ground on one side and pole up the other

 

[oldtimer]

Just search for rare earth magents - something like this should do it:

10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 10pc N52 Grade Neodymium Rectangular Magnets Super Strong Rare Earth Block NdFeb at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

I got some of these and they work a treat if doubled up. The DD 3x3 tarp that lives in my basic kit doubled and two clothes props make a perfectly good awning.
Thanks to Broch and Paul-B for saving me the considerable cost of a Flamma.

 

[Herman30]

Is it totally out of question to attach two or three loops to the side of the van?
Something like this attached with screws.

 

[DelMears]

We're getting a vivaro swb van converted end of this month, virus permitting. I can't afford complete conversion so no awning or other bits needed more like a kitchen. So cooking, etc is outside.

That got me thinking of tarp awning. What size do you think would work best? How to pitch it?

We've got a 2.5m x 2.5m, 4m x 4m and a BPL-UK micro tarp at something like 1.5 x 2.4m. I'm thinking a 3m square tarp might be best. Could use it with poles 3m along the sides or over the open rear barn doors as a rear, quick pitch shelter getting boots/ waterproofs off.

Anyone used one like this? What size/ pitch worked for you?

When we had our vito campervan....now sadly defunct... the previous owner, former ships carpenter and electrician... cleverly inserted three short vertical bolts into the roof runnel on the side of the sliding door ( bolts were a permanent feature ) at the correct spacing for the middle three grommets in the tarp. The two end grommets were "bungied" to (1) the rear door handle and (2) the opposite ( driver's side ) wing mirror, over the windscreen.

Then, by using a series of flexible magnetic strips sewn into the edge seam of the tarp, helped to make the top edge weather-proof.

Three steel poles ( central one adjustable for height ) each with a guy-rope provided height and structure. The two outside grommets also had guy-ropes but no poles.

Hope you get the gist of this... it was a v. simple and robust roof.

Hope this helps...

 

[demographic]

These things can be fitted if you have access to the inside of the vehicle shell, you can fit the base and leave it on and the ring can be removed in seconds so its not rattling as you drive down the road.
https://www.mudstuff.co.uk/products/cargo-control-20/anchor.html

You'll need the stud ring as well.

 

[Duggie Bravo]

I have a Carnopy, it’s designed to be used off the back of a Hatchback.
I bought it in a whim and then changed my car to a D2, so never used it.
I’ve recently found it again, so when I get chance I will park my current car on some grass and try it out.
If I remember correctly is had foam blocks to go on the inside of the window/door and then poles for the front.
I’ll try to stick some pictures up.
Just had a google and doesn’t look they exist anymore but the Weekender3.0 looks like it would do what you want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rabbit leg]

I'm going to get some magnets. I'm not being lazy, just want to be sure -

Can anyone link me to the right ones on Amazon? I can't use eBay.

I bought a c-rail but the magnetic idea is more positively attractive.

Would be appreciated. I'm in a bit of a flux at the moment.

 

[Broch]

I'm going to get some magnets. I'm not being lazy, just want to be sure -

Can anyone link me to the right ones on Amazon? I can't use eBay.

I bought a c-rail but the magnetic idea is more positively attractive.

Would be appreciated. I'm in a bit of a flux at the moment.

I think I'd go with Mesquite's idea of using some with a hole you can fasten some kind of handle on such as these:

10 Pack Neodymium Disc Countersunk Hole Magnets, 15 KG Pull Force, Strong, Permanent, Rare Earth Magnets 30mm x 5mm, with 10 Screws: Amazon.co.uk: Office Products

10 Pack Neodymium Disc Countersunk Hole Magnets, 15 KG Pull Force, Strong, Permanent, Rare Earth Magnets 30mm x 5mm, with 10 Screws: Amazon.co.uk: Office Products

www.amazon.co.uk

A bit pricey but for ten magnets I think it would be worth it. There are loads of others on amazon - just search for neodymium magnets or rare earth magnets.

 

[Rabbit leg]

Thanks for the link.

The reason I was asking is because I have no idea what the strengths 'feel' like.

Your link is for 15kg.
Another above is 22kg.
Amazon do a 770kg, I guess that would be ott.

The ones called 'fishing magnets' have a ring bolt attached, which would be handy for pulling off.

I was thinking about use 3 or 4 on VWT4 roof. 2x3m tarp. Two poles.