Tarp awning trial

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   I wanted to try a tarp for shade and rain protection over the door of my 177.  Not knowing how well it would work, I started with a 8x10 Harbor Freight tarp ($5.99) and a 10' piece of 1/2" (measured 7/16") poly rope.My wife sewed the rope tight on the overlapped edge and I tried it out.

I had one painters pole that expands so I got one more from Lowes.  I screwed a large washer on each of them and then used rope loops in the grommets to attach the tarp to the poles.

This worked well and I could adjust the poles as needed.  I expanded and smoothed out the track at the front of the trailer and could easily start the "awning" in the track.

I could start this from the ground and then to pull it the rest of the way I used one of the poles and hooked it to a loop on the tarp and finished pulling it through.

While not tight and smooth it works to provide some shade and rain protection over the door.  We usually have afternoon or evening thunder storms and it worked well for that, with slack in the tarp it lets the water run right off.

It takes just minutes to put up, with the most time spent pounding in the two ground stakes.  At one point my wife said a gust of wind hit the tarp good enough that she felt the trailer move.  No issue with the tarp.

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scentralmt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2015 Location: Montana Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Topic: Tarp awning trial Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 12:27am
	I wanted to try a tarp for shade and rain protection over the door of my 177. Not knowing how well it would work, I started with a 8x10 Harbor Freight tarp ($5.99) and a 10' piece of 1/2" (measured 7/16") poly rope. My wife sewed the rope tight on the overlapped edge and I tried it out. I had one painters pole that expands so I got one more from Lowes. I screwed a large washer on each of them and then used rope loops in the grommets to attach the tarp to the poles. This worked well and I could adjust the poles as needed. I expanded and smoothed out the track at the front of the trailer and could easily start the "awning" in the track. I could start this from the ground and then to pull it the rest of the way I used one of the poles and hooked it to a loop on the tarp and finished pulling it through. While not tight and smooth it works to provide some shade and rain protection over the door. We usually have afternoon or evening thunder storms and it worked well for that, with slack in the tarp it lets the water run right off. It takes just minutes to put up, with the most time spent pounding in the two ground stakes. At one point my wife said a gust of wind hit the tarp good enough that she felt the trailer move. No issue with the tarp.
	Curtis 2014 177 2001 F150

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 10:21am
	Did you fold the tarp over with the rope in between? I think if you made it any fancier it wouldn't work.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 9:34pm
	Nice. Cheap and it works.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

scentralmt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2015 Location: Montana Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Posted: 23 Jul 2015 at 12:02am
	The tarp is folded over the rope far enough so that the grommets on that edge are out of the way. My sewing expert used an attachment called a zipper foot to sew right up next to the rope and also ran stitching on the edge of the overlapped material. I think I will go with a green tarp to match the Frog when this one gives out
	Curtis 2014 177 2001 F150

Mikebike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 May 2015 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 26 Jul 2015 at 3:43pm
	does it rub on the door ....when the door is opened ?

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 26 Jul 2015 at 5:05pm
	Great job!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

scentralmt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2015 Location: Montana Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 3:44pm
	As far as rubbing on the door when open, yes if opened, but the awning has some play so it more just lays on top of the door. Curtis
	Curtis 2014 177 2001 F150

Mikebike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 May 2015 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 08 Aug 2015 at 2:32pm
	Well I followed your example--- just upgraded the tarp to a Kelty Noah 12 x12 --- sewed in the 1/2 inch poly rope using the zipper foot. i used 2 8 foot folding kelty poles and made some guy lines from Para-cord (in Florida you can not tie to trees) end result is nice-- and a breeze to set up. I have pics but can get them to post here as it says they are too large of format

TigerPawd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 04 Feb 2015 Location: Corpus Christi Online Status: Offline Posts: 68	Posted: 09 Aug 2015 at 10:35am
	On the door scraping the awning, Camco have a roller attachment that will minimize damage to any awning: http://www.amazon.com/Camco-42003-Awning-Roller-Screen/dp/B000EDSSKM
	Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs 2015 R-Pod 179

bigcat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Aug 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Posted: 13 Oct 2016 at 5:17pm
	I too have a 12x12 Noah's tarp and have been considering using it as an awning, but I'm hesitant to modify it by sewing a rope into it. Instead, I'd like to make some clips to attach the guy line loops to the awning track and use poles on the corners. Does the shape of the Noah's tarp cause any issues when attached to the pod? Thanks!
	Big Cat 2017 179