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.

I think I will go with a green tarp to match the Frog when this one gives out 

Curtis

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

Thanks!

JandL,

Followed your lead on the tarp awing, Used sail slugs for the channel and just tie wrapped them to the tarp. I use a bungee cord at each end just pull it back or forward  to get shade or rain protection.

Sail slugs go on the leading edge of a sail boat sail and feed into the mast when you raise the sail. Here's some pictures of the awning and slugs. The shackles are just a carabiner  type also used in sailing, with a small end and a large end that opens.

Sail slugs, .56 cents each.  I used the 3/8 slugs (cut them off an old sail)

I use a bungge cord at each end to keep it tight and also adjust the overhang to be forward or aft.

I bought 7' adjustable tent poles at my local camp store. I use the pole to push the sliders down the track, 8' pole  or 9' pole would be better because you could adjust them for grade changes , they sell them at Cabellas on line $14.99

   

There is a small gap at the trailer rail, I rained 2" the next day (Eureka CA) and it wasn't a problem.