This is very clever and simple!  I was sourcing hinges for extenders
and thinking of bearings in the ends of a 2" aluminum tube with a
latch on the end and a truck tarp, and it all just started getting too
complicated.  I suppose you could epoxy a delrin rod into the (heavy
gauge) pvc and use it like a ferrule to break it down for storage, but
what's a good low-profile clamp?

The only concern is the (protective) paint on the gutter.

On 6/30/16, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net> wrote:
>         Sounds PrettyClose to what I Made&Used for about 12Yrs on My 76 &
> 83.5 ~ Mine was a VinylBacked RipStop Nylon Tarp WithSleeve SewnIn ~
>
> I Slit 1/2In PVC LengthWise so when inserted in the sleeve it could them be
> Snapped over the RainGutter Lip ~ The ID of the Sleeve was CloseTo 2X
>
> the OD of the PVC so the Material would Easily PushUp Into the Slit in the
> PVC ~ Set it up in the Rain on Several Occasions while staying MostlyDry ~
>
> The GuyWires on the CornerPoles was where I'd get wet ~
>
>
> On 30 Jun , 2016, at 8:06 AM, David McNeely wrote:
>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
>> Date: Wed, Jun 29, 2016 at 6:05 PM
>> Subject: Re: Best Awning and why
>> To: Neil <neilrayc@gmail.com>
>>
>> Dean, here is a copy of what I sent to Neil.  YMMV.
>>
>> Neil, my awning is a 10'x12' poly tarp.  My wife sewed a sleeve on on end.
>>  Into the sleeve fits a length of pvc pipe in 3 sections with joints to
>> fit them together into one length.  With that in the sleeve, that end then
>> fits into the rain gutter, and is fastened there with three padded
>> C-clamps.   Sectional aluminum tent poles fit into grommets on the two
>> outer corners (farthest from the camper when the tarp is stretched out)
>> and in the center of the outer edge.  1/4" nylon ropes are looped over the
>> points of the poles, and guyed out with tent pegs to hold the tarp taught.
>>  I have considered adding a sleeve into the middle of the tarp and fitting
>> a rib in order to give it a better peak to drain off rain better, but with
>> the center tent pole 6" longer than the other two, so far it has worked.
>>
>> Would it stand up to 50 mph winds?  I doubt it, but then neither will any
>> of the fancy awnings on the market, and if I fail to get mine in before
>> the winds hit, damage to the van will be minimal.  With the fancy ones,
>> the fasteners will rip the rain gutters, roof, or pop-top.  Mine cost
>> under $50, since i had the tent poles already, and it has now lasted for 8
>> years and a couple of hundred campouts.
>>
>> One of the online list vendors offers something similar, a bit fancier and
>> a bit more pricey.
>>
>> Some list members have tried something similar, homemade like mine,
>> without being pleased.  But if you don't like the awning, at least you
>> have a good tarp for other purposes.  I've been more than pleased.
>>
>> You'll need to fiddle with whatever you come up with to get it to suit you
>> and your approaches to camping.
>>
>> mcneely
>>
>>
>>
>

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