DIY Awnings

[hozerdude]

Last December I could not afford $2,000+ for 4 slides so I made my own. Now that spring is coming my DIY Awnings worked awesome. No problems with the snow here in Colorado. No problem with wind. Just some tarp noise when it was windy. I did all 4 DIY Awnings for about $100.00

This VELCRO-Brand-Industrial-Strength is the strongest stuff I have ever seen. Been using it for about 10 years. I'm and kinda a Velcro freak lol

Here is what you need. ( for 4 Slides )

3-boxes VELCRO-Brand-Industrial-Strength 2"X 15' @ Walmart 20 bux each
( depending on how many slides you have. I have 4 slides. The cost will be less if you have less slides )

1 15X 20 Heavy Duty Tarp Silver side up.
1 8X10 Heavy Duty Tarp Silver side up

measured length of each slide + 3 extra inches on each end to wrap around the edges of each slide <------>

Measured width of each slide ( average width 26 inches ) + 3 extra inches on each end to wrap around the edges of each slide.

My large slide was 41" wide.

Cleaned all surfaces with alcohol.

Attached Velcro to side of 5th wheel ( above gutter on each slide )
Attached Velcro to brown side of tarp. ( silver side up )
Attached tarp to side of 5th wheel
attached Velcro to outside edge of slide
Then attached other end of tarp to outside edge of slide.
Done.

It is awesome!

Just my DIY Awnings!

For those of us who can't afford the expensive Awnings!

[mcfarmall]

Pictures please!! Sounds like a good mod.

[Brownie]

Yes, pictures please. You've peaked my curiosity!

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Brownie

Yes, pictures please. You've peaked my curiosity!

X3

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Tunce the traveler

X3

x4! I've been thinking about covering the slide but I don't want to spend a fortune doing it.

[hozerdude]

Ok guys here are my pics. Just want to let you know that wrinkles in the tarp on the outside of the slide is because I ran out of Velcro and was too lazy to go get more. If you use one full strip on the side of the slide ( Like your supposed too you wont get any wrinkles )

Ok here are the pics...........

http://mystuff2.com/001.JPG
http://mystuff2.com/002.JPG
http://mystuff2.com/003.JPG
http://mystuff2.com/004.JPG
http://mystuff2.com/005.JPG

Here is pic of the Velcro Box I Bought @ Wally World ( Walmart )
http://mystuff2.com/velcro.jpg


Now I attached the Velcro above the gutter on the side of my 5th wheel.

Hope this helps!

[RVhiker]

Excellent job. Not spending excessive amounts of $$$ on specialized overpriced RV items is a prime goal for me. Very, very good ideas.

[snowbird47]

So do you take off the tarps and reattach them at each CG? If not how do you stow them?

[Jmooney]

Also - being new to slide outs, why the need for such a thing?

[Brownie]

Very simple, very effective, very nice. I assume you just pull them off and stow them for travel? That just might be my next project.

Good job & thanks for the pics.

[hozerdude]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

Also - being new to slide outs, why the need for such a thing?

The reason is to protect the slides on my 5er from snow and rain and makes sure I don't have any leaks. Now I live in my 38' 5er.

And yes all I would have to do is pull off the tarps roll them up and call it a day! Super Easy!

[hozerdude]

Forgot make sure you put a few drops of super clue on the back of the velcro that is attached to the tarp to make sure it does not come off!

[norty1]

I could not climb a ladder that many times to get them up and down. Great DIY solution but I can't see it being practical for a highly mobile rig.

[hozerdude]

Originally Posted by norty1

I could not climb a ladder that many times to get them up and down. Great DIY solution but I can't see it being practical for a highly mobile rig.

Works for me!

[norty1]

Originally Posted by hozerdude

Works for me!

In the end that is all that counts!!

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by hozerdude

Forgot make sure you put a few drops of super clue on the back of the velcro that is attached to the tarp to make sure it does not come off!

Or use non-sticky back velcro and sew it on. The sticky back velcro will peel off the tarps and it seems that super glue wouldn't hold as it's not flexible. That's what I did on my home made PUG's.

[hozerdude]

Well ya right you can use a Polyethylene glue that will work for sure

[hozerdude]

I used That 3M spray Bonding glue. It will work with Polypropylene. That is what the tarps are made of. Cost 12 bux a can at Home Depot.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...=1114284885132