[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #289

[MaryDotson@xxxxxxx]

Thanks for all the emails regarding the awning...from the PMs I got, it  
looks like a whole lot of folk are thinking in the same direction.  Sorry  for 
responding late to the list though--with digest mode, the traffic is  lighter, 
but slower!
 
First--regarding what tarp I bought.  The rubber tarp is on the HD  website, 
in a smaller size: 
_http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0857721650.1088176400@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadclleigjgecgelceffdfgidgmn.0&MID=9876_ (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0857721650.1088176400@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadclleigjgecgelceffdfgidgmn.0&MID=9876)  
 
The tarp I think I am going to use (the one I've opened) is larger.   It is 
the Tufpro brand, "Painters Best" line, Canvas Drop Cloth Deluxe 8  oz.  
Finished size is 11'9" x 14'9".  Item 68103.
 
BTW--not sure if the rubberized one would be more durable.  None of  the 
painting tarps have canvas treated for sun-resistance.  Still, we  have a canvas 
tent tarp (made the Home Depot way :-}) that we've used  for years (for 
reenactments) and so far it's held up okay.  Also, it looks  like plenty of old tarps 
survived--the most important thing is to  always dry it out before folding it 
up for storage.  Sunbrella will  probably last longer with less care--but it 
will cost more and you'll have to  sew the edges together to get a wide enough 
piece.
 
More on my effort...I went to Target last night and asked them if they had  
any damaged tents with decent poles that I could buy on discount.  They  
did--and I chose a ripped gazebo tent, which they sold to me for $5.  It  has a 
plethora of powder coated steel tubes that I can use for lateral support  
poles--much cheaper that the $88  option I was looking at previously!   
Plus--bonus--it came with tie-down cords, stakes and nice storage bags  for the tent (I'll 
use it for the tarp) and poles!  
 
BTW--I still am going to purchase new campmor poles for  uprights--the Target 
gazebo poles are hollow, so they won't fit in  grommet holes--and the height 
is not adjustable.
 
Also, I found a site that shows how one couple sewed their own  awning...It's 
for a VW microbus (no channel, even), it lacks side  valances--but it's a 
good for folks having a tough time visualizing this:
 
_http://members.shaw.ca/d.and.j/evc/awning.htm_ 
(http://members.shaw.ca/d.and.j/evc/awning.htm) 
 
Lastly--another idea I saw on  ebay some months back...An old trailer awning 
for sale had a zipped up  canvas case that you could roll the awning up into 
and leave on the  trailer when you hit the road.  It's a bit problematic, since 
it  would allow damp to get into the awning when it rained--leading to mold.  
 However, if you made one out of something soft (so not to damage the finish) 
and  waterproof, it might be a big time saver.  I don't think the original 
one  was ever left on a trailer--the awning was gorgeous (a small one that went  
for over $500) and there was no sign of rust on the zipper (you could use a  
plastic zipper today).
 
Jo Ann--where do you live?   Actually, between work and all the wierd kind of 
travel that entails, when  I'm done finishing all these projects, I just want 
to pack up DH and the kitties  in the trailer and enjoy some quiet time 
unwinding in the  mountains!
 
Mary