Bunk End Awnings almost complete!

ChibullsAN · 03-10-2016, 02:29 PM

I figured I would post my progress so far on my latest project. I have decided to create awnings for my Bunk Ends. I do not like the solar blankets thrown and clamped over the bunks, as it doesn't look very 'nice' to me anyways

. So I decided to create my own awnings.

They attach on each end in about 2 mins and come off in less than a minute before leaving camp. There are 4 webbing attachment points for each bunk, 1 steel frame pole for each awning that is attached into a mounting point on the bunk itself. Each vinyl awning has a 2" gap from the existing bunk vinyl across each surface to maintain the stock look and shape.

I still need to paint the awning frame and finish sewing the fronts pieces to each awning, but so far they have been on the trailer in the rain, snow and ~40mph winds for 2 weeks now with no rips, tear or issues (which was an accident to leave in the high winds, but I learned that they can easily handle that).

These will keep my bunk ends so much cooler during the summer and provide the rain and dew protection I desire. Plus when I am finished the colors match and the design doesn't look too bad either, but i'll wait to be truly happy until the final touches are on it to clean up the loose ends. Plus they will also block the street lights or other night lights out of the bunk for a darker room feel.

I have been thinking of taking these to a local awning, bimini top and boat cover manufacturer and seeing what the effort and cost would be to make more if I truly like them and other want them. But so far so good. Ill try to keep you posted.

MiCamper6 · 03-10-2016, 02:34 PM

Looks like a great idea!

bb920 · 03-10-2016, 02:40 PM

Wish I had something like that on my Kodiak back in the day. Looks nice. Good thought.

wicked1 · 03-10-2016, 02:44 PM

The ends are nice and I do not like the look of Pugs, prefer the natural look of the ends, but sometimes we don't even put them out if it is too cold, or Very hot seems to be a waste of energy. This is my second season with the Roo 23ikss so we have to try different things, first weekend out in NJ is 4-1 to 4-3 so we will see how cold it is. We do most of the camping in May-November anyway.

2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

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rfd15 · 03-10-2016, 02:49 PM

Wow!! Those things look fantastic. I too don't like the look of the Pugs... Great job!! Good luck!!

2016 233s, 2010 Tundra 5.7L

Pill Billy · 03-10-2016, 02:53 PM

More pics please?

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CNYCamper · 03-10-2016, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pill Billy

More pics please?

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X2

We were just getting ready to order PUGS. Now you have me rethinking this.
Does your cover have any thermal quality? My primary interest in PUGS was to help contain heat in my camper in cold weather.

Regardless, looks like a very nice idea and execution.

ChibullsAN · 03-10-2016, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNYCamper

X2

We were just getting ready to order PUGS. Now you have me rethinking this.
Does your cover have any thermal quality? My primary interest in PUGS was to help contain heat in my camper in cold weather.

Regardless, looks like a very nice idea and execution.

Thanks, I will have more pictures when I get a few more details done in the next week.

I still need time on them to ensure what their advantages are in different weather, but so far ... keeps bunks perfectly dry (except for the exposed bunk sides), keeps the bunk room shaded from direct sun heat, keeps the wind from buffeting the bunk on the top, and keeps the bunk darker at night, also allows you to open the windows in the rain.

What I want to see is if it keeps the bunk somewhat warmer (but remember these bunks and awnings are just canvas and vinyl) they wont ever keep much heat in.

I definitely will send more pictures of the prototype. Maybe Ill take a video or something next week when i finish them to show how easy it is to install them and set them up.

If I were to guess about availability to others (if they end up working out and looking good), I would have a shop to manufacture them sometime by the summer.

**bikendan** · 03-10-2016, 04:30 PM

If these work out, I could see you competing with Popup Gizmos for the Hybrid and Popup market.

urocav2001 · 03-10-2016, 05:16 PM

Those look awesome! Please more pics..

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ChibullsAN · 03-10-2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

If these work out, I could see you competing with Popup Gizmos for the Hybrid and Popup market.

Maybe but the cost will be higher and there is some hardware that needs to be mounted. Some people are scared to drill into the walls or bunks. So there might be a niche, but its not going to be huge. But if my efforts go to make others happy and enjoy their time in the hybrid camper, then I am happy to keep going down this path to make them perfect and producible.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Nccamper · 03-10-2016, 06:04 PM

I like!

RooVader · 03-10-2016, 06:16 PM

Love it! I could be talked into ditching my pugs for this...nice work! I don't mind the pugs at all and will continue using them but this is another level.

rockfordroo · 03-10-2016, 07:03 PM

They look great. I suspect they won't do much for cold weather, but for hot, they should work out well.

cpd1343 · 03-11-2016, 06:02 AM

I, for one, would be interested in a set. I would some more info/pics on how these attach to the camper wall/bunk ends.

ChibullsAN · 03-11-2016, 09:51 AM

So I have taken a few pictures after the good rain we had yesterday and last night. Remember these are prototypes and they are in process.

The first pictures are of the rear bunk and how the awning looks from outside and above. You can see how the awning attaches. It uses the same type of track system the main trailer awning uses. This track is vinyl and is screwed and siliconed to the trailer. To put the awning up, you just open the bunk, unzip the rear window and screen, and walk out onto the bunk platform. The awning slides into that track in just a few seconds.

The awning frame or pole is in 4 pieces for easy storage and assembly. The 2 straight poles screw into the bunk brackets in 4 turns, then the bent frame is slid into the awning loops, then the poles slide together.

The last pictures show the attachment point of the side flap of the awning to the trailer. This is a simple D-ring screwed and siliconed to the trailer. The strap here does not see much load and is only to keep the awning from Flapping around (I may change this to a Bungee so the awning cant be over tightened). The main straps that do the work are around front of the awning and pull the poles down, which tighten the awning. Which has a (not shown) simple bracket on the bunk door that the webbing strap attaches to so the awning can be drawn tight.

And the last picture shows the awning frame attachment bracket. This has a large nut on the end where the poles attach. This bracket slides so when the bunk is closed, the bracket does not interfere with the closing latch mechanism.

All in all I love it so far. I was in the trailer in the rain last night admiring how the bunk actually didn't seem as loud when the rain was coming down in buckets. Then I proceeded to open the windows on all sides about 6-8" to let a breeze come through while it rained. I just smiled to think of all the times i could have used that when it was raining before. I think these will be great for me and if I can finish them this weekend, I cant wait to step back and admire the looks too.

KMP44 · 03-11-2016, 10:05 AM

Nice. Using the awning rail on the trailer ends was brilliant!

My big question is does this setup work as well as the PUGS for preventing condensation? Once you get to try them in some colder temps with the heat on, let us know. I don't really like the looks of the PUGS and I only use them in the spring and fall when its cooler to prevent condensation. My son took one look at the PUGS & reflectix for the windows when I bought them and asked me if I was worried about aliens & UFO's...

Really like how you did that.

Mr Havercamp · 03-11-2016, 10:50 AM

What an awesome mod....who did the sewing?

CNYCamper · 03-11-2016, 11:15 AM

I see that rail also acting as a mini rain gutter. This is a mod I could have come up with given enough years and a larger brain. Speaking of brains, if the powers that be at FR have half a one they'll try to add you to their design team.

wicked1 · 03-11-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNYCamper

I see that rail also acting as a mini rain gutter. This is a mod I could have come up with given enough years and a larger brain. Speaking of brains, if the powers that be at FR have half a one they'll try to add you to their design team.

Surprised no one thought of this or adding small electric awnings to the front and back tent ends? I guess they don't to keep the prices down however they need a better design, this one is Awesome though

2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

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