|
|
|
This website is no longer actively updated.
It has been left as a reference point only.
|
Constructing an Easy Erection Sportliner Awning |
 |
|
Finished awning on an A'van Sportliner |
|
The awning supplied by A'van Campers for the Sportliner, whilst of good quality, has in our opinion, a number of shortcomings: 1. The Sportliner itself can be opened up in seconds, but putting up the awning can take quite some time, and of course involves not only the canvas itself but poles (3), guy ropes (6), guy rope runners (6), pegs (6) and preferably guy rope tension absorbers (6). 2. With the awning fitted, inside the Sportliner can feel somewhat claustrophobic, and any view out on that side of the van is all but lost. 3. It is not uncommon to find oneself tripping over the ropes, especially when coming back to the van in the dark after a social gathering in the camp kitchen! However, it was not until we saw a photograph on the Around Oz web site of a self-supporting awning on an American A'liner did the grey cells start to stir. Also, having close friends owning a Jayco pop-top with integral pull out blind, and who take great delight in demonstrating the simplicity of their system, helped give the necessary final nudge to see what we could come up with. The picture below shows the final product fitted to our van. The dimensions are based on what we felt we needed, and what looked "balanced" on the Sportliner. |
|
|
| The above drawing, covering our requirements, was given to a canvas products manufacturer to have the canvas portion made up for us. Click here for a larger view. |
 |
| Picture above shows the supporting arrangement. Aluminium tubing (20mm dia, 1mm wall thickness) attached to the van in three places as indicated provides the necessary support for the canvas. The three lower tubes sit in pockets in the canvas, whereas the two top tubes lie under the canvas as shown in the next picture. |
 |
|
This picture shows the view from inside the van (van side not erected). |
 |
| The picture above shows the arrangement used to fix the rear lower tube to the van. That end of the tube is "plugged" and pinned with a piece of steel rod (filed down to fit snugly), drilled and tapped to take the eye bolt. This provided some adjustment for the length and alignment of the tube to the bracket on the van. The front lower tube fixing arrangement is identical. |
 |
| Above picture shows how the two top tubes are attached to the top eye bolt. The top ends of the tubes have been "flattened", radiused and aligned to sit square on the top eye bolt. |
 |
| The above picture details the location of the top eye bolt which is lock-nutted to the roof side channel. Care is needed to ensure there is no interference between the internal locknut, the roof channels and the van side when erected. |
 |
| Above picture details the awning support tube "corner" fixing arrangement. Each of the two top tubes are plugged, pinned, and tapped to take a turnbuckle (right hand thread end). This allows the canvas to be easily tensioned after assembly. |
 |
|
Picture above shows the tube end arrangement in greater detail. |
 |
| Picture above details the bracket (2-off) used to tie the two lower tube ends to the van. The brackets have been fabricated from 32mm x 3mm aluminium strip. Two thicknesses have been bonded together as shown and the bracket is "sandwiched" between the existing aluminium rope channel of the van roof and the roof side extrusion (picture-5). The hole is tapped to take the 6mm dia eye bolt. |
|
Our preferred method of putting up the awing is as follows: 1. Erect the van roof and sides. 2. Loosely fix the two top tubes to the top eye bolt. 3. Fit the canvas awning to the van roof as for the "standard" A'van awning (much easier when the roof is up on the Sportliner than on the A'liner) 4. Slide the lower middle tube into the canvas "pocket". 5. Slide the two lower end tubes into the canvas pockets, loosely fixing the van ends to their respective eye bolts. 6. In turn, attach the two top tubes to the two lower corners and tighten up all the fixings. 7. If necessary, adjust the turnbuckles to tension the canvas. No tools are required as all "fixing" uses eyebolts and wing nuts which can be tightened and loosened by hand. So far, we have found the arrangement adequately rigid, and completely satisfies our requirements. However, should additional bracing be desirable in very gusty weather, a simple guy rope on each of the two outer corners should suffice. The canvas cost us $302, and approximately $45 for tubing and stainless steel eye bolts and turnbuckles (a bit of a luxury, but they look quality and will see us out!). Keith and Pam Thomas |
|
|
|
Copyright 2001/2003 - all rights reserved -
Around
Oz www.around-oz.com
and www.aroundoz.com
For problems, suggestions or questions regarding this web contact
webmaster@around-oz.com
Last updated:
24-Jan-03
