Attached Awning Tutorial

I have had many requests for a tutorial on the outdoor awnings I create in my campers. Here is the FYI on how I did them.

 

This is the seam on the roof where the two roof panels come together. There are barely visible screws there where you know there will be wood underneath. In my case when I had this camper gutted I sistered a piece of wood to the existing piece because I knew I was going to do this. If your ceiling is not ripped down inside the chances of catching wood on or right next to this seam are good. You can do a pilot hole first to see if you hit something. Be sure to caulk it after you do.

This is the C Channel that I bought from my trailer guy and we added a full strip of butyl tape to it before installing it on the ceiling with #8 stainless steel screws.

 

You can see that I butted the C Channel up to the existing seam where I added the support wood underneath. I think it would be possible to install this on top of the seam that is already there if you are unable to add wood from inside.

 

Once that channel is installed I want to get the measurement for the actual awning length. I placed the end of the tape measure into the channel and tape it in place. This saves on multiple trips up and down the ladder as well as swearing!

Once this is taped on, I place the awning pole in the flag holder and adjust it to where I think I would like the awning to come out to.

I drape the tape measure over the end and get the measurement of what the awning length will be. Let the tape hang down as long as you want the awning to hang over.

Sorry for the blurriness. I took this picture 5 times in 98 degree NJ humidity! You get the idea. Rod pocket will need to be at the 77.5 inch mark.

First thing in any sewing job is starting with a square edge. Measure three times, cut once!! Sewing is like carpentry. Squared things fit!!

Once I had a straight edge across the top I measured the length of the awning added extra inches for the rod pocket on the top and the overhang on the draped end. In this case I cut it at 94 inches.

I then folded the fabric over on itself and cut it at the fold on the top.

I cut the bottom at the 94 inches leaving myself with two 61 x 94 inch pieces. It's 61 inches here because that just happens to be what this fabric was. Normally most fabrics are 54 inches.

I sewed the two pieces together (right sides together) and then made another seam right over the first one to strengthen it. Resist the urge to sew it a third time. That pokes too many holes in the fabric and actually weakens it.

 

Once the two pieces were sewn together I pressed open the center seam and sewed it down.

I actually sewed this seam twice on each side; once on the inside and then on the outside of the seam.

The finished width of this particular awning needed to be between 74 and 76 inches. There is room for error here. The trailer is 78 inches wide and I think I cut the C Channel at 76 inches. I left room here to roll the seam over twice for a nice finished edge.

I again sewed these outer seams twice; once on the inside of the rolled over edge and then again just for strength and good measure I did it again on the outer edge.

 

I folded over the top of the awing by 3/4 inches and then again because I just don't like raw edges.

 

 

I did the extra step here of sewing down the inner seam one more time at the top 12 inches.   I do this because once the rod pocket is sewed and you try to insert the rod,  it can get hung up on even a little piece of fabric that can fold over. Small step that saves aggravation.

I use threaded 1/2 inch steel rods from Lowes for the inside. I like the way that the threading grips the interior of the fabric but you can use the specific awning material if you want. This costs less than $2 though and does the same thing. In addition to that I don't have to order it, wait for it and pay shipping. Winning!

I made the awning rod pocket 3/4 inches but folded it over three inches.

I made the rod pocket sleeve from the salvaged fabric that I cut off the sides when I reduced the width. I cut a 10 inch width of fabric and made a tube which I then turned inside out and pressed.

 

 

I then sewed the open ends of the tube closed.

 

I then marked the spot that would be the middle of the rod pocket and marked it with a pin.

 

 

I drew a pencil line 10 inches from the bottom all the way across the fabric so that I could use it as a guide to sew the rod pocket down, first across the bottom on the line and then just by smoothing it across I sewed the top of it down. I then added fringe to the overhang.

All of these pipes and couplings were purchased at Lowe's in the plumbing department. I cut them to the needed lengths.

 

After figuring out the lengths I needed I secured the poles together with these couplings.

 

These are the flag poles that I installed on the outside to receive the awning piping. I like these because the angle is adjustable and the water runs through them at the attachment point. I did put butyl tape behind them too.  Because I knew I would be adding these I installed added wood from the interior while the walls were off inside. They are fairly close to the edge though so I think you could hit wood with the two outside screws if you are installing after the fact. Once the poles are in, I tighten them with the set screw attached. The hole is for a larger pipe but I did not want that weight. I have had no trouble with the smaller pipe in this tube.

 

The outdoor kitchen and awning on my 1970 Go Tag Along.

 

 

My 1966 Go Tag Along at the Ohio Country Living Fair all set up with the tutorial awning and my kitchen.

From an angle at which you can see how the awning looks set up. It is just great not having those poles and wires that are always tripping people up.

And one more favorite feature of my outdoor kitchen is this solar water bag that I leave on the flag pole and then use to rinse my dishes when I am cleaning up!

 

I hope this was helpful to the many who asked for a tutorial. If I have left anything out please comment and I will try to answer any questions.

Happy Trails,  Janine

 

 

 

 

And a thankful shout out to my patient husband. He is the sous chef of my trailer kitchens!

 

The Lake House Trailer "After" Pictures

I have always loved lake houses and am not likely to ever have one so I decorated my "new" trailer in a lake house mood.

The outdoor awning! I love an outdoor kitchen. I mounted the flag poles so I have no poles and guide wires!

Took out the stove and put in a sink. The fridge and microwave go under the sink when it is not on display. 

My "fireplace".  A duraflame heater that is 750 or 1500 watts.

My alcove bed. 

My sweet husband made this table out of wood I have been saving for 5 years! 

My little breakfast nook! 

The details! Antler towel holder!

Wallpapered ceiling and nook shelf!

A six dollar collander turned into a lamp

Vintage hardware from my collection on old shutters

Here We Go Again

It's true! Even I didn't think I would never renovate a trailer again but the plan was to take a longer break than 6 weeks!! Trailers have a way of popping up though and this classic 1966 Go Tag Along was right here in my own town. I couldn't resist.

The plan from now on is to just gut them. Now that I have done it once I think it is easier and it gives me more peace of mind when I sell them. I can tell the buyer that I replaced absolutely everything!

Here she is! 10.5  feet with another 2' for the tongue.

Ugly, uglier and ugliest! They all apply here.

The original kitchen.

There was a bunk over the back bed that was very low and all the wood on the back wall was quite squishy! The official term for "has to go"!

Lunch anyone?

After my dear hubby pulled out the back wall,  the wood "supporting"  the wall over the windows disintegrated in his hands. The leak stemmed from the running lights. Even if it seems as if there is no water coming in the lights should be taken off every few years and new buytl tape put on . This is preferrable to just caulking them.

There was no water damage on side walls but the back left floor was rotted out.

And here is a sneak peak at the inspiration for the new interior. Just a hint. Lots of work to do before the fun part!!

Objection #2 - I don't know how to tow

Many women we meet at campgrounds and events express the most wonderment over the fact that we towed the trailers to our location by ourselves. They can't imagine doing that.  In overcoming this objection (which is really fear) I want to first focus on the bewildering aspect.

Everything that we don't know how to do holds a sense to us, that there is some secret skill or God given attribute that the person who knows how to do it has that we don't. Those who are not athletic are in awe of people willing to run 26 miles for fun. If you can't make it to the mailbox without rapid heartbeat the idea of becoming a marathon runner yourself seems impossible. The thing to remember is that the runner did not wake up one morning and run 26 miles. There is a START point  in all new things and with towing it is this.

 

 

Adopt the attitude that you will learn how to do this and you will be successful at it. I learned a great deal of skills from my dad who was,  and still is, a classic 1960's dad who did all the home repairs and renovations himself. I oftened helped him in his basement workshop and even as a kid I can remember thinking that my dad, who was not a carpenter by trade, knew how to do a lot things that he was not employed at doing.  I asked him one day how he knew that he could make all the kitchen cabinets in our house and his reply changed my life!  He said, "Well...I looked at the guy who does this for a living and I said to myself...when he gets up in the morning he puts his pants on one leg at a time. I put my pants on one leg at a time so, I guess I can do this too".

The life changing part,  that I did not realize was life changing at the time,  was that I started to look at things that I wanted to do and didn't know how to do,  with the attitude that I will just have to learn this.   Towing is a learned skill like any other.  You start off slowly and build up. You learn the basics and you build from there. You start in your church parking lot and then you begin towing around your neighborhood. You hook up and unhook your trailer 20 times until you feel that you've got it down. You pick a time of day when traffic is low in your area and you practice getting on and off the highway. You drive two towns over and park in the far end of the shopping center and pull out again. You get a friend that tows and you ask them to encourage you and to ride shot gun with you and talk you through it. You start by reading everything you can about it and having information. Knowledge reduces fear. You watch Youtube videos that give tips.

 

http://howto.curtmfg.com/Pages/index.cfm.20.html

Uhaul has some great videos that give good information that you should have before you start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZkjOGIP85o&index=27&list=PL023786C1FEAFE54C

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8DRC_fWSg&index=28&list=PL023786C1FEAFE54C

 

The most important thing to have is the attitude that you can and will do this. Remind yourself that it is being done everyday. The women who are camping and towing and doing things and going places had a starting point. There was a time in which they knew nothing at all about it. My friend Mary was such a person. She was fascinated by the whole sister on the fly, girl camper movement and thought it was a cool thing that other people did. I kept telling her to join us and she kept saying, "I don't have a camper. I don't know how to tow. I've never left my family before."   With encouragement and patience Mary learned to tow, bought a camper and is now going places and doing things with her girl camper friends and with her family too. Mary has converted her family into campers. She overcame her fear and took it one step at a time. This same Mary who was so shy that she wouldn't ask a question at a PTA meeting,  is going to Wyoming next week to learn how to rope and ride and brand and barrel race. It all starts someplace. It's one step at a time. Just start today by reading about it.  Slow and steady does win the race.

 

Happy Trails

Objection #3 - I don't have anyone in my life to help me fix up a trailer

My dream has come true ! Shasta is reissuing their iconic 1961 Airflyte! One of my favorite all time travel trailers. The reissue was designed in honor of the company's 75th anniversary and will meet all current building codes while mantaining the vintage appeal right down to the log cabin siding and jalousie windows. 

the original classic yellow

 

Objection #1 - "I don't have a trailer".

For those that believe that girl camping is all about the trailer I would like to share with you some pictures of women whose spirit is bigger than their budgets. They are not letting the lack of a trailer stop them from having girl fun. I really admire these women who have a very "can do" attitude and just want to be out there doing things and going places. They join in all the fun without the worry of towing and leveling and hooking up and backing in. It's more about the people and places and less about the things, although their things are beautiful!

Some tents are homemade. Some are store bought and glamped up. Some girl campers choose to rent a cabin or stay at a local B & B and visit the campsite. The point is to not let the lack of a camper keep you from enjoying all the fellowship and comraderie of women doing things together. It is actually better to go to these events without a trailer and ask questions about where to get a trailer, what a buyer should ask a seller, what is a reasonable amount to pay? Acquire lots of information. Know your likes and dislikes. Learn what features you want in a trailer. Decide if you want to go vintage or buy new and customize it to fit your style.  Keep an open attitude and go camping with the idea that you want to be part of the great outdoors with people who do that with alot more pinache than most!!