Temporary Shade

You are holidaying in the tropics, you have pulled into a caravan site with no trees and all you want is a bit of shade near the A'van door entrance.   You watch in envy as your fellow caravanners roll out their full-length awning mounted on the roof of a pop-top caravan, or on the side of their motor-home.   However, if you only want temporary shade on the door side of the A'van, there is a solution.

Temporary shade erected on A'van
(unable to show tight owing to space restrictions)

Materials:

Shade Cloth (go for maximum UV protection) from Bunnings - approx size 1800 mm square.

Cloth duct tape, (or other suitable edging material)

Anchor locking clips (2) - caravan accessories supplier

Hole punch & metal reinforcement clips

Removable secure plastic dowel and rope for rear roof bracing.

Awning poles, ropes and stakes.

Procedures:

Because the roof collapses, one over the other, it is not possible to incorporate a permanent secure point on the rear roof panel.   Any fitting must be able to be removed.   The shade awning can be fitted with the roof partly extended, and when fully extended this will tighten, (if measured correctly), across the side of the A'van.

Cut shade cloth to suit size of area that you want covered.

Use cloth duct tape or other suitable material to bind edges.   This can also be sewn.

Fit anchor locking clips to front roof area.   This is a matter of trial & error.   Don't drill until you are sure its OK.   Remember the shade cloth needs to clear an open door and therefore the fittings must be mounted accordingly.

Shade cloth front fitting

At the front it is possible to off set the two anchor locking clips so that the shade cloth is secured in two directions.   Now punch the FRONT holes out in the shade cloth & fit metal reinforcement rings.

Shade cloth rear fitting

For the other side it is possible just to put a reinforced ring in one corner, tie a piece of rope to it and tie the other end to the right side rear bumper bar.   Unfortunately this will slip down and it won't look too good.   Alternatively, I fitted a removable plastic dowel the same size of the reinforcement ring.   This keeps the shade cloth taut across the window & door, with the rope added for extra bracing.

Fit reinforced rings at other two corners of shade cloth, and utilise awning poles as the norm for your annex.

Dennis Thornton (2903)