Making a Camper Awning

Having your own camper can allow you to enjoy memorable trips with your friends and family. Having an awning for your camper can help to make the trip more enjoyable by protecting you from the sun, rain and other natural elements. When you make your own camper awning, you can customize the look, colors and type of awning to fit your needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

8-foot tarp Three rods 1/4-inch in diameter and 8 feet long One 12-foot long rod Two tent poles Two clamps with rubber tips Four 1/2-inch PVC corners with three holes Scissors Marker or pencil
8-foot tarp
Three rods 1/4-inch in diameter and 8 feet long
One 12-foot long rod
Two tent poles
Two clamps with rubber tips
Four 1/2-inch PVC corners with three holes
Scissors
Marker or pencil

Step 1

Remove the grommets from the tarp. A tarp generally comes with grommets sewn on the four corners. You need to remove the grommets by cutting them away.

Step 2

Measure and mark a line 1-inch from the sides and mark with a marker or pencil. Fold the tarp on the line that you have marked.

Step 3

Sew it. With the outer edge of the tarp now on the folded line that you marked, sew a straight seam so that the outer edge of the tarp becomes fixed on the marked line. Be sure to use your discretion so that the size of the seams would allow a 1/4-inch rod to fit through them. Repeat this step on all sides of the tarp.

Step 4

Push the rods through the seams. Once the seams are done, you can now insert the rods in to their position. Do this by pushing the rods gently into the seams. The longest rod should go into the seam that will be positioned against the outside wall of the camper where the awning will be placed.

Step 5

Attach two clamps to the camper wall where the awning will be placed. This will hold the awning in place. Be sure to have a 10 to 12 feet space between the clamps. Make sure that the clamps are perfectly in line with each other so the awning will not be straight and stable.

Step 6

Place the PVC corners at the corners of the tarp. Sew the PVC corners to the underside of the tarp in each corner. This strengthens the awning because it prevents the tarp from ripping at the corners. Also, the PVC corners create a vice for holding the ends of the rods you have inserted through the trap sides firmly. Insert the ends of the rods into the PVC corners.

Step 7

Clamp the awning into position and hold the other end up with tent poles. Clamp the awning into position with the longest rod being clamped. You can hold the awning up on the outer side by supporting the other two corners with two tent poles. You can push the tent poles into the ground.

Tips & Warnings

Use clamps that have rubber tips to avoid chipping the paint of the camper. Be sure the clamps are in line with each other to ensure the stability of the awning.

Use clamps that have rubber tips to avoid chipping the paint of the camper.

Be sure the clamps are in line with each other to ensure the stability of the awning.

Article Written By Kristie Lorette

Kristie Lorette started writing professionally in 1996. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and multinational business from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Her work has appeared online at Bill Savings, Money Smart Life and Mortgage Loan.

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