|
|
|
|
Maxwell did not come with any awnings. Fortunately there was an awning rail though.  I really had my heart set on an 'old-timey', canvas, tent-pole style awning rather than a new Zip Dee. For the entire step-step-by-step story on how we came to this decision, check out the Vintage Looking Awnings thread on AirstreamForums.com Basically, after researching e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g we could find, in May of 2004 we were all ready to order one up and the fridge went out. That's a whole other story....but suffice it to say, you can camp without an awning easier than without a fridge...so the awning budget went towards fixing the fridge. |
|
| In
the meantime, a friend bought a 'new to him' trailer that came with a
vinyl tent-style awning. He was planning on purchasing a Zip
Dee so he gave us the vinyl one to use as a temporary
solution. We couldn't wait to check it out, so we set it up in the back yard!  While it wasn't exactly what we had in mind for a long-term solution...it certatinly was better than NO awning. It also let us figure out if thaking the awning up and down was really as troublesome as some folks had said....it wasn't. So off for a real-world outing! |
|
 |
|
|
It worked great! Even in windy Wyoming. The only real issue with it was it was 10' wide and our awning rail is only 9' wide, so about 6" hung out each end. We use three poles along the front & five guy lines, stakes and
tensioners - two on each corner & one in the center. We got them
all and the 1/8" nylon rope from REI. Here are links to the REI website
with exactly what we got: We used this awning the entire summer of 2004...thanks Forrest! |
|
At the 2004 Rocky Mountain Vintage Club Rally, we met Jack & Linda Laughlin and their '56 Bubble which had the p-e-r-f-e-c-t awning!  They were kind enough to share where they ordered it ~  click on image for link |
|
|
Okay,
so spring 2005 starts to roll in and I am determined to get going on
this. TCT&A was wonderful to work with.
Their website was easy to navigate and Tonya was terrific!
You can pick your fabric, edge trim color, scallop pattern, etc. Here's what we picked: Sunbrella Fabric - #4781 Aquamarine/Natural Splash  Valance Type 'M' - Length 8"  The poles, stakes & tensioners were all re-used from the first vinyl awning. We corresponded back & forth a couple of times and then I placed the order in March...two weeks later our "perfect awning" arrives, in plenty of time for our May Maintenance Rally. But of course...we couldn't wait to put it up til then so we did at home!  Then at the rally ~  This was the first rally Shari set it up all by herself...not bad although I've gotten much faster & much better at getting it level since then.  Rocky Mountain Vintage Airstream Club Rally 2005 | |
|
We also ordered extra Sunbrella fabric so I could make the matching window awnings... They have little pockets on the bottom corners that fit over the frame and they snap on the top corners. I ordered 1 yard per window and had enough left over to make a bag to store them in and a pole bag. These really add to the vintage look we were after...and they also make the windows easier to see so you don't bump into them!.  Taos, New Mexico | |
 I love the look...a nice spot for dinner, huh?!  I think the effect from the inside is pretty cool too ~ |
|
 The End! |
|
