Quick Set Up Awning for TVAN Mark 11 and 111

[wolfgirlkitty]

Hi There !!  My name's Baron, and my wife (wolfgirlkitty) and I own a 2005 TVan.  We purchased it second hand a few years ago, and were lucky enough to find one with "the lot" !!  It came with, amongst other things, the full awning and annexe.  Don't know about you, but boy is that thing a pain in the rear to put up !!  So, I came up with a way to install a Quick Set Up Awning, using the awnings you can buy for the roof/sides of 4WDs.  This awning is installed on the side of the Tvan, with specially designed brackets, using anchor points / bolt holes already on the TVan ... no extra holes required !!  It is installed so that when you open up your TVan, it moves with the rear roof/door, and when the TVan roof is up, so is the awning (almost !!).  All you need to do is raise one pole (which is already installed on the TVan), and roll out the awning ... and there you go, you have an instant awning !!  It is simple to set up for lunch stops, it goes up (and down) in seconds.  We have testing it right through a four week trip through Central Australia, down the Old Ghan Rail Trail, and many other trips.  I wouldn't put anything onto the TVan if it wasn't worthy of being there.  Here are some photos, showing the awning in various positions.  If you would like to know more about this wonderful awning set up, please give me a call on 0425 710 512.

[Kevin]

Hi Baron
A rather nice looking setup. Is it something that can be removed relatively easily. e.g. if I do want to go away for a long weekend and use the original awning - can I take this thing off easily and leave it at home. Can the original awning still be fitted when yours is removed.
cheers
Kevin

[wolfgirlkitty]

Hi Kevin,
Thank you !!  Yes, you can still use your original awning whenever you want.  All you need to do is undo one nut at the back, and slide the front pole out of it's sleeve ... the whole awning is now removed.  It doesn't affect the existing annexe / awning setup at all.
Cheers,
Baron

[Rod1]

Hi Baron

Looks good - any chance of posting some close up photos of how you have attached the awning to the van?

Cheers
Rod

[wolfgirlkitty]

Hi Rod,

Our camper is away on a property at the moment, so it may take a few days to get photos.

However, we do have a few sets of the bracket system made up, if you are interested. Give us a call on the number above if you want more info.

Cheers,

Baron

[The Hueys]

G'day Baron,

Very clever, never thought of having one that moved with the hatch to get the extra height.

Is the front attached to the pole with some sort of swinging bracket to accommodate the movement when opening the hatch?

Regards,

Craig

[wolfgirlkitty]

Hi Craig,

Thanks !!  Yes, it is attached to a swing arm/bracket.  Works perfectly and effortlessly !!

Regards,

Baron

[burgo]

Great idea Baron, ive been thinking along these lines as  the track awning is  quite fiddly. I wiould like to see a photo of the bracket, would you mind posting one?

Thanks,

Burgo

[wolfgirlkitty]

Hi Burgo !

Don't currently have any close up photos of the bracket, but if you'd like to give me a call on 0425 710 512, I would be happy to give you more information.

Thanks,

Baron

[talawana]

Thank you Baron for sharing your awning, I can't wait to show Ron "I want one" .

Cheers

[wolfgirlkitty]

You are welcome !!

[Mal.W]

A great set up and worth considering.
Just a word of warning. We had a similar unit mounted at three points to a roof-rack. With constant corrugations the aluminium rivets that hold the awning to the mounting track just fell to bits. I replaced them with stainless round head bolts and Nylock nuts.

Cheers
Mal

[wolfgirlkitty]

Thanks for the info ... will keep that in mind !!

[Philh]

Baron

Great idea, looking at the numbers of views to your pictures, you have generated a lot of interest.

You have noone to blame but yourself! Now you just have to get some pictures of the mounting brackets.
cheers
Phil

[ftg racing]

I had Baron fit one up for me today ...  I must say i am impressed with the workmanship, design and price !!
I have been wanting to make a mount like this since i first bought my Tvan, but for the price of this I couldn't see the point of designing and making one myself.
Nice to meet you Baron and thanks for a great product and excellent service