The camper trailer has a 'Batwing' awning attached to the left side of the rooftop tent case. When extended it provides shade to the left side of the trailer and the rear. There are two basic designs for Batwing awnings. They are either free standing or non free standing. The latter requires vertical tent poles at the end of each horizontal pole to support the weight of the open awning. Without the vertical poles the awning hinge would likely break under the load. These awning also come in two price ranges. Very expensive and cheap. Of course the one on our trailer is both non free standing and cheap! If I was going to live in the camper trailer I'd probably have purchased a free standing expensive model. As that isn't the case I've done the opposite.
This is the awning structure with it partially opened and upside down.
This next photo shows the hinge. It isn't designed to support the open awning
When extending the awning a vertical tent pole needs to be inserted into the end of each of the four horizontal support poles. This next photo shows one of the pole inserted into a horizontal support pole. Of course it's upside down.
What is the problem with this awning that precludes me from using it more frequently?
When extending the awning I need to use my left arm to support the weight of the poles and fabric. My right hand carries the vertical poles and my third arm is then used to insert each of the vertical poles into the end of each horizontal pole. The problem is…. I don't have a third arm!
The plan is to modify the awning by having the vertical poles hinged to the ends of the horizontal poles. Something like in the photo below. A clip will be attached to the folded vertical pole securing it to the horizontal pole when stored for travel.
The ends of the horizontal poles don't have the required fitting to achieve this.
The awning came with four spreader poles that fit between the ends of the horizontal poles. The make the outer edge of the awning rigid. As far as I'm concerned these pole are useless as they allow rain to pond in the middle of the awning.
However each of these spreader poles has a male and female fitting at either end.
By removing these fittings from the spreader poles I have four pair of male and female fittings.
I made four links from some aluminium angle left over from the DIY swimming pool heater.
The plan is to remove the existing ends from the horizontal and vertical poles replacing them with my new folding elbow connectors
Open position
Closed position
Tomorrow I'll go to the hardware store and buys suitable nut's, bolts and washers along with some Sikaflex.
All going well the existing three handed awning will be converted to a two handed task and 'hopefully' get more frequent use!
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