The great awning project

bobofthenorth · April 04, 2009, 07:41:38 AM

We arrived in Mojave Valley Thursday afternoon & met Clifford & Sonja. They have been delightful and gracious hosts. Doyle (TexasBorderDude) is here rewiring his Eagle and the yard is full of Eagles. The frenchy-bus is literally surrounded by the American Eagle but we have a clear path to the gate so, in an emergency, we could always do what the french are famous for.

Yesterday "we" (and I use that term loosely because Clifford did all of the thinking and most of the work) installed an awning. There's a little bit of tinkering and cleaning up to do but that won't take long now. And it looks GOOD. Clifford's bus has been extensively raided for parts that ZipDee didn't ship for this awning - I'm afraid he'll be all summer getting it back in order. Today I need to make me a stick because, contrary to what he-who-puts-pails-over-his-wife's-head said, I'm not actually tall enough to unhook the latches.

JohnEd · April 04, 2009, 08:05:21 AM

Bob,

Looks great. How big is that awning?

John

Utahclaimjumper · April 04, 2009, 09:05:40 AM

Looks like a standard 8X18.>>>Dan

Van · April 04, 2009, 09:22:59 AM

Hi Bob,awning is looking good,glad you are having a great time down there,you are in good hands .Clifford and Sonja are quite the hosts,and I can't thank them enough for the help and hospitality.Looks like you finally caught a shot of Clifford in action(there ya go Don

),wish we were there to greet you ,have fun,by the way Clifford

is a great cook!

Please feel free to use any awning parts on Big Red

. Van

Dreamscape · April 04, 2009, 03:34:27 PM

Hey Bob, I told Clifford I needed parts for my Zip Dee Awning and he said "No Problem" I have lots of spares! I now know where he's getting them, Thanks Bob!

~Paul~

luvrbus · April 04, 2009, 04:06:53 PM

We didn't use but 3 parts from mine Zip/Dee didn't ship lower brackets and shipped all loop hooks, and after Bob left I found a bag of brackets and loops in the bus so I have a set of the lower brackets for you Paul, this guy is hard to help when installing items when it is at eye level for him for me it is arm length over my head lol

We had a nice visit with Bob and his wife he cooked us a very tasty shrimp and scallop dinner

good luck

Dreamscape · April 04, 2009, 04:18:53 PM

Clifford, Your place is turning into a Mecca for buses, I like it! And Bob's is the "Other" brand!

Is Doyle still there?

~Paul~

bobofthenorth · April 04, 2009, 09:03:51 PM

We made it over to Sedona and nothing fell off. That climb from Laughlin heading east is a lot of fun - separates the men from the boys pretty quickly. For entertainment we had a weekend warrior in a Penske rental that liked having a runaway on the downhills and somebody pulling wiggle-wagons who was using Mexican overdrive. Then 13 miles on the Jakes coming down from Flagstaff gave them a good workout too.

Tomorrow I'll see if I can remember how to extend the awning but if I run into trouble its just a quick 1-800-CLIFFORD. Thanks again Clifford and Sonja for your hospitality and generosity.

Next project - we've scrounged some solar panels north of Calgary. Just need to wait for the snow to melt so we can head north.

As for the dimensions - its an honest 20 feet long and by the looks of the picture of Clifford it must be about 8 feet that way or maybe a hair more.

Van · April 04, 2009, 09:18:31 PM

Hey Bob ,Try pulling that hill from Laughlin in mid summer ,115 + degree's

Singing Land Cruiser · April 04, 2009, 10:56:17 PM

Hey Bob, where did you buy it and how much does one go for? M&C

bobofthenorth · April 05, 2009, 07:35:44 AM

Michael I was quoted $4500 (canuckbux) for one installed in Saskatoon. Clifford took pity on the poor broke Canuck after we blew our engine last winter and kindly offered to give me this one if I showed up. So if you want to figure the total cost it was a blown engine ($16,000), tow to Vineland ($1,000), trip clear across the US ($???) and a shrimp dinner for Clifford, Sonja & Doyle (priceless). I never checked the price direct from ZipDee because I didn't have clue one about how to mount one. However, now that I have done one I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Dreamscape · April 05, 2009, 10:01:07 AM

Hey Bob, I'm gonna head down to Cliffords later this week, sorry I missed you. Have a great trip and enjoy the awning!

~Paul~

Van · April 05, 2009, 10:34:22 AM

Paul,Aren't you going to the rally in La ?

Dreamscape · April 05, 2009, 11:07:48 AM

Quote from: van on April 05, 2009, 10:34:22 AM
Paul,Aren't you going to the rally in La ?

Yip, gonna be there!

My dad gave me his pickup so I'm going to drive from Vancouver WA to Abilene and thought I'd stop by and say hi to Clifford and Sonja on the way!

You gonna be around?

~Paul~

Singing Land Cruiser · April 05, 2009, 12:16:51 PM

OK, If I don't need a engine, don't travel across the US, don't buy dinner,don't need a tow and I live in the USA. That would make the total cost of a new ZipDee; let me see, that + this, carry the 7 for a total of? Hey acording to your calcs, I just made about $12,477 dollars US. I'm telling Christi we are getting a awning. LOL All the Best, M&C