Cheap awning for MCI

[peterbylt]

We wanted an awning but the $1000.00+ cost for a Carefree or Dometic of the size we wanted was just a little too much to justify at the time.

If you have an MCI with the drip rail along the upper edge this option for around $50.00 might work for you, we are very happy with it.

The Midget Panel Clamps with thumb screw mount on the upper edge of the Drip rail.

The S hooks go through them and hook into the tarp.

The legs I used were telescoping legs salvaged from an expandable pavilion we had that was destroyed in a wind storm a few years ago, any type of pole or post of the appropriate height will work.

The tarp is from Harbor freight, any tarp will work.

To further cut costs you could use rope instead of the tie down straps I used.

The only other thing you need is a ladder to get up and hook the S hooks through the clamps into the Tarp, I leave the clamps on there, setup or breakdown takes about ten minutes.

Maybe someone can come up with an easier method of hooking the tarp to the drip rail that doesn't involve a ladder?

It has held up very nicely and survived storms that would have destroyed other awnings on previous RVs.

Setup is more work than just pressing a button like on the newer RV awnings, but we are quite happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Small-clamp-ideal-panels-pillars/dp/B00ATPO7MI/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B00ATPO7MI&psc=1
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bulldog-Hardware-7-1-1-2-in-S-Hook-Zinc-Plated-6-Pack/17474235
https://www.harborfreight.com/9-ft-6-inch-x-11-ft-4-inch-reflective-heavy-duty-silver-tarpaulin-30874.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-capacity-1-in-x-15-ft-ratcheting-tie-downs-4-pk-63094.html?_br_psugg_q=tie+down+strap

Peter

[windtrader]

Nice and a benefit, at least to me, is keeping the lines clean without those awning housing bolted to the exterior.

[chessie4905]

We did this with our IC-41 Brill. It had a drip edge. Dont recall how we attached it anymore, but had 3 1" 8ft water pipes with caps on one end with 1/4" stud sticking out of each. Used thin rope to tension and secure. Awning was blue and white. Worked nice  at the time as we were pretty poor with money back then.

[lostagain]

If I was building a bus, I would not do a patio awning, just window awnings. And carry a tent shelter to set up beside the bus for shade and against rain, mosquitoes, etc.

[buswarrior]

Thanks for this post.

I don't enjoy looking at awning arms in the mirror...

Stand-alone pop-up is way easier to get set-up and keep the bugs out, in the height of that season.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[dtcerrato]

Our old style straight arm awning is on the bus 40 years now. We love it. No buttons, no power, all manual and takes 3 minutes to roll out. When rafter armed & strapped it will take lots of high wind. It's attached & increases the living space. Real nice when full timing... Optional attachments - screen room or sunscreen. Usually becomes the shelter over the campsite picnic table.

[Dave5Cs]

Same as Dan exactly except we had ours ripped back under the alumashield in the AZ big winds and have to replace the fabric. $394.00 but the last one lasted at least 20 years from talking to the PO. and 12 years for us. 
We had a popup real nice EZ up and at two parks they told us to put them away because of insurance they can not use them. In winds they can take off or damage someone else's coach.

[luvrbus]

I have 2 -20ft awnings on the top of our RV no arms, only tried to roll one out and it hung up so we just use the window awnings.To me it was down right stupid for Country Coach to install 10 different awnings on a RV. All the awnings are electric or automatic except 1 that is over the door believe it or not you hand crank it out and end lol I stepped on the handle and broke the end that crank was 75 bucks

[luvrbus]

I have 2 -20ft awnings on the top of our RV no arms, only tried to roll one out and it hung up so we just use the window awnings.To me it was down right stupid for Country Coach to install 10 different awnings on a RV. All the awnings are electric or automatic except 1 that is over the door believe it or not you hand crank it out and end lol I stepped on the handle and broke the end that crank was 75 bucks

[Jim Blackwood]

I like having an awning, and feel it really needs to cover the door/ entry area so that you can run in out of the wind and rain and get settled before going in the bus.

Jim